Preferences

Where are the preferences (V9.20+)?

In the folder Output\Preferences. You can make a copy of your preferences simply by copying the entire folder.

Where are the preferences (V9.00-9.01)?

In the folder Resources\Preferences. You can make a copy of your preferences simply by copying the entire folder.

Where are the preferences (V8.xx)?

In the folder Resources\Preferences.You can make a copy of your preferences simply by copying the entire folder.

Where are the preferences (V7.xx)?

In the folder Resources\Preferences. This way you'll have seperate preferences for each version of X-Plane if you have multiple versions installed. You can make a copy of your preferences simply by copying the entire folder.

Where are the preferences (pre-V7)?

On PCs, the prefs files are in the C:\Windows or C:\WINNT folder; on the MacIntosh they're in System Folder:Preferences. Once you have X-Plane configured the way you like, make copies of the preferences files so you can restore them if they get reset.

What are the files named?

X-Plane uses three preferences files, named in version 5.66
  X-Plane.prf
X-Plane Pilot.prf
X-Plane Resolution.prf

In version 6.06 the preferences are named

X-System 6 X-Plane.prf
X-System 6 Pilot.prf
X-System 6 Resolution.prf

In version 6.70 the preferences are named

X-System 6 X-Plane.prf
X-System 6 Pilot.prf
X-System 6 Language & Res.prf
X-System 6 EULA.prf

with a couple of other changes along the way. You get the general idea.

Version 5.54 used an additional preference file, X-Plane Joy.prf, that is now obsolete. There are additional preference files used by PlaneMaker, etc., with similar names.

I installed a new version of X-Plane and my prefs got reset.

Unfortunately that's the way it is. The preferences files are simply a memory dump of a part of X-Plane's parameters, and they tend to change in format from version to version. When you upgrade you'll often have to redo your setup. Old saved copies of preferences won't work with the new version.

Why does X-Plane keep resetting my preferences?

X-Plane will reset your preferences anytime it encounters a serious error, such as a defective aircraft file. It's a brute force but simple method of preventing the problem from repeating the next time you start X-Plane. On the other hand, if you've invested a certain amount of effort in setting up X-Plane's options, losing your prefs can be irritating.

Do I ever need to reset the preferences?

Screwed up preferences can cause all manner of bizarre behavior in X-Plane. Unfortunately mishaps sometimes occur, especially while upgrading, and X-Plane's prefs validation isn't the best in the world. If X-Plane is behaving strangely in ways no one can explain, deleting the preferences and letting it create new ones from scratch is a good first remedy. Back to the Configuration page

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