Your Windows settings keep reverting after restart
Check if your computer is managed by work or school (IT can override personal settings), test if the setting sticks in a new user account, and check if an app is overriding it on startup.
Settings revert because your computer is managed by IT, your user profile is corrupted, or an app is resetting them at startup. On work computers, contact IT. On home computers, test a new account or check Task Startup for culprits.
Risk: Low
⏱ 15–30 minutes
Intermediate
⚡ Before you start
- ✓Make sure the PC is managed (domain-joined or enrolled in MDM): Settings → Accounts → Access Work or School. If a connection is listed, settings can be managed by IT
- ✓Make sure the reverting setting is in a category that Windows Update has historically reset (default browser, default apps)
- ✓Try creating a new user account and changing the setting to check that it persists in the new profile
Fix-IT-Bot will walk you through each step, just tap, no typing needed.
Skip, I just want a technicianCommon mistakes to avoid
- Repeatedly changing a setting that Group Policy is overriding without realizing that the policy, not a bug, is causing the reversion
- Deleting the old user profile before confirming all data and settings have been migrated to the new profile
Signs you need professional help
- If Group Policy is enforcing settings on a personal PC (possible if a work MDM profile was installed without your knowledge), or if user profile corruption is extensive and a full data migration from the corrupted profile is needed, get in touch and we'll help you sort it out.
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