Fix : How to Save Graphics Settings (Settings Not Saving/ Defaulting/ Changing)

Before jumping to the multi-step method, try this Quick fix test.

1. In the main menu of RDR2, open the Graphic Settings.
2. Then change the Screen Type to "Windowed" and Save.
3. Now change two or three random settings and Save. (Do not choose the Restart option)
4. Close the game and relaunch it.
5. Check if the settings are as you saved them or have changed back to default. (If defaulted, retry or test the other method)
6. Also notice that the Screen Type has been now changed to "Windowed borderless". Do not change it, else you might lose all the settings.
7. Now you should be able to change all the Graphic Settings you want to your liking (except Screen Type) and Save them safely.
8. Then close the game and relaunch. Then check to see if settings stayed as you saved or defaulted before playing.
9. Test multiple relaunches plus in game to see if the Graphic Setting changes took effect!

If it is still not working for you, here is what worked for me, step by step.

1. Do a clean install.
2. Run the game for the first time and let the files be created.
3. Go to the Folder path, C:\Users\"****"\Documents\Rockstar Games\Red Dead Redemption 2
4. Delete Settings folder. (I deleted even the profile folder after I double checked my cloud saves, to not lose anything)
5. Create a new folder and name it "Settings".
6. Launch the game and go to Graphic Settings, it will have the default settings as usual.
7. Now change the Screen Type to "Windowed", then Save the settings.
8. Now change all the settings to your desire. (You could set Screen Type to Full Screen as well - but it never stays FS though)
9. Save the changes. (DO NOT choose Restart !!!)
10. Minimize (do not quit) the game window and open up the Settings folder we opened at step Number (03).
11. Make the "system.xml" file there a "Read-only" file. (See how below)
    Right click on the "system.xml" file and go to Properties. On the General Tab(default tab) look for the "Attributes". and tick the "Read-only". Then click "Apply". Then click "Ok".
12. Close the Properties window and go back to the game.
13. Close the game properly.
    Now you might get cloud sync errors or file unmatched issues. Choose what you backed up. But skip Settings restoration !!!
14. Launch the game again and go to Graphics settings.

Now you should see the changes you have made are kept without any alterations except for Screen Type, which is now "Windowed Borderless".
DO NOT CHANGE SCREEN TYPE AGAIN, leave it as "WB" or you might lose all the settings again.

Now, I have removed the "Read-only" attribute from the system.xml file later. Because I read here and there that it won't let the settings really be active or applied to the game.
I tested "tick off" and it did not revert my Graphic Settings any more.
This lead me to believe that the culprit must be the Screen Type setting not registering in any of the files. Hence I wrote the Quick fix test above.

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If you want to change any setting at any point after that, you can freely do so! Just remember to leave the Screen Type alone as WB. ;)

(For anyone who keeps the "read-only" : "ticked on" just in case, follow this.)

1. While the game is running (in main menu) you must remove the "Read-only" Attribute from the "system.xml" file (Properties > untick "Read-only" > Apply > Ok).
2. Then make the Graphic Setting changes you want and Save.
3. Re apply the "Read-only" and then close the game.
4. Launch the game and check the settings to see if they are changed.

Good job Rock Star, your issue rocks! But thank you for the timeless awesome games!