How to Disable Automatic Assetto Corsa Settings

Updated Jul 2026

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Key takeaways

Disable Steam Cloud and set config files to Read-Only to stop settings resets
Use Content Manager to save and lock permanent custom presets
Check Windows file permissions and mod conflicts if settings keep reverting

How to Disable Automatic Assetto Corsa Settings — Photo: gurms (BY-ND) via Openverse

To stop Assetto Corsa from automatically overriding your custom graphics, wheel, or audio preferences, set your configuration files in `Documents\Assetto Corsa\cfg` to Read-Only and turn off Steam Cloud Synchronization for the game.

Why Assetto Corsa Keeps Overriding Custom Settings

Assetto Corsa automatically resets custom configurations when Steam Cloud Sync conflicts with local files, after major game updates, or when hardware changes are detected. If Windows permissions block save attempts or Content Manager isn't locking your presets, the simulator falls back to default initialization files every time you launch a session. Few things in sim racing disrupt a session faster than loading onto the grid only to realize your force feedback is gone, your FOV is messed up, and your screen resolution reverted to a default baseline. This issue usually traces back to how the game initializes its startup routines. When Kunos Simulazioni designed the title, they built in auto-detection mechanisms intended to keep the game playable if a player changed graphics cards or unplugged a controller. In practice, those fallback triggers often kick in when you don't want them to. A driver update from NVIDIA or AMD, a Windows feature update, or simply swapping a USB port on your Direct Drive wheel base can prompt the game engine to assume something is broken. To play it safe, Assetto Corsa re-writes your text files using built-in defaults. Disabling this automated behavior gives you total control over your sim environment.

Understanding Key Assetto Corsa Configuration Files

Key Assetto Corsa preferences reside inside your PC's `Documents\Assetto Corsa\cfg` directory. The `video.ini` file dictates display and graphics options, `controls.ini` handles wheel and pedal bindings, and `assetto_corsa.ini` governs core engine behaviors. Editing these files directly or setting them to read-only prevents unauthorized in-game adjustments. Understanding how Assetto Corsa stores user data makes troubleshooting far easier. The core executable reads settings from plain text `.ini` files every time the launcher fires up. Here is a breakdown of the primary configuration files found in the `cfg` folder: * **`video.ini`:** Controls rendering resolution, frame rate limits, anti-aliasing steps, shadow resolution, and motion blur settings. * **`controls.ini`:** Maps axis inputs, steering wheel lock angles, button functions, pedal deadzones, and force feedback overall gain. * **`gui.ini`:** Stores app positioning on your screen, HUD visibility toggles, telemetry widgets, and virtual mirror settings. * **`audio.ini`:** Manages master volume, engine noise, tire squeal, wind noise, and positional audio routing. If any of these files become corrupt—or if the game thinks they don't match your active hardware—Assetto Corsa quietly replaces them with stock template files located deep inside its main Steam install directory.

How to Stop Automatic Settings Resets (The Manual Method)

Stop automatic resets manually by navigating to `Documents\Assetto Corsa\cfg`, right-clicking key configuration files like `video.ini` or `controls.ini`, selecting Properties, and checking the Read-only box. This prevents Assetto Corsa and background processes from modifying your saved settings without your explicit permission during game startup. Before turning on file locks, you need to make sure your desired settings are actually saved in the simulator first. Launch the game, set your preferred graphics and wheel configuration, and close the title properly so it writes the final data to disk. Once that is done, disable Steam Cloud Sync by opening Steam, right-clicking **Assetto Corsa**, selecting **Properties**, and toggling off **Keep game saves in the Steam Cloud**. Cloud synchronization often overwrites fresh local modifications with older cloud backups. After turning off Cloud Sync, open Windows File Explorer and head to `C:\Users\[Your Username]\Documents\Assetto Corsa\cfg`. You can now individually lock the configuration files you want to keep static.

Locking Down Graphics and Video Settings (`video.ini`)

Lock graphics settings by editing `video.ini` inside `Documents\Assetto Corsa\cfg` to your preferred resolution and detail levels, then setting the file attribute to Read-Only. This stops Assetto Corsa from auto-detecting GPU changes or forcing default graphics presets whenever graphics drivers update or display monitors switch. Display changes trigger auto-resets more than almost anything else. If you use multi-monitor setups, ultrawide panels, or VR headsets, Assetto Corsa frequently fails to recognize display handles on boot. Open `video.ini` with Notepad to double-check that your resolution, refresh rate, and `FULLSCREEN` variables match your monitor specs. Once verified, save the text file, right-click `video.ini`, select **Properties**, check **Read-only**, and click **Apply**.

Protecting Custom Controls and Force Feedback (`controls.ini`)

Prevent controller and wheel mapping wipes by editing `controls.ini` in the `cfg` folder and toggling its properties to Read-Only. Sims often wipe steering wheel axis bindings when USB ports change; making this file read-only locks your deadzones, force feedback gain, and custom pedal calibration in place. Wheelbases, pedal sets, handbrakes, and button boxes often reassign their Windows hardware ID numbers if you plug them into a different USB slot. When Assetto Corsa sees new hardware IDs, it wipes `controls.ini`. Making this file read-only ensures your carefully tuned FFB gain curves and button bindings remain intact. Just remember: if you actually *want* to rebind a key in the future, you must uncheck "Read-only" first, make the change, and then re-lock it.

Securing Interface and App Layouts (`gui.ini`)

Preserve custom HUD elements and app locations by making `gui.ini` read-only in your configuration directory. Assetto Corsa regularly rearranges on-screen widgets during resolution swaps or multi-monitor setup changes; setting read-only file permissions locks your telemetry overlays, mirrors, and speedometer widgets exactly where you positioned them. If you spend time positioning timing boards, radar overlays, and tire temperature apps precisely across your display, losing that layout is painful. The `gui.ini` file records exact pixel coordinates for every active UI app. Locking it down ensures your customized dashboard layout stays fixed, even if you accidentally drag an icon during a hotlap session.

Managing Settings with Content Manager and CSP

Custom Shaders Patch and Content Manager offer dedicated preset management that bypasses vanilla Assetto Corsa's automatic resetting bugs. By saving named video and control presets directly in Content Manager, you can load fixed configurations automatically upon launcher startup without manually tweaking Windows file permissions or editing `.ini` text lines. Most active sim racers skip the original Assetto Corsa launcher entirely in favor of Content Manager (CM). Content Manager features its own profile system that writes directly to the `.ini` files right before starting a session. If you use CM, setting files to read-only in Windows can sometimes cause CM to throw a permission error. Instead, use Content Manager's built-in preset manager: 1. Open **Content Manager** and head to **Settings > Assetto Corsa > Video** (or Controls). 2. Adjust your settings to match your hardware preferences. 3. Click **Save preset** at the bottom of the window and give it a recognizable name (e.g., "VR_Racing" or "TripleScreen_144Hz"). 4. In the **Content Manager > Settings > Custom Shaders Patch** tab, ensure "Drive button auto-saves settings" is turned off if you don't want session tweaks persisting across launches.

Scripting File Protection with PowerShell (Advanced Users)

Advanced users can automate configuration locking by running a PowerShell script before launching Assetto Corsa. A basic script can check your configuration directory, enforce the Read-Only attribute across all target `.ini` files, or restore backed-up preferences automatically, removing the need for manual file editing across gaming sessions. If you frequently alternate between editing settings and locking them, manually right-clicking four different files gets tedious. A short PowerShell automation script can toggle attributes across your entire configuration folder instantly. ```powershell # Set path to Assetto Corsa configuration directory $acCfgPath = Join-Path -Path $env:USERPROFILE -ChildPath "Documents\Assetto Corsa\cfg" $iniFiles = Get-ChildItem -Path $acCfgPath -Filter "*.ini" # Apply Read-Only attribute to all configuration files foreach ($file in $iniFiles) { Set-ItemProperty -Path $file.FullName -Name IsReadOnly -Value $true Write-Host "Locked configuration file: $($file.Name)" -ForegroundColor Green } ``` You can save this script as `Lock_AC_Settings.ps1` and execute it before launching your sim. If you ever need to edit settings, create a complementary unlock script by changing `$true` to `$false`.

FAQ

How do I disable automatic race setup in Assetto Corsa?

Go to Options -> Game -> Race Setup and uncheck "Load Race Setup Automatically." This prevents the game from loading a pre-defined setup at the start of each session.

Where do I find the option to turn off automatic setup?

The setting is located in the main Options menu. Navigate to "Game" and then "Race Setup" to find the checkbox for automatic setup loading.

Why would I want to disable automatic race setup?

Disabling it allows you to customize your car setup from scratch each time, providing more control and a deeper understanding of the car's behavior.

Editorial Team Author & reviewer

Hands-on reviewers testing tools, apps and services so you do not have to. Every article here is hands-on tested and human-reviewed before publishing.

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