Each user account on a system will have its own AutoCAD settings. Resetting to defaults will only affect the currently active user account. To reset in a different account, you must first log in to that user.

For most versions of AutoCAD 2012 and later (including AutoCAD-based vertical products), the reset utility can be found in the AutoCAD program group located in the Windows Start Menu. The reset utility gives you the option to back-up your settings first. Once the reset is complete, AutoCAD automatically opens and initiates its secondary installer. For AutoCAD 2011 and older (and versions that do not have the reset utility), a manual reset must be done to reinitiate the secondary installer (see Reinitiating the Secondary Installer for AutoCAD).

Windows 7:

• Start menu > All Programs > Autodesk > AutoCAD 201x > Reset Settings To Default.

Windows 8:

1. Click the Windows button to access the Start Screen.
2. Right-click the bottom of the screen.
3. Click the down arrow to access all the installed apps.
4. In the AutoCAD section, click “Reset Settings to Default.”

Windows 8.1:

1. Click the Windows button to access the Start Screen.
2. Move your cursor down and click the down arrow to access all the installed apps.
3. In the AutoCAD section, click “Reset Settings to Default.”

Windows 10:

• Start menu > AutoCAD 201x > Reset Settings To Default.

Note: The reset utility specifically for AutoCAD 2016 is found under Start menu > Autodesk.Prior to the Windows 10 Anniversary Update:

1. Click the Windows button to access the Start menu.
2. Click ‘All Apps’
3. Click the down arrow to expand ‘Autodesk’.
4. Scroll down and click on ‘Reset 201x Settings To Default’.

Mac OS:

There are multiple ways to get to the reset option in AutoCAD for Mac.To reset only the palettes in AutoCAD:

• In AutoCAD for Mac, click the Window menu and choose Reset Palettes or enter RESETPALETTES on the command line.

To reset the entire program:

• In AutoCAD for Mac 2014 SP1 and newer, hold down the Shift key while starting AutoCAD for Mac.
• In AutoCAD for Mac 2015 and newer, click the AutoCAD menu and choose the reset option.

• For all versions of AutoCAD for Mac:

1. Click Preferences under the AutoCAD menu.
2. Click the Application tab.
3. Click the button “Reset Application Options.”
4. Click “Reset AutoCAD.”