--- title: "How to preset NordLayer application settings" slug: "how-to-preset-nordlayer-application-settings" status: "update" updated: 2026-09-08T12:47:55Z published: 2026-09-08T12:47:55Z canonical: "help.nordlayer.com/how-to-preset-nordlayer-application-settings" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.nordlayer.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # How to preset NordLayer application settings NordLayer provides administrators the ability to define application settings during deployment on both Windows and macOS platforms. By using platform-specific configuration files, you can automatically apply essential application configurations, eliminating the need for users to manually configure each device after installation. Once the configuration file is placed in the required directory, NordLayer automatically applies these predefined settings and deletes the file. This streamlines administrative workflows, particularly when deploying NordLayer via management tools such as Microsoft Intune, Jamf, Apple Business Manager, or other endpoint management solutions. - *SettingsConfig.ini* is used for Windows - *SettingsConfig.plist* is used for macOS ## How to preset application settings using the configuration file on Windows ### Step 1: Create the settings configuration file Create a plain-text file named *SettingsConfig.ini* containing your required configurations. Below is an example of *SettingsConfig.ini* file with descriptions of available configuration options: ``` AutoConnectOnLaunch=false ; true/false SelectedGateway="NearestGateway" ; Use NearestGateway to automatically connect, or specify exact gateway name between "" AutoLaunchOnStartup=true ; true/false (starts app automatically when Windows boots) AutoConnectOnUntrustedWiFi=true ; true/false AppendTrustedNetworks=Network2,Network3 ; Specify additional Wi-Fi network SSIDs separated by commas to append to the trusted list RemoveTrustedNetworks=Network1,Network3 ; Specify Wi-Fi network SSIDs separated by commas to remove from the trusted list VPNProtocol=Automatic ; Options: Automatic/NordLynx/OpenVPN_TCP/OpenVPN_UDP KillSwitch=true ; true/false WebProtection=true ; true/false StatusNotifications=true ; true/false ``` ### Step 2: Place the configuration file in the application directory After creating and saving the *SettingsConfig.ini* file with your desired options, place it into the NordLayer application's execution directory. By default, this is typically located at: ``` C:\Program Files (x86)\NordLayer ``` If deploying through management software, place *SettingsConfig.ini* in the installation directory after the installation is complete. ### Confirming the configuration file operates correctly After you install NordLayer, launch the application on your Windows device. Your predefined application settings automatically apply and take effect immediately. If these settings do not apply as expected, verify the following: - The configuration file is named exactly *SettingsConfig.ini*, and it resides in NordLayer's installation directory. - All configuration values within the file use the correct formatting and are valid for your installed NordLayer version. - The NordLayer Windows application version is 3.5.3 or higher. ## How to preset application settings using the configuration file on macOS On macOS, each setting can be defined either as a forced value (locked, so users cannot change it) or as a non-forced default (applied as a simulated user choice that users can still modify). To do this, wrap the setting in a `<dict>` containing a `Value` key and a `Forced` key: - `Forced` set to `true` locks the setting — the user cannot override it in the app. - `Forced` set to `false` applies the value as a default that the user is still free to change. - A legacy bare value (a key with a direct value and no `Value`/`Forced` wrapper) is treated as a non-forced default (`Forced` = `false`). One-shot actions (`AppendTrustedNetworks` and `RemoveTrustedNetworks`) are never forceable and remain plain arrays. ### Step 1: Create the settings configuration file Create a file named *SettingsConfig.plist* in XML format containing the required configurations. Below is an example of the file, with comments describing each available option: ``` WebProtection Value Forced KillSwitch Value Forced LanCentralAccess Value Forced AutoLaunchOnStartup Value Forced AutoConnectOnUntrustedWiFi Value Forced VPNProtocol ValueNordLynx Forced SelectedGateway ValueNearestGateway Forced StatusNotifications Value Forced AutoConnectOnLaunch AppendTrustedNetworks HomeWiFi OfficeWiFi RemoveTrustedNetworks OldWiFi ``` ### Step 2: Place the configuration file in the application directory After creating and saving the *SettingsConfig.plist* with the selected options, place the file into the NordLayer application's support directory. For both the App Store and sideload versions on macOS, the directory is located at: ``` ~/Library/Containers/com.nordvpn.macos.teams/Data/Library/Application Support/com.nordvpn.macos.teams/ ``` If you’re deploying NordLayer through management software (e.g., Jamf or Apple Business Manager), ensure SettingsConfig.plist is placed in this directory after installation is complete. NordLayer will automatically read, apply, and remove the configuration file during launch or every 5 minutes while the app is running. ### Confirming the configuration file operation After installing NordLayer, launch the NordLayer application on your macOS device. Your predefined settings should automatically apply and take effect immediately. If the settings do not apply as expected, verify the following: - The configuration file is named exactly SettingsConfig.plist and is located in *~/Library/Containers/com.nordvpn.macos.teams/Data/Library/Application Support/com.nordvpn.macos.teams/* - All configuration values in the file use valid XML formatting and are applicable for your installed NordLayer version. - Your NordLayer application version is 3.8.0 or higher. Additional notes - After applying the predefined settings, the NordLayer application will delete the file. You can see which settings were applied in the app logs for [Windows](https://help.nordlayer.com/docs/how-to-retrieve-nordlayer-app-logs-for-windows) and [macOS](https://help.nordlayer.com/docs/how-to-retrieve-nordlayer-app-logs-for-macos). - Users can still manually change settings within the NordLayer application after the preset was applied. - The settings will be applied every time the file is placed in the directory (you can do this multiple times for the same installation). This file will override any user-defined settings. - Settings managed centrally through the Control Panel will always override those defined in an app's *SettingsConfig.ini* and *SettingsConfig.plist* files. --- **Note**: In case you have any questions or issues, press '**Chat with support**' at the bottom of the page.