Forum Discussion
Computer Changes Settings Back After Every Restart
Every time I restart my computer, all my settings revert back to how they were before, as if my changes were never saved. I have to reconfigure everything again after each reboot, and I can't figure out why Windows keeps resetting itself.
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If lots of unrelated settings reset together, first check whether Windows is signing you into a temporary profile. That can make changes disappear when you sign out.
Press Win + R, type %USERPROFILE%, and press Enter. Check the folder that opens. A path such as C:\Users\TEMP, especially alongside a “We can’t sign in to your account” message, points to a temporary profile. Copy any new files to a USB drive before signing out, because they could be lost.
If the profile path looks normal, create a harmless test file in your Documents folder, change one setting, and restart:
- The file disappears too: check for software such as Deep Freeze or an organisation’s “restore on reboot” setup. On a work or school PC, ask IT before changing it.
- The file stays but settings revert: test a new Windows user account. If changes persist there, the problem is likely in your original profile. Keep the old account and its files while you investigate.
If only a few settings revert, rather than everything, an organisation policy, account sync, or a particular app may be reapplying them. Identifying two or three specific settings that reset will help narrow that down without jumping straight to a Windows reinstall.
