Reset AutoCAD settings without creating a new user account

When it comes to investigate AutoCAD or other software problems it can be a good idea to try creating a new Windows user account and see if the problem can be reproduced. If it works fine for the new user or if you think that it is related to your current user this tip can be useful. Notice that all your settings well be gone, just like when you first installed AutoCAD but you save the time and work to totally reinstall.

I’ve used this method several times and it works on most any version or vertical you just need to correct some of the paths.

You need to delete the roaming user folder.

For AutoCAD 2009:
%APPDATA%\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2009\R17.2
For AutoCAD Architecture 2009:
%APPDATA%\Autodesk\ACD-A 2009

Wondering what %APPDATA% is?
In XP: C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data
In Vista: C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming

It might also be useful to delete the local user folder.

For AutoCAD 2009:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2009\R17.2
For AutoCAD Architecture 2009:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Autodesk\ACD-A 2009

Then delete the following keys from the registry using REGEDIT.EXE.

For AutoCAD 2009:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R17.2\ACAD-7001:409
For AutoCAD Architecture 2009:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R17.2\ACAD-7004:409

Now start with a fresh AutoCAD and your problems hopefully are gone.

See the post Reset your AutoCAD / Faire un reset de votre AutoCAD on Consult SKC blog for more details.

If you completely want to remove most traces of an AutoCAD installation see this post.