Voreinstellung

Voreinstellung is a German term that refers to a preset or preconfigured setting used as a starting point for a device, program, or system. The word combines vor- (before) and Einstellung (setting or adjustment). It describes values or configurations that are established before use and can be applied automatically or manually.

In software, hardware, and consumer electronics, Voreinstellungen are the default options or presets provided by the manufacturer or created by the user. They influence behavior, appearance, or performance until a different configuration is chosen. Examples include a word processor’s default font and page layout, a digital camera’s preset exposure and white balance, or a printer’s default print quality and margins. Voreinstellungen can usually be modified, saved as new presets, and managed in a list of profiles or preferences.

A related term is Standardeinstellung, often used to denote the standard default setting that the system uses if no user changes are made. In practice, Voreinstellungen and Standardeinstellungen are sometimes used interchangeably, but Voreinstellung emphasizes a preselected option or profile that can be swapped or customized, whereas Standardeinstellung emphasizes the baseline default.

Management of Voreinstellungen typically involves adjusting values, saving new presets, exporting or importing profiles, renaming or deleting presets, and restoring factory defaults. The concept is common across operating systems, applications, and devices, enabling quick configuration and consistent behavior across uses.