How do I stop Windows 11 continuously removing my preferences?

Question

How do I stop Windows 11 continuously removing my preferences?

Josh Docherty 0

This is absolutely infuriating me.

Every time I change my default browser in settings to Chrome, Windows 11 will revert it and all the other defaults back to Edge every time I restart my machine. Nothing I can do will fix this issue. I can't even edit the registry to change MSEdgeHTM to ChromeHTML because I'm denied access even as an administrator, so that doesnt work either.

I'm having the same issue with print-screen. Every time I restart my machine and need to print-screen something I get asked which tool I want to use. I set to 'always' and of course Windows 11 ignores that entirely and changes it back to nothing again next time, even when I go to settings and choose the tool myself.

Is anyone else having these persistent issues? How can an operating system get worse with every iteration. I've never had so many inconveniences like these since I upgraded to Win11 and I've had to spend hours trying to fix stuff like this just to have basic functionality working. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

2 answers

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Answer 1

MR_MEOW 3,536

Hello. I believe I know what this is. I will keep it pretty simple and I will just say. I think you installed an amnesic Windows. I was going to use the word persistent as in it forgets but it is not called that. This can happen when the files are read-only or there is lack of permissions for the change to happen. It honestly sounds like both are happening with your windows. I would suggest to back up all of your important cat photos to an external drive.

I would try to make a new user first just to see if that works out

Just go to C:\Windows\System32 - right click on cmd.exe and run as admin then type netplwiz.exe and hit enter and make a new user.

If that fails then at that point the best thing to do would be to reinstall windows. Then if that reinstall is doing the same thing in regards to forgetting . That would mean you would need to install windows using media creation tool using a brand new usb drive.

IF you do not think you can do this then bring the device into a computer repair shop.

Josh Docherty 0 Reputation points

2026-03-02T15:47:16.0633333+00:00
@MR_MEOW thanks for the info. Appreciate the help. A few questions for you if that's ok.

If I make a new user with netplwiz.exe will that just create an additional user, not replacing any existing users, right?

If I create this new user, do I just go into settings and change the defaults there and see if it sticks next time I reboot? If so, will this correct the issue for all users or just that user Ive created?

Worst case then yeah, I'll need to reinstall windows. I just find this to be such a tedious and frankly ridiculous inconvenience that requires wiping my machine in order to fix when the issue could come back again at any moment in the future. From memory I'm pretty sure this started happening after I did a usual windows update.

Thanks
MUSTAFA SALAH 205 Reputation points

2026-03-03T03:59:06.9533333+00:00
@Josh Docherty ,
#1 Yes, It will create new profile/user without replacing anything (that shouldn't affect your files/etc. .. just move it/copy to new Desktop/Folders.

#2 Once you create new user, change your settings, move your files and restart (this should correct the issue for the current existing profile/user)

Technical Information:

There is a file called NTUSER.DAT & it's critical, hidden Windows system file located in each user's profile folder (C:\Users\Username) that stores personal settings, desktop configurations, and application preferences. It loads when you log in, and deleting it can corrupt your profile or prevent login

Any Changes to settings saved to place called (Windows Registry) HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Josh Docherty 0 Reputation points

2026-03-04T14:57:05.8066667+00:00

@MUSTAFA SALAH thanks for comment below and response here. To be honest I struggled to follow your other comment because there's not a lot of context provided to what exactly the actions are that we're performing.

In regards to the above: What do you mean move/copy to new desktop/folders exactly? Im confused what 'files' Im supposed to be moving if Im creating a new user and changing my preferences in the settings window of that user profile. Sorry, just trying to understand as I'm not familiar with this stuff.

Is there a way this can be reported to Microsoft? Again super frustrating that Im having to do workarounds like this when the operating system caused this issue to begin with after an update I didnt ask for.

Cheers!

Answer 2

Hello Josh,
I understand your frustration. Let's work on a solution.

Device Ownership	Possible Cause
Corporate/Business Device	This is enforced policy
Personal Device	Either corrupted profile or misconfigured policy residue

Steps to Troubleshoot the root cause:

Open CMD and run this Command dsregcmd /status
Open CMD and run this Command gpresult /r
Open (Task Scheduler).
Check your (Installed Apps) on your Device "Some apps may revert all the changes/settings", Uninstall Non-Wanted-Software(s).
Finally, Run Antivirus Scan.

If{
Output was [Clean, NA, Empty, No]

Then >> Last Option: Create a New Profile <<

Open RUN Dialog box and type: netplwiz
Click on Add >> "Sign-in without a Microsoft Account" >> Choose New Name/Password.
Restart & Login with new Profile

{Alternatively: you can create new user using Settings >> Accounts >> Other Users >> Add}

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How do I stop Windows 11 continuously removing my preferences?

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