So I have been using Gimp to deal with some very large files that are demanding
on the computer resources, using 100 GB swap for the tile cache at times. I am
quite accepting that some processes on the computer are slow at times working
with such large images.

What I do not understand is why, having edited my preferences file and closed
down the software to ensure it has properly saved the preferences, then start up
again and it remembers all those preferences.

But if the whole computer crashes for some reason and Gimp is open, which it
actually is most of the time on this computer anyway, Gimp loses all the
settings I have put into it and I have to set them all up again.

Obviously, we cannot predict when our computer is going to crash, so we want to
see software that doesn't behave in this way, as it is hard enough having to
redo work we lost in a crash, without also having to spend a lot of time putting
software settings, especially when no other software behaves in this way.

By default, Gimp saves settings when it closes, for use the next time it is used. The settings are held in various files in the user Gimp profile. Guessing you already know this but for other users.

For Windows: C:\Users\"yourname"\AppData\Roaming\GIMP\2.10 For Linux: ~/.config/GIMP/2.10

Appdata is a hidden folder see: C:\Users\"yourname"\AppData\Roaming\GIMP\2.10\brushes https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4028316/windows-view-hidden-files-and-folders-in-windows-10

When your computer crashes, the changes made are not written back to the Gimp profile, you get settings from the last time Gimp correctly closed.

You can change the default situation in Edit -> Preferences Set up Gimp tools and settings to the way you want, and use the tool options and Input Device options as shown here. https://i.imgur.com/hNZOQ0O.jpg If you want to alter anything in the future, repeat the process.

The next time you start Gimp up, it will have those settings. In case you fear the Gimp profile might corrupt on a crash then back up the Gimp profile somewhere safe.

Guessing you are a MS Windows user. I use Gimp 2.10 in Linux with very reasonable resources for these days (8 GB memory ..etc) without a crash. Not always a Gimp problem.

...quote.... Obviously, we cannot predict when our computer is going to crash, so we want to see software that doesn't behave in this way, as it is hard enough having to redo work we lost in a crash, without also having to spend a lot of time putting software settings, especially when no other software behaves in this way. ...unquote....

You need to find out why the computer is crashing. You set the tile cache up, but when manipulating very large images that spool out to disk, it might be lack of physical disk space. Or it might be some other application using resources.

...and of course the usual for any application. Save your work frequently as you go along. Gimp does not (as yet) have an automatic backup although there are plugins that go part of that way.

rich404 (via www.gimpusers.com/forums)