Configuration Files for the Wolfram System

The Wolfram System stores preference settings and initialization data in two directories, (RefLink[$BaseDirectory, paclet:ref/$BaseDirectory]) and (RefLink[$UserBaseDirectory, paclet:ref/$UserBaseDirectory]). Within each of these directories are several possible subdirectories with titles such as FrontEnd, Kernel, and Licensing.

Global settings that affect all users are stored in subdirectories of the directory (RefLink[$BaseDirectory, paclet:ref/$BaseDirectory]). The default value of (RefLink[$BaseDirectory, paclet:ref/$BaseDirectory]) for different operating systems is shown in the following table. To redefine the location of global preference settings and initialization data, set the environment variable MATHEMATICA_BASE.

Location of the directory (RefLink[$BaseDirectory, paclet:ref/$BaseDirectory]) for different operating systems.

Settings that only affect a particular user are stored in subdirectories of the directory (RefLink[$UserBaseDirectory, paclet:ref/$UserBaseDirectory]). The default value of (RefLink[$UserBaseDirectory, paclet:ref/$UserBaseDirectory]) for different operating systems is shown in the following table. To redefine the location of user preferences and initialization data, set the environment variable MATHEMATICA_USERBASE.

Location of the directory (RefLink[$UserBaseDirectory, paclet:ref/$UserBaseDirectory]) for different operating systems.

Settings in the directory (RefLink[$UserBaseDirectory, paclet:ref/$UserBaseDirectory]) override global settings defined in the directory (RefLink[$BaseDirectory, paclet:ref/$BaseDirectory]).

In the pathnames that follow, replace the variables (RefLink[$BaseDirectory, paclet:ref/$BaseDirectory]) and (RefLink[$UserBaseDirectory, paclet:ref/$UserBaseDirectory]) with the appropriate directories for your system. To find their locations on your system, evaluate the command (RefLink[$BaseDirectory, paclet:ref/$BaseDirectory]) (or (RefLink[$UserBaseDirectory, paclet:ref/$UserBaseDirectory])) in a Wolfram System notebook.

Kernel

The initialization files used by the kernel contain Wolfram Language commands that are evaluated at startup, such as function definitions, packages to load, and kernel option settings. These commands are also available to the Wolfram System front end.

Kernel initialization files are not created automatically.

Front End

Front end initialization files store preference settings such as the values of global options in the Option Inspector. These files are automatically updated by the Wolfram System when you change a setting in the front end. To make changes to this file, make your changes from within the Wolfram System rather than editing the file directly.

Front end initialization files are created automatically.

Passwords

Passwords are stored in the mathpass file, described in further detail in "Registration and Passwords". In the following pathname, replace the variable (RefLink[$InstallationDirectory, paclet:ref/$InstallationDirectory]) with the directory where you installed the Wolfram System. To find the value of (RefLink[$InstallationDirectory, paclet:ref/$InstallationDirectory]) on your system, evaluate the command (RefLink[$InstallationDirectory, paclet:ref/$InstallationDirectory]) in a Wolfram System notebook.