How to fix
Windows Settings keep resetting after restart
on Windows

Hello. Every time I restart my Windows PC the settings are reset. This is very annoying. Any way to fix this?

Many Windows users have encountered a persistent and frustrating issue where various settings within the Windows Settings menu reset to their default values after a system restart. This problem may appear in a variety of ways, impinging on important features of the user's settings. The Start menu being reset after a reboot, the Windows theme being reset, and default app settings returning to their defaults are some frequently encountered issues.

The effects of this problem can seriously impede a user's productivity and Windows system experience. For instance, users may have to continuously adjust their favorite programs for different file kinds and tasks if default app settings are reset after each restart, which can be inconvenient and ineffective. Users who make the effort to create a unique look and feel for their desktop environment may find the Windows theme resetting particularly inconvenient because they lose their carefully selected visual elements and modifications. The arrangement and accessibility of frequently used apps and shortcuts might also be affected by the Start menu reset.

For a fluid and user-friendly computer experience, these issues must be fixed. Although there are several potential fixes for these problems, like checking for system updates or resolving corrupted user profiles, it's critical to adapt the solution to the particular issue and system settings. To effectively fix these persistent Windows settings reset difficulties, users may need to investigate a combination of strategies, ranging from simple system upkeep to more complex troubleshooting methods.

In this guide, you will find 5 steps that should help you fix Windows Settings resetting after each restart. You can also run a system repair tool like [d1] that can fix most system errors, BSODs,[ref en-1] corrupted files, and registry[ref en-2] issues. Otherwise, follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Solution 1. Fix Corrupted System Files

Use Command Prompt commands to repair system file corruption:

• Open Command Prompt as administrator
• Use the following command and press Enter:
  sfc /scannow

• Reboot your system
• If SFC returned an error, then use the following command lines, pressing Enter after each:
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Solution 2. Fix the Corrupted User Profile

• Right-click the Windows logo button to open the context menu.
• Click on Run.
• In the text box, type regedit and press Enter.
• If a User Account Control window appears, select the Yes option.
• In Registry Editor, navigate to the following location:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

• Under the ProfileList folder, all user profiles on your computer are listed here, and each of these profiles corresponds to a user account.
• Select each S-1-5 folder and check if the username under Data corresponding to ProfileImagePath matches your current username.
• In the left panel, select the correct user profile.
• Double-click the State value from the right pane.
• In the new window, set up the value data to 0 and click OK.
• Duplicate the same process for the RefCount value.
• Restart your computer.
• Check if the issue has been resolved.

Solution 3. Run Startup Repair

• Press the Windows key + I keyboard shortcut to open Settings.
• Click Update & Security > Recovery.
• In the right panel, click Restart now under Advanced startup.

• Once the computer restarts, click Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the necessary actions.
• Then, check if the issue has been fixed.

Solution 4. Try Clean Boot

• Open the Search menu, type in system configuration, and press Enter.
• Under the Services tab, tick the Hide all Microsoft services box.

• Click on Disable all button.
• Head over to the Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager.
• Select a third-party program and click on Disable at the top.
• Repeat this step to disable all third-party apps and programs.
• Restart your PC to enter the clean boot state and see if the issue persists.
• If the issue disappeared in the clean boot state, then you can be certain that a third-party app is causing it.
• Go through all recently installed apps or programs and remove them one by one.

Solution 5. Uninstall the latest Windows Update

• Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
• Navigate to Windows Update.
• Click on Update history on the right.

• Scroll down to the bottom and click Uninstall updates.
• Locate the recently installed updates.
• Click the Uninstall option next to it.
• Click Uninstall in the prompt.
• Remember, you may have to uninstall a few updates before identifying the problematic one.