How to reset 3dMax to "factory" settings?
When we use the 3dMax software, we sometimes encounter some problems, such as: crashes when starting or using specific functions within the program; display problems with the 3dMax interface; slow or unstable viewport manipulation; missing keyboard shortcuts; missing material editors Elements; problems linking and unlinking scene items; layer manager missing important features like quad menu, delete, etc.; missing buttons, etc. These situations are generally caused by damage or loss of user-related files. The reasons for file damage or loss are more complex, including the 3dMa plug-in writing these files, or multiple open copies of 3ds Max quickly closing and trying to write the same preference file at the same time; it may also be caused by misoperation. ; It may also be caused by virus damage.
If you encounter these situations, you can finally solve it by reinstalling the 3dMax software, but this solution is a bit time-consuming and troublesome. In fact, there is another method that you can try before this final solution: resetting the "factory" settings.
There are two situations when you want to restore 3dMax to "factory" settings:
One situation: 3dMax software can be opened. Starting from 3dMax2022.1, a new "Restore Factory Settings" function has been built in. Click the main menu "Customize->Preferences", in the lower left corner of the "General" panel of "Preferences" In the corner, you can see the "Restore Factory Settings..." button, click it.
Another situation: The 3dMax interface cannot be opened. 3dMax user preferences can be reset by renaming (or deleting) the user settings folder/file. They will be created automatically the next time you start the 3dMax program. This process is specific to active user logins on the system, as 3dMax saves settings for each user profile in Windows.
The specific method is:
1. Make sure 3dMax is not running (if there is an unended 3dmax process in the "Task Manager", end it first).
2. Navigate to the following path:
C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\20XX - 64bit\, delete all files and folders inside.
3. Restart the 3dMax software. (When the program starts, it creates a new configuration folder with default startup settings.)
Through the above operations, when we open 3dMax again, we will see the same interface as when we first started 3dMax when we first installed it. Most 3dMax problems can be solved by this method. If you have problems with 3dMax, you might as well give it a try! As a reminder: don’t forget to make appropriate backups before trying.