AutoCAD 2012: Reset Settings to Default

I found a great new feature today in AutoCAD 2012; Reset Settings to Default. In support I sometimes see users customize their profiles to the point where the customization begins to cause problems when working. In many of these cases the user forgot why the customizations were created in the first place. This includes lisp routines, command aliases, support paths, and.... the list goes on and on. I also see a lot of eager customers download and install the newest version of AutoCAD, launch the program and click through the “Migrate Custom Settings” dialog box which opens when AutoCAD is launched for the very first time. I typically recommend not migrating custom settings as I’ve seen it often lead to profile issues. This is especially true for users who are upgrading from a pre-2010 release (pre-ribbon). Who knows when these custom settings were created and for which release, 2010, 2004... R12?

So why do I like this new feature so much? Before the AutoCAD 2012 release I would have recommended performing a Repair on the installation. Instead it’s so much quicker to refer them to the Reset Settings to Default. A tool built specifically to resolve issues like these.



The Reset Settings to Default utility is located in Start> All Programs> Autodesk> AutoCAD 2012. It will not run if AutoCAD 2012 is open. Clicking on the utility will bring up a dialog box which gives you two options; backup and reset current custom settings, or just reset the custom settings.



After hitting OK AutoCAD will run through resetting process. It took me about two minutes for the entire process to finish. I’ll be using this one in support from now on. Enjoy!

Don’t forget to look through other great features our Ideate Technical Team has found in the new 2012 releases for Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, Revit Structure, Civil 3D, Navisworks and more: ideateinc.com/2012

Derek Wielkopolski
Technical Support Manager/Application Specialist
Derek holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Roger Williams University, Rhode Island. He is experienced working within the AEC industry from concept design through construction administration for both small and large scale projects. As Ideate’s Support Manager he ensures a timely and quality response to support requests and questions. Follow Derek on Twitter: @dwielk

Get it. Know it. Use it.