************
Introduction
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This chapter explains how to change Blender's default configuration with the *User Preferences* editor.

The Blender *User Preferences* editor contains settings to control how Blender behaves.


Open User Preferences
=====================

To open the *User Preferences* editor go to :menuselection:`File --> User Preferences`.

.. figure:: /images/preferences_interface_tab.png


Configure
=========

Now that you have opened the User Preferences editor, you can configure Blender to your liking.
At the top of the editor, the available options are grouped into seven tabs:

:doc:`Interface </preferences/interface>`
   Change how UI elements are displayed and how they react.
:doc:`Editing </preferences/editing>`
   Control how several tools will interact with your input.
:doc:`Input </preferences/input>`
   Customize how Blender reacts to the mouse and keyboard as well as define your own keymap.
:doc:`Add-ons </preferences/addons>`
   Manage Blender's *Add-ons*, allowing you to access features
   not built-in as well as install new features.
:doc:`Themes </preferences/themes>`
   Customize interface appearance and colors.
:doc:`File </preferences/file>`
   Configure auto-save preferences and set default file paths for blend-files, rendered images, and more.
:doc:`System </preferences/system>`
   Set resolution, scripting console preferences, sound, graphics cards, and internationalization.


Save User Settings
==================

Once you have set your preferences, you will need to manually save them,
otherwise the new configuration will be lost after a restart.
Blender saves its preferences to *userpref.blend* in your user folder
(see next section, "Load Factory Settings", for details).

In the *User Preferences* editor, click on the *Save User Settings* button in the bottom left.
This will save all of the new preferences.


.. _factory-settings:

Load Factory Settings
=====================

Go to :menuselection:`File --> Load Factory Settings`
then save the preferences via the *User Preferences* editor.

.. hint::

   It can be valuable to make a backup of your preferences in the event that you lose your configuration.

   See the :doc:`directory layout </getting_started/installing/configuration/directories>`
   section to see where your preferences are stored.