# XMLmind XML Editor - Online Help

## 5. The "Preferences" dialog box

The preferences specified in this dialog box are stored in ``XXE_user_preferences_dir`/preferences.properties`, a Java™ property file (an ISO-8859-1 text file using a very simply `key` :`value` format).

XXE user preferences directory is:

- ``$HOME`/.xxe5/` on Linux.

- ``$HOME`/Library/Application Support/XMLmind/XMLEditor5/` on the Mac.

- ``%APPDATA%`\XMLmind\XMLEditor5\` on Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8.

  Example: `C:\Documents and Settings\john\Application Data\XMLmind\XMLEditor5\` on Windows XP. `C:\Users\john\AppData\Roaming\XMLmind\XMLEditor5\` on Windows Vista, 7 and 8.

  If you cannot see the "`Application Data`" directory using Microsoft Windows File Manager, turn on Tools>Folder Options>View>File and Folders>Show hidden files and folders.