How to Delete Corrupt Settings in Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator settings or preferences control how the application behaves. Resetting the preferences will rewrite, and thus delete, troublesome settings. This should let you resume reliable use of Illustrator. One of two ways to restore the application's default settings eliminates corrupt settings and replaces them with functional ones. Create a backup copy of working settings so you can restore your customized preferences if corrupt settings recur.

Instructions

1. Launch Adobe Illustrator while holding the Alt, Control and Shift keys to authorize resetting the application's preferences. Your corrupt settings problem should resolve after Adobe Illustrator relaunches.

2. Remove the the AIPrefs file if you are unable to authorize resetting the application's preferences. The AIPrefs file is nested in your hard drive's Document and Settings folder. Open the User and Application Data folder, then locate the Adobe folder. The AIPrefs folder will be inside the Adobe Illustrator settings folder.

3. Right-click and copy the AIPrefs file when Adobe Illustrator's functioning is restored, then paste this copy in a secure location on your hard drive. You can use this copy to rewrite a file that's become corrupted in the future. This effort will preserve customized preferences for use in the future as necessary.

References

• Northlite Designs: Curing Illustrator Ills: Resetting Preferences
• Adobe: Adobe Illustrator CS5: Setting Preferences