Visual Studio 2005 set imported settings as default

Question

I'm using the import settings feature to import some VS 2005 settings.
The import works fine but after I close VS 2005 and restart it the imported settings are no longer there, it reverts back to my previous settings and I have to do the import again.

Is there something I need to do or set after the import to make the newly imported settings stay?

Answer 1

Hi Avalanche333,

Is the vssettings file that you imported to your VS2005 located at local disk or other place? If not, please copy the file to your local disk and try importing it again.

If the file is on your local disk, please try running devenv /ResetSettings (in command prompt) to eliminate the related potential settings problem. Then import it.

If it doesn't work, please try the points mentioned here: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vssetup/thread/0376db8f-4761-4ae5-9af2-98c53216318a#VS_IDE_unexpected_problems to eliminate the possible cause.

If it doesn't work, please feel free to let me know.

Thanks

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Answer 2

I tried some of the suggestions none of which worked.

Tried RestetSettings
Tried SafeMode
Have the latest updates

I do not want to create a new project as this is a very large solution.
One note I would like to make is that another user account installed and created VS and they are the ones that created and exported the project settings.
I logged in with my account and import them. This works fine. But after I close down VS and start back up the settings revert to the defaults.

Any other idea's?

Answer 3

Hi Avalanche333,

Do you mean that this issue does not happen when you log on another user account?

If yes, I suspect that your issue could be related to user profile corruption.

Could you please try reparing VS2005 or running devenv.exe /resetuserdata to reset VS to its out-of-box state.
Be aware that this will reset all of your VS environment and customization settings.
For more information, see: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb245788(VS.80).aspx#vs05idetips_topic6

If it doesn't work, I suspect that the registry key which stores VS setting could be distorted since this registry key refers to user profile.

Let me know if it works.

Thanks

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Answer 4

Still same issue after devenv.exe /resetuserdatas
Is there a way to attempt to repair the registry key?

Answer 5

Hi Avalanche333,

More clarification with you. When you log on another user account >> open VS2005 >> import vssettings file >> close VS2005 >> re-launch VS2005, will the imported setting work?

If yes, could you please use Process Monitor tool http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/processmonitor.mspx which can capture the access log?
Filter on the process name devenv.exe in the log so that you see only the related list.
This should give you more info on what are the registry keys/ files being accessed when the issue happens.

Steps to import setting:
- Copy the vssettings file to your local disk (like D: or E:)
- Open VS2005
- Import vssettings file via Tools >> Import and Export Settings >> Import selected environment settings >> Select "No, just import new settings......" >> Click "Browse" >> Select the vssettings file >> Select the setting you want to import >> Click "Finish"

Thanks

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Answer 6

I have not tried your latest suggestion yet but I do have some info that may be helpful. (If this info does not help I'll try your suggestion, reason I did not is cause I need to get my IT department to get another account on for me)

I made a copy of my exported settings and renamed it to CurrentSettings.vssettings
Copied it info the {Documents}\Visual Studio 2005\Settings folder and overwrote the existing CurrentSettings.vssettings.
Started VS and the settings were fine. Note the file size was 273kb
Once I closed VS it overwrote my settings file back to the old CurrentSettings.vssettings which was 266kb.

I then went back in to VS and did the import, again I noticed the file size change to 273kb and when I close VS back to 266kb.

So it does not seem like its the importing that is messing up, its when I close VS down that it overwites my settings file with some default one.

Answer 7

Hi Avalanche333,

Thank you for your helpful information.

I think that Process Monitor tool could be helpful in this scenario. You can check whether VS2005 itself or others distorts vssetting file. Before you close VS2005, please use Process Monitor tool to filter on the process name devenv.exe in the log.

If VS2005, please try repairing or reinstalling it.

If others (like malware), please remove it.

Thanks

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Answer 8

Took a look at the logs and I only filter on any action that accessed a path containing vssettings.

Basically it looks like it looks at some HKCR\.vssettings key and queries it
Reads my local CurrentSettings.vssettings
Again queries the keys
Reads CurrentSettings.vssettings again
Writes CurrentSettings.vssettings
Reads CurrentSettings.vssettings

And thats is
Only devenv.exe is accessing the file, and at one point Macafee does also.

Answer 9

Hi Avalanche333,

Try turning off Macafee and then import settings again to isolate the possible of Macafee.

If it doesn't work, please try repairing VS2005 and run devenv.exe /ResetSettings in order.

Let me know if it works.

Thanks

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Answer 10

Hi Avalanche333,

We are changing the issue type to “Comment” because you have not followed up with the necessary information. If you have more time to look at the issue and provide more information, please feel free to change the issue type back to “Question” by editing your initial post and changing the radio button at the top of the post editor window. If the issue is resolved, we will appreciate it if you can share the solution so that the answer can be found and used by other community members having similar questions.

Thank you!

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