Where Are QGIS User Profiles Stored?
QGIS 3 stores settings, plugins, and project templates inside per user profile folders. The default profile is named default.
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Each profile is a folder with settings, Python plugins, processing models, and UI state. Copying a profile folder copies that configuration to another install.
The profiles root holds one folder per profile plus control files. The active profile folder can be opened from the Settings menu under User Profiles.
Where QGIS stores this, by platform
~/.local/share/QGIS/QGIS3/profiles/<profile>
Replace <profile> with the profile name. The stock profile is named default. Main settings live in QGIS/QGIS3.ini under the active profile folder. Plugins live under python/plugins inside the same profile. Use Open Active Profile Folder to resolve the path on disk.
C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\QGIS\QGIS3\profiles\<profile>
Replace <user> with the Windows account name and <profile> with the profile name. The stock profile is named default. Settings live in QGIS3.ini under the active profile folder. Plugins live under python/plugins inside the same profile. Removing a profile folder requires a restart to regenerate a clean default.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up or move a QGIS profile?
Close QGIS, copy the folder for the named profile, and restore it under the profiles root on the target machine. Include QGIS3.ini to keep settings. Keep profiles.ini when moving several profiles at once.
What should I do when a profile is broken?
Rename the broken profile folder, restart QGIS, and let QGIS create a fresh default profile. Copy needed plugins or models from the renamed folder. Avoid copying the old ini file when the break comes from settings.
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