Installation & Licensing Center
HOW TO - Reset Your Ansys Profile Folder
Authored by Caleb Scharf
November 1st, 2026
33346 views
27 likes
KB955726
Description
Resetting the Ansys profile folder returns multiple application settings to their default state and can repair corrupt files in this folder that may be causing an issue.
Try it when you cannot check out an appropriate license, a license is listed as unavailable, the interface has graphics-related issues, or an Ansys application has other problems.
Solution
Custom Materials & Views
Ansys stores your custom materials, and the custom view settings of geometry CAD tools, in the profile folder. After the reset, manually move your custom material files to the newly created profile folder, and recreate your custom views. If the reset does not resolve your issue and you want your view settings back, you can restore the old folder.
Do these steps on the computer where the Ansys client software is installed.
Structures & Fluids Software
- Close all Ansys applications.
- Open File Explorer, paste
%appdata%\Ansys\into the address bar, and press Enter. - Add
.oldto the end of the folder name for your Ansys version. For example, rename the folder tov212.old.
Note: The folder name holds the version number: "201" for 2020 R1, "202" for 2020 R2, "211" for 2021 R1, and so on.
- If you use SpaceClaim, CFX or Discovery, rename its folder too. Paste the path into the File Explorer address bar, then add
.oldto the end of the folder name:-
SpaceClaim: in
%appdata%\SpaceClaim\, rename the folder for your version, such as SpaceClaim 23.1. -
CFX: in
%userprofile%, rename the.CFXfolder. -
Discovery: in
%userprofile%\AppData\Local\Ansys_Inc, rename theVXXXfolder, where VXXX is the version you are using.
-
SpaceClaim: in
- Relaunch the Ansys application and check whether the problem persists.
Note: If you have custom materials, move their files from the renamed folder to the new profile folder.
Electronics Software
- Close all Ansys software.
- In File Explorer, find the Ansoft folder at
%userprofile%\Documents\Ansoft, and add.oldto the end of its name.
Note: This folder is the default path for project files. - Relaunch the Ansys application and check whether the problem persists.
Note: If you still cannot check out a license, see HOW TO - Fix Ansys License Checkout Issues.
