[Settings] Create a global static instance of SettingsUtils (#44064)

<!-- Enter a brief description/summary of your PR here. What does it
fix/what does it change/how was it tested (even manually, if necessary)?
-->
## Summary of the Pull Request

SettingsUtils is initialized multiple times over the whole solution.
This creates one singeltone instance (with the default settings), so it
only has to be initialized once (and improve performance a bit with
that)

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## PR Checklist

- [ ] Closes: #xxx
<!-- - [ ] Closes: #yyy (add separate lines for additional resolved
issues) -->
- [ ] **Communication:** I've discussed this with core contributors
already. If the work hasn't been agreed, this work might be rejected
- [ ] **Tests:** Added/updated and all pass
- [ ] **Localization:** All end-user-facing strings can be localized
- [ ] **Dev docs:** Added/updated
- [ ] **New binaries:** Added on the required places
- [ ] [JSON for
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for new binaries
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and link it here: #xxx

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or any additional comments/features here -->
## Detailed Description of the Pull Request / Additional comments

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wherever possible, but list manual validation steps taken as well -->
## Validation Steps Performed

doc/devdocs/core/settings/settings-implementation.md

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ For C# modules, the settings are accessed through the `SettingsUtils` class in t
 using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library;
 
 // Read settings
-var settings = SettingsUtils.GetSettings<ModuleSettings>("ModuleName");
+var settings = SettingsUtils.Default.GetSettings<ModuleSettings>("ModuleName");
 bool enabled = settings.Enabled;
 ```
 
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library;
 
 // Write settings
 settings.Enabled = true;
-SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(settings.ToJsonString(), "ModuleName");
+SettingsUtils.Default.SaveSettings(settings.ToJsonString(), "ModuleName");
 ```
 
 ## Settings Handling in Modules

src/common/UITestAutomation/SettingsConfigHelper.cs

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.UITest
     public class SettingsConfigHelper
     {
         private static readonly JsonSerializerOptions IndentedJsonOptions = new() { WriteIndented = true };
-        private static readonly SettingsUtils SettingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+        private static readonly SettingsUtils SettingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Configures global PowerToys settings to enable only specified modules and disable all others.

src/dsc/v3/PowerToys.DSC.UnitTests/SettingsResourceTests/SettingsResourceModuleTest`1.cs

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ namespace PowerToys.DSC.UnitTests.SettingsResourceTests;
 public abstract class SettingsResourceModuleTest<TSettingsConfig> : BaseDscTest
     where TSettingsConfig : ISettingsConfig, new()
 {
-    private readonly SettingsUtils _settingsUtils = new();
+    private readonly SettingsUtils _settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
     private TSettingsConfig _originalSettings;
 
     protected TSettingsConfig DefaultSettings => new();

src/dsc/v3/PowerToys.DSC/Models/FunctionData/SettingsFunctionData`1.cs

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ namespace PowerToys.DSC.Models.FunctionData;
 public sealed class SettingsFunctionData<TSettingsConfig> : BaseFunctionData, ISettingsFunctionData
     where TSettingsConfig : ISettingsConfig, new()
 {
-    private static readonly SettingsUtils _settingsUtils = new();
+    private static readonly SettingsUtils _settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
     private static readonly TSettingsConfig _settingsConfig = new();
 
     private readonly SettingsResourceObject<TSettingsConfig> _input;

src/modules/Hosts/Hosts/Settings/UserSettings.cs

@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ namespace Hosts.Settings
 
         public UserSettings()
         {
-            _settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            _settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             var defaultSettings = new HostsProperties();
             ShowStartupWarning = defaultSettings.ShowStartupWarning;
             LoopbackDuplicates = defaultSettings.LoopbackDuplicates;

src/modules/MeasureTool/MeasureToolUI/Settings.cs

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ namespace MeasureToolUI
 {
     public sealed class Settings
     {
-        private static readonly SettingsUtils ModuleSettings = new();
+        private static readonly SettingsUtils ModuleSettings = SettingsUtils.Default;
 
         public MeasureToolMeasureStyle DefaultMeasureStyle
         {

src/modules/MouseUtils/MouseJumpUI/Helpers/SettingsHelper.cs

@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ internal sealed class SettingsHelper
         lock (this.LockObject)
         {
             {
-                var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+                var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
 
                 // set this to 1 to disable retries
                 var remainingRetries = 5;

src/modules/MouseWithoutBorders/App/Class/Setting.cs

@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ namespace MouseWithoutBorders.Class
 
         internal Settings()
         {
-            _settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            _settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
 
             _watcher = SettingsHelper.GetFileWatcher("MouseWithoutBorders", "settings.json", () =>
             {

src/modules/PowerOCR/PowerOCR/Settings/UserSettings.cs

@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ namespace PowerOCR.Settings
         [ImportingConstructor]
         public UserSettings(Helpers.IThrottledActionInvoker throttledActionInvoker)
         {
-            _settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            _settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ActivationShortcut = new SettingItem<string>(DefaultActivationShortcut);
             PreferredLanguage = new SettingItem<string>(string.Empty);
 

src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesEditor/Utils/Settings.cs

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ namespace WorkspacesEditor.Utils
     public class Settings
     {
         private const string WorkspacesModuleName = "Workspaces";
-        private static readonly SettingsUtils _settingsUtils = new();
+        private static readonly SettingsUtils _settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
 
         public static WorkspacesSettings ReadSettings()
         {

src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesEditor/ViewModels/MainViewModel.cs

@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ namespace WorkspacesEditor.ViewModels
                 _orderByIndex = value;
                 OnPropertyChanged(new PropertyChangedEventArgs(nameof(WorkspacesView)));
                 settings.Properties.SortBy = (WorkspacesProperties.SortByProperty)value;
-                settings.Save(new SettingsUtils());
+                settings.Save(SettingsUtils.Default);
             }
         }
 

src/modules/awake/Awake/Core/Manager.cs

@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ namespace Awake.Core
         {
             _tokenSource = new CancellationTokenSource();
             _stateQueue = [];
-            ModuleSettings = new SettingsUtils();
+            ModuleSettings = SettingsUtils.Default;
         }
 
         internal static void StartMonitor()

src/modules/awake/Awake/Program.cs

@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ namespace Awake
 
         private static async Task<int> Main(string[] args)
         {
-            _settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            _settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
 
             LockMutex = new Mutex(true, Core.Constants.AppName, out bool instantiated);
 

src/modules/colorPicker/ColorPickerUI/Settings/UserSettings.cs

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ namespace ColorPicker.Settings
         [ImportingConstructor]
         public UserSettings(Helpers.IThrottledActionInvoker throttledActionInvoker)
         {
-            _settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            _settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ChangeCursor = new SettingItem<bool>(true);
             ActivationShortcut = new SettingItem<string>(DefaultActivationShortcut);
             CopiedColorRepresentation = new SettingItem<string>(ColorRepresentationType.HEX.ToString());

src/modules/launcher/Plugins/Microsoft.PowerToys.Run.Plugin.PowerToys/Components/UtilityProvider.cs

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Run.Plugin.PowerToys
 
         public UtilityProvider()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             var generalSettings = settingsUtils.GetSettings<GeneralSettings>();
 
             _utilities = new List<Utility>();
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Run.Plugin.PowerToys
                     {
                         retryCount++;
 
-                        var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+                        var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
                         var generalSettings = settingsUtils.GetSettings<GeneralSettings>();
 
                         foreach (var u in _utilities)

src/modules/launcher/PowerLauncher/SettingsReader.cs

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ namespace PowerLauncher
 
         public SettingsReader(PowerToysRunSettings settings, ThemeManager themeManager)
         {
-            _settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            _settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             _settings = settings;
             _themeManager = themeManager;
 

src/modules/peek/Peek.FilePreviewer/Models/PreviewSettings.cs

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ namespace Peek.FilePreviewer.Models
 
         public PreviewSettings()
         {
-            _settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            _settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             SourceCodeWrapText = false;
             SourceCodeTryFormat = false;
             SourceCodeFontSize = 14;

src/modules/peek/Peek.UI/Services/UserSettings.cs

@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ namespace Peek.UI
 
         public UserSettings()
         {
-            _settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            _settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
 
             LoadSettingsFromJson();
 

src/modules/poweraccent/PowerAccent.Core/Services/SettingsService.cs

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ public class SettingsService
 
     public SettingsService(KeyboardListener keyboardListener)
     {
-        _settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+        _settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
         _keyboardListener = keyboardListener;
         ReadSettings();
         _watcher = Helper.GetFileWatcher(PowerAccentModuleName, "settings.json", () => { ReadSettings(); });

src/modules/poweraccent/PowerAccent.Core/Tools/CharactersUsageInfo.cs

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ namespace PowerAccent.Core.Tools
 
         public CharactersUsageInfo()
         {
-            _filePath = new SettingsUtils().GetSettingsFilePath(PowerAccentSettings.ModuleName, "UsageInfo.json");
+            _filePath = SettingsUtils.Default.GetSettingsFilePath(PowerAccentSettings.ModuleName, "UsageInfo.json");
             var data = GetUsageInfoData();
             _characterUsageCounters = data.CharacterUsageCounters;
             _characterUsageTimestamp = data.CharacterUsageTimestamp;

src/modules/previewpane/MonacoPreviewHandler/Settings.cs

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.PreviewHandler.Monaco
     /// </summary>
     public class Settings
     {
-        private static SettingsUtils moduleSettings = new SettingsUtils();
+        private static SettingsUtils moduleSettings = SettingsUtils.Default;
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Gets a value indicating whether word wrapping should be applied. Set by PT settings.

src/modules/previewpane/StlThumbnailProvider/StlThumbnailProvider.cs

@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.ThumbnailHandler.Stl
             {
                 try
                 {
-                    var moduleSettings = new SettingsUtils();
+                    var moduleSettings = SettingsUtils.Default;
 
                     var colorString = moduleSettings.GetSettings<PowerPreviewSettings>(PowerPreviewSettings.ModuleName).Properties.StlThumbnailColor.Value;
 

src/modules/previewpane/SvgPreviewHandler/Settings.cs

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ namespace SvgPreviewHandler
 {
     internal sealed class Settings
     {
-        private static readonly SettingsUtils ModuleSettings = new SettingsUtils();
+        private static readonly SettingsUtils ModuleSettings = SettingsUtils.Default;
 
         public int ColorMode
         {

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI.Library/SettingsBackupAndRestoreUtils.cs

@@ -592,7 +592,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library
         /// </summary>
         public (bool Success, string Message, string Severity, bool LastBackupExists, string OptionalMessage) DryRunBackup()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             var appBasePath = Path.GetDirectoryName(settingsUtils.GetSettingsFilePath());
             string settingsBackupAndRestoreDir = GetSettingsBackupAndRestoreDir();
             var results = BackupSettings(appBasePath, settingsBackupAndRestoreDir, true);

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI.Library/SettingsUtils.cs

@@ -22,7 +22,14 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library
         private readonly ISettingsPath _settingsPath;
         private readonly JsonSerializerOptions _serializerOptions;
 
-        public SettingsUtils()
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Gets the default instance of the <see cref="SettingsUtils"/> class for general use.
+        /// Same as instantiating a new instance with the <see cref="SettingsUtils(IFileSystem?, JsonSerializerOptions?)"/> constructor with a new <see cref="FileSystem"/> object as the first argument and <c>null</c> as the second argument.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <remarks>For using in tests, you should use one of the public constructors.</remarks>
+        public static SettingsUtils Default { get; } = new SettingsUtils();
+
+        private SettingsUtils()
             : this(new FileSystem())
         {
         }
@@ -234,7 +241,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library
         public static (bool Success, string Message, string Severity, bool LastBackupExists, string OptionalMessage) BackupSettings()
         {
             var settingsBackupAndRestoreUtilsX = SettingsBackupAndRestoreUtils.Instance;
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = Default;
             var appBasePath = Path.GetDirectoryName(settingsUtils._settingsPath.GetSettingsPath(string.Empty, string.Empty));
             string settingsBackupAndRestoreDir = settingsBackupAndRestoreUtilsX.GetSettingsBackupAndRestoreDir();
 
@@ -247,7 +254,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library
         public static (bool Success, string Message, string Severity) RestoreSettings()
         {
             var settingsBackupAndRestoreUtilsX = SettingsBackupAndRestoreUtils.Instance;
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = Default;
             var appBasePath = Path.GetDirectoryName(settingsUtils._settingsPath.GetSettingsPath(string.Empty, string.Empty));
             string settingsBackupAndRestoreDir = settingsBackupAndRestoreUtilsX.GetSettingsBackupAndRestoreDir();
             return settingsBackupAndRestoreUtilsX.RestoreSettings(appBasePath, settingsBackupAndRestoreDir);

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI.Library/Utilities/GetSettingCommandLineCommand.cs

@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ public sealed class GetSettingCommandLineCommand
         var modulesSettings = new Dictionary<string, Dictionary<string, object>>();
 
         var settingsAssembly = CommandLineUtils.GetSettingsAssembly();
-        var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+        var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
 
         var enabledModules = SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils).SettingsConfig.Enabled;
 

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI.UnitTests/ViewModelTests/ColorPicker.cs

@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
             using (var viewModel = new ColorPickerViewModel(
                 ISettingsUtilsMocks.GetStubSettingsUtils<ColorPickerSettings>().Object,
                 SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(ISettingsUtilsMocks.GetStubSettingsUtils<GeneralSettings>().Object),
-                SettingsRepository<ColorPickerSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()),
+                SettingsRepository<ColorPickerSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default),
                 ColorPickerIsEnabledByDefaultIPC))
             {
                 Assert.IsTrue(viewModel.IsEnabled);

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI.UnitTests/ViewModelTests/FancyZones.cs

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 // See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
 
 using System;
+using System.IO.Abstractions;
 using System.Text.Json;
 
 using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library;
@@ -120,7 +121,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void IsEnabledShouldDisableModuleWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             Func<string, int> sendMockIPCConfigMSG = msg =>
             {
@@ -140,7 +141,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void ShiftDragShouldSetValue2FalseWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -158,7 +159,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void OverrideSnapHotkeysShouldSetValue2TrueWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -176,7 +177,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void MoveWindowsAcrossMonitorsShouldSetValue2TrueWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -194,7 +195,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void MoveWindowsBasedOnPositionShouldSetValue2TrueWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -217,7 +218,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void QuickLayoutSwitchShouldSetValue2FalseWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -235,7 +236,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void FlashZonesOnQuickSwitchShouldSetValue2FalseWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -253,7 +254,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void MakeDraggedWindowsTransparentShouldSetValue2TrueWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -271,7 +272,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void MouseSwitchShouldSetValue2TrueWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -289,7 +290,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void DisplayOrWorkAreaChangeMoveWindowsShouldSetValue2FalseWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -307,7 +308,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void ZoneSetChangeMoveWindowsShouldSetValue2TrueWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -325,7 +326,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void AppLastZoneMoveWindowsShouldSetValue2TrueWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -343,7 +344,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void OpenWindowOnActiveMonitorShouldSetValue2TrueWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -361,7 +362,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void RestoreSizeShouldSetValue2TrueWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -379,7 +380,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void UseCursorPosEditorStartupScreenShouldSetValue2FalseWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -397,7 +398,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void ShowOnAllMonitorsShouldSetValue2TrueWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -415,7 +416,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void SpanZonesAcrossMonitorsShouldSetValue2TrueWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -433,7 +434,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void OverlappingZonesAlgorithmIndexShouldSetValue2AnotherWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -451,7 +452,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void AllowChildWindowsToSnapShouldSetValue2TrueWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -469,7 +470,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void DisableRoundCornersOnSnapShouldSetValue2TrueWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -487,7 +488,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void ZoneHighlightColorShouldSetColorValue2WhiteWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -505,7 +506,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void ZoneBorderColorShouldSetColorValue2WhiteWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -523,7 +524,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void ZoneInActiveColorShouldSetColorValue2WhiteWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -541,7 +542,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void ExcludedAppsShouldSetColorValue2WhiteWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);
@@ -559,7 +560,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void HighlightOpacityShouldSetOpacityValueTo60WhenSuccessful()
         {
-            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            Mock<SettingsUtils> mockSettingsUtils = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // arrange
             FancyZonesViewModel viewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(mockSettingsUtils.Object, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(mockGeneralSettingsUtils.Object), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(mockFancyZonesSettingsUtils.Object), sendMockIPCConfigMSG, FancyZonesTestFolderName);

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI.UnitTests/ViewModelTests/ShortcutGuide.cs

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 // See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
 
 using System;
+using System.IO.Abstractions;
 using System.Text.Json;
 
 using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library;
@@ -69,7 +70,7 @@ namespace ViewModelTests
         [TestMethod]
         public void IsEnabledShouldEnableModuleWhenSuccessful()
         {
-            var settingsUtilsMock = new Mock<SettingsUtils>();
+            var settingsUtilsMock = new Mock<SettingsUtils>(new FileSystem(), null);
 
             // Assert
             // Initialize mock function of sending IPC message.

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/Helpers/HotkeyConflictIgnoreHelper.cs

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Helpers
 
         static HotkeyConflictIgnoreHelper()
         {
-            _settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            _settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             _generalSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(_settingsUtils);
         }
 

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/App.xaml.cs

@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI
             var settingValue = cmdArgs[3];
             try
             {
-                SetSettingCommandLineCommand.Execute(settingName, settingValue, new SettingsUtils());
+                SetSettingCommandLineCommand.Execute(settingName, settingValue, SettingsUtils.Default);
             }
             catch (Exception ex)
             {
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI
             {
                 using (var settings = JsonDocument.Parse(File.ReadAllText(ipcFileName)))
                 {
-                    SetAdditionalSettingsCommandLineCommand.Execute(moduleName, settings, new SettingsUtils());
+                    SetAdditionalSettingsCommandLineCommand.Execute(moduleName, settings, SettingsUtils.Default);
                 }
             }
             catch (Exception ex)
@@ -357,7 +357,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI
             return 0;
         }
 
-        private static ISettingsUtils settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+        private static ISettingsUtils settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
         private static ThemeService themeService = new ThemeService(SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils));
 
         public static ThemeService ThemeService => themeService;

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Controls/Dashboard/ShortcutConflictWindow.xaml.cs

@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.SettingsXAML.Controls.Dashboard
 
         public ShortcutConflictWindow()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new ShortcutConflictViewModel(
                 settingsUtils,
                 SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils),

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Flyout/AppsListPage.xaml.cs

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Flyout
         {
             this.InitializeComponent();
 
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new AllAppsViewModel(SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), Views.ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage);
             DataContext = ViewModel;
         }

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Flyout/LaunchPage.xaml.cs

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Flyout
         public LaunchPage()
         {
             this.InitializeComponent();
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new LauncherViewModel(SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), Views.ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage);
             DataContext = ViewModel;
         }
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Flyout
                     break;
                 case ModuleType.EnvironmentVariables: // Launch Environment Variables
                     {
-                        bool launchAdmin = SettingsRepository<EnvironmentVariablesSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.LaunchAdministrator;
+                        bool launchAdmin = SettingsRepository<EnvironmentVariablesSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.LaunchAdministrator;
                         string eventName = !App.IsElevated && launchAdmin
                             ? Constants.ShowEnvironmentVariablesAdminSharedEvent()
                             : Constants.ShowEnvironmentVariablesSharedEvent();
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Flyout
 
                 case ModuleType.Hosts: // Launch Hosts
                     {
-                        bool launchAdmin = SettingsRepository<HostsSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.LaunchAdministrator;
+                        bool launchAdmin = SettingsRepository<HostsSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.LaunchAdministrator;
                         string eventName = !App.IsElevated && launchAdmin
                             ? Constants.ShowHostsAdminSharedEvent()
                             : Constants.ShowHostsSharedEvent();

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/MainWindow.xaml.cs

@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI
             // open main window
             ShellPage.SetUpdatingGeneralSettingsCallback((ModuleType moduleType, bool isEnabled) =>
             {
-                SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings> repository = SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils());
+                SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings> repository = SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default);
                 GeneralSettings generalSettingsConfig = repository.SettingsConfig;
                 bool needToUpdate = ModuleHelper.GetIsModuleEnabled(generalSettingsConfig, moduleType) != isEnabled;
 

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/OOBE/Views/OobeAdvancedPaste.xaml.cs

@@ -35,9 +35,9 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.OOBE.Views
         protected override void OnNavigatedTo(NavigationEventArgs e)
         {
             ViewModel.LogOpeningModuleEvent();
-            AdvancedPasteUIHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<AdvancedPasteSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.AdvancedPasteUIShortcut.GetKeysList();
-            PasteAsPlainTextHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<AdvancedPasteSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.PasteAsPlainTextShortcut.GetKeysList();
-            PasteAsMarkdownHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<AdvancedPasteSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.PasteAsMarkdownShortcut.GetKeysList();
+            AdvancedPasteUIHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<AdvancedPasteSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.AdvancedPasteUIShortcut.GetKeysList();
+            PasteAsPlainTextHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<AdvancedPasteSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.PasteAsPlainTextShortcut.GetKeysList();
+            PasteAsMarkdownHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<AdvancedPasteSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.PasteAsMarkdownShortcut.GetKeysList();
 
             // TODO(stefan): Check how to remove additional space if item is set to Collapsed.
             if (PasteAsMarkdownHotkeyControl.Keys.Count > 0)
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.OOBE.Views
                 PasteAsMarkdownHotkeyControl.Visibility = Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Visibility.Visible;
             }
 
-            PasteAsJsonHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<AdvancedPasteSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.PasteAsJsonShortcut.GetKeysList();
+            PasteAsJsonHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<AdvancedPasteSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.PasteAsJsonShortcut.GetKeysList();
             if (PasteAsJsonHotkeyControl.Keys.Count > 0)
             {
                 PasteAsJsonHotkeyControl.Visibility = Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Visibility.Visible;

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/OOBE/Views/OobeAlwaysOnTop.xaml.cs

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.OOBE.Views
         protected override void OnNavigatedTo(NavigationEventArgs e)
         {
             ViewModel.LogOpeningModuleEvent();
-            HotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<AlwaysOnTopSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.Hotkey.Value.GetKeysList();
+            HotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<AlwaysOnTopSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.Hotkey.Value.GetKeysList();
         }
 
         protected override void OnNavigatedFrom(NavigationEventArgs e)

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/OOBE/Views/OobeColorPicker.xaml.cs

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.OOBE.Views
         protected override void OnNavigatedTo(NavigationEventArgs e)
         {
             ViewModel.LogOpeningModuleEvent();
-            ColorPickerSettings settings = new SettingsUtils().GetSettingsOrDefault<ColorPickerSettings, ColorPickerSettingsVersion1>(ColorPickerSettings.ModuleName, settingsUpgrader: ColorPickerSettings.UpgradeSettings);
+            ColorPickerSettings settings = SettingsUtils.Default.GetSettingsOrDefault<ColorPickerSettings, ColorPickerSettingsVersion1>(ColorPickerSettings.ModuleName, settingsUpgrader: ColorPickerSettings.UpgradeSettings);
 
             HotkeyControl.Keys = settings.Properties.ActivationShortcut.GetKeysList();
         }

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/OOBE/Views/OobeCropAndLock.xaml.cs

@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.OOBE.Views
         protected override void OnNavigatedTo(NavigationEventArgs e)
         {
             ViewModel.LogOpeningModuleEvent();
-            ReparentHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<CropAndLockSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.ReparentHotkey.Value.GetKeysList();
-            ThumbnailHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<CropAndLockSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.ThumbnailHotkey.Value.GetKeysList();
+            ReparentHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<CropAndLockSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.ReparentHotkey.Value.GetKeysList();
+            ThumbnailHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<CropAndLockSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.ThumbnailHotkey.Value.GetKeysList();
         }
 
         protected override void OnNavigatedFrom(NavigationEventArgs e)

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/OOBE/Views/OobeEnvironmentVariables.xaml.cs

@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.OOBE.Views
 
         private void Launch_EnvironmentVariables_Click(object sender, Microsoft.UI.Xaml.RoutedEventArgs e)
         {
-            bool launchAdmin = SettingsRepository<EnvironmentVariablesSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.LaunchAdministrator;
+            bool launchAdmin = SettingsRepository<EnvironmentVariablesSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.LaunchAdministrator;
             string eventName = !App.IsElevated && launchAdmin
                 ? Constants.ShowEnvironmentVariablesAdminSharedEvent()
                 : Constants.ShowEnvironmentVariablesSharedEvent();

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/OOBE/Views/OobeFancyZones.xaml.cs

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.OOBE.Views
         protected override void OnNavigatedTo(NavigationEventArgs e)
         {
             ViewModel.LogOpeningModuleEvent();
-            HotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.FancyzonesEditorHotkey.Value.GetKeysList();
+            HotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.FancyzonesEditorHotkey.Value.GetKeysList();
         }
 
         protected override void OnNavigatedFrom(NavigationEventArgs e)

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/OOBE/Views/OobeHosts.xaml.cs

@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.OOBE.Views
 
         private void Launch_Hosts_Click(object sender, Microsoft.UI.Xaml.RoutedEventArgs e)
         {
-            bool launchAdmin = SettingsRepository<HostsSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.LaunchAdministrator;
+            bool launchAdmin = SettingsRepository<HostsSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.LaunchAdministrator;
             string eventName = !App.IsElevated && launchAdmin
                 ? Constants.ShowHostsAdminSharedEvent()
                 : Constants.ShowHostsSharedEvent();

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/OOBE/Views/OobeMeasureTool.xaml.cs

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.OOBE.Views
         protected override void OnNavigatedTo(NavigationEventArgs e)
         {
             ViewModel.LogOpeningModuleEvent();
-            HotkeyActivation.Keys = SettingsRepository<MeasureToolSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.GetKeysList();
+            HotkeyActivation.Keys = SettingsRepository<MeasureToolSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.GetKeysList();
         }
 
         protected override void OnNavigatedFrom(NavigationEventArgs e)

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/OOBE/Views/OobeOverviewAlternate.xaml.cs

@@ -21,10 +21,10 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.OOBE.Views
             ViewModel = new OobePowerToysModule(OobeShellPage.OobeShellHandler.Modules[(int)PowerToysModules.Overview]);
             DataContext = ViewModel;
 
-            FancyZonesHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.FancyzonesEditorHotkey.Value.GetKeysList();
-            RunHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<PowerLauncherSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.OpenPowerLauncher.GetKeysList();
-            ColorPickerHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<ColorPickerSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.GetKeysList();
-            AlwaysOnTopHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<AlwaysOnTopSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.Hotkey.Value.GetKeysList();
+            FancyZonesHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.FancyzonesEditorHotkey.Value.GetKeysList();
+            RunHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<PowerLauncherSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.OpenPowerLauncher.GetKeysList();
+            ColorPickerHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<ColorPickerSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.GetKeysList();
+            AlwaysOnTopHotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<AlwaysOnTopSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.Hotkey.Value.GetKeysList();
         }
 
         private void SettingsLaunchButton_Click(object sender, Microsoft.UI.Xaml.RoutedEventArgs e)

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/OOBE/Views/OobePeek.xaml.cs

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.OOBE.Views
         protected override void OnNavigatedTo(NavigationEventArgs e)
         {
             ViewModel.LogOpeningModuleEvent();
-            HotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<PeekSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.GetKeysList();
+            HotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<PeekSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.GetKeysList();
         }
 
         protected override void OnNavigatedFrom(NavigationEventArgs e)

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/OOBE/Views/OobePowerOCR.xaml.cs

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.OOBE.Views
         protected override void OnNavigatedTo(NavigationEventArgs e)
         {
             ViewModel.LogOpeningModuleEvent();
-            HotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<PowerOcrSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.GetKeysList();
+            HotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<PowerOcrSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.GetKeysList();
         }
 
         protected override void OnNavigatedFrom(NavigationEventArgs e)

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/OOBE/Views/OobeRun.xaml.cs

@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.OOBE.Views
         {
             ViewModel.LogOpeningModuleEvent();
 
-            HotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<PowerLauncherSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.OpenPowerLauncher.GetKeysList();
+            HotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<PowerLauncherSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.OpenPowerLauncher.GetKeysList();
         }
 
         protected override void OnNavigatedFrom(NavigationEventArgs e)

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/OOBE/Views/OobeShellPage.xaml.cs

@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.OOBE.Views
 
         public ObservableCollection<OobePowerToysModule> Modules { get; }
 
-        private static ISettingsUtils settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+        private static ISettingsUtils settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
 
         /* NOTE: Experimentation for OOBE is currently turned off on server side. Keeping this code in a comment to allow future experiments.
           private bool ExperimentationToggleSwitchEnabled { get; set; } = true;

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/OOBE/Views/OobeShortcutGuide.xaml.cs

@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.OOBE.Views
         protected override void OnNavigatedTo(NavigationEventArgs e)
         {
             ViewModel.LogOpeningModuleEvent();
-            var settingsProperties = SettingsRepository<ShortcutGuideSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties;
+            var settingsProperties = SettingsRepository<ShortcutGuideSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties;
 
             if ((bool)settingsProperties.UseLegacyPressWinKeyBehavior.Value)
             {

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/OOBE/Views/OobeWorkspaces.xaml.cs

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.OOBE.Views
         protected override void OnNavigatedTo(NavigationEventArgs e)
         {
             ViewModel.LogOpeningModuleEvent();
-            HotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<WorkspacesSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.Hotkey.Value.GetKeysList();
+            HotkeyControl.Keys = SettingsRepository<WorkspacesSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.Hotkey.Value.GetKeysList();
         }
 
         protected override void OnNavigatedFrom(NavigationEventArgs e)

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/AdvancedPastePage.xaml.cs

@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
 
         public AdvancedPastePage()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new AdvancedPasteViewModel(
                 settingsUtils,
                 SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils),

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/AlwaysOnTopPage.xaml.cs

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
 
         public AlwaysOnTopPage()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new AlwaysOnTopViewModel(settingsUtils, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), SettingsRepository<AlwaysOnTopSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage);
             DataContext = ViewModel;
             InitializeComponent();

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/AwakePage.xaml.cs

@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
         {
             _dispatcherQueue = DispatcherQueue.GetForCurrentThread();
             _fileSystem = new FileSystem();
-            _settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            _settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             _sendConfigMsg = ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage;
 
             ViewModel = new AwakeViewModel();

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/CmdPalPage.xaml.cs

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
 
         public CmdPalPage()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new CmdPalViewModel(
                 settingsUtils,
                 SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils),

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/ColorPickerPage.xaml.cs

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
 
         public ColorPickerPage()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new ColorPickerViewModel(
                 settingsUtils,
                 SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils),

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/CropAndLockPage.xaml.cs

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
 
         public CropAndLockPage()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new CropAndLockViewModel(settingsUtils, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), SettingsRepository<CropAndLockSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage);
             DataContext = ViewModel;
             InitializeComponent();

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/DashboardPage.xaml.cs

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
         public DashboardPage()
         {
             InitializeComponent();
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
 
             ViewModel = new DashboardViewModel(
                SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage);

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/EnvironmentVariablesPage.xaml.cs

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
         public EnvironmentVariablesPage()
         {
             InitializeComponent();
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new EnvironmentVariablesViewModel(settingsUtils, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), SettingsRepository<EnvironmentVariablesSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage, App.IsElevated);
         }
 

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/FancyZonesPage.xaml.cs

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
         public FancyZonesPage()
         {
             InitializeComponent();
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new FancyZonesViewModel(settingsUtils, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage);
             DataContext = ViewModel;
             Loaded += (s, e) => ViewModel.OnPageLoaded();

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/FileLocksmithPage.xaml.cs

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
 
         public FileLocksmithPage()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new FileLocksmithViewModel(settingsUtils, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage);
             DataContext = ViewModel;
             InitializeComponent();

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/GeneralPage.xaml.cs

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
 
             // Load string resources
             var loader = Helpers.ResourceLoaderInstance.ResourceLoader;
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
 
             Action stateUpdatingAction = () =>
             {

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/HostsPage.xaml.cs

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
         public HostsPage()
         {
             InitializeComponent();
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new HostsViewModel(settingsUtils, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), SettingsRepository<HostsSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage, App.IsElevated);
             BackupsCountInputSettingsCard.Header = ResourceLoaderInstance.ResourceLoader.GetString("Hosts_Backup_CountInput_Header");
             BackupsCountInputSettingsCard.Description = ResourceLoaderInstance.ResourceLoader.GetString("Hosts_Backup_CountInput_Description");

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/ImageResizerPage.xaml.cs

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
         public ImageResizerPage()
         {
             InitializeComponent();
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             var resourceLoader = ResourceLoaderInstance.ResourceLoader;
             Func<string, string> loader = resourceLoader.GetString;
 

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/KeyboardManagerPage.xaml.cs

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
 
         public KeyboardManagerPage()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new KeyboardManagerViewModel(settingsUtils, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage, FilterRemapKeysList);
 
             watcher = Helper.GetFileWatcher(

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/LightSwitchPage.xaml.cs

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
 
         public LightSwitchPage()
         {
-            this.settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            this.settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             this.sendConfigMsg = ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage;
 
             this.generalSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(this.settingsUtils);

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/MeasureToolPage.xaml.cs

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
 
         public MeasureToolPage()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new MeasureToolViewModel(
                 settingsUtils,
                 SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils),

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/MouseUtilsPage.xaml.cs

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
             {
                 // By mistake, the first release of Find My Mouse was saving settings in two places at the same time.
                 // Delete the wrong path for Find My Mouse settings.
-                var tempSettingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+                var tempSettingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
                 if (tempSettingsUtils.SettingsExists("Find My Mouse"))
                 {
                     var settingsFilePath = tempSettingsUtils.GetSettingsFilePath("Find My Mouse");
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
             {
             }
 
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new MouseUtilsViewModel(
                 settingsUtils,
                 SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils),

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/MouseWithoutBordersPage.xaml.cs

@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
 
         public MouseWithoutBordersPage()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new MouseWithoutBordersViewModel(
                 settingsUtils,
                 SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils),

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/NewPlusPage.xaml.cs

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
         public NewPlusPage()
         {
             InitializeComponent();
-            var settings_utils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settings_utils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new NewPlusViewModel(settings_utils, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settings_utils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage);
             DataContext = ViewModel;
         }

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/PeekPage.xaml.cs

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
 
         public PeekPage()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new PeekViewModel(
                 settingsUtils,
                 SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils),

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/PowerAccentPage.xaml.cs

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
 
         public PowerAccentPage()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new PowerAccentViewModel(settingsUtils, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage);
             DataContext = ViewModel;
             this.InitializeComponent();

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/PowerLauncherPage.xaml.cs

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
         public PowerLauncherPage()
         {
             InitializeComponent();
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             _lastIPCMessageSentTick = Environment.TickCount;
 
             PowerLauncherSettings settings = SettingsRepository<PowerLauncherSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils)?.SettingsConfig;

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/PowerOcrPage.xaml.cs

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
 
         public PowerOcrPage()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new PowerOcrViewModel(
                 settingsUtils,
                 SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils),

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/PowerPreviewPage.xaml.cs

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
         public PowerPreviewPage()
         {
             InitializeComponent();
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new PowerPreviewViewModel(SettingsRepository<PowerPreviewSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage);
             DataContext = ViewModel;
         }

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/PowerRenamePage.xaml.cs

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
         public PowerRenamePage()
         {
             InitializeComponent();
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new PowerRenameViewModel(settingsUtils, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage);
 
             DataContext = ViewModel;

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/RegistryPreviewPage.xaml.cs

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
 
         public RegistryPreviewPage()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new RegistryPreviewViewModel(
                 SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils),
                 SettingsRepository<RegistryPreviewSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils),

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/ShellPage.xaml.cs

@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
         {
             InitializeComponent();
             SetWindowTitle();
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new ShellViewModel(SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils));
             DataContext = ViewModel;
             ShellHandler = this;

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/ShortcutGuidePage.xaml.cs

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
         {
             InitializeComponent();
 
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new ShortcutGuideViewModel(settingsUtils, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), SettingsRepository<ShortcutGuideSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage);
             DataContext = ViewModel;
 

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/WorkspacesPage.xaml.cs

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
 
         public WorkspacesPage()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new WorkspacesViewModel(settingsUtils, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), SettingsRepository<WorkspacesSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage);
             DataContext = ViewModel;
             InitializeComponent();

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/ZoomItPage.xaml.cs

@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
 
         public ZoomItPage()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             ViewModel = new ZoomItViewModel(settingsUtils, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage, PickFileDialog, PickFontDialog);
             DataContext = ViewModel;
             InitializeComponent();

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/ViewModels/DashboardViewModel.cs

@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
                 if (dashboardListItem.Tag == ModuleType.NewPlus && dashboardListItem.IsEnabled == true)
                 {
-                    var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+                    var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
                     var settings = NewPlusViewModel.LoadSettings(settingsUtils);
                     NewPlusViewModel.CopyTemplateExamples(settings.Properties.TemplateLocation.Value);
                 }
@@ -390,7 +390,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private ObservableCollection<DashboardModuleItem> GetModuleItemsAlwaysOnTop()
         {
-            ISettingsRepository<AlwaysOnTopSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<AlwaysOnTopSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils());
+            ISettingsRepository<AlwaysOnTopSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<AlwaysOnTopSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default);
             var list = new List<DashboardModuleItem>
             {
                 new DashboardModuleShortcutItem() { Label = resourceLoader.GetString("AlwaysOnTop_ShortDescription"), Shortcut = moduleSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig.Properties.Hotkey.Value.GetKeysList() },
@@ -411,7 +411,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private ObservableCollection<DashboardModuleItem> GetModuleItemsColorPicker()
         {
-            ISettingsRepository<ColorPickerSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<ColorPickerSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils());
+            ISettingsRepository<ColorPickerSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<ColorPickerSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default);
             var settings = moduleSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig;
             var hotkey = settings.Properties.ActivationShortcut;
             var list = new List<DashboardModuleItem>
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private ObservableCollection<DashboardModuleItem> GetModuleItemsLightSwitch()
         {
-            ISettingsRepository<LightSwitchSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<LightSwitchSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils());
+            ISettingsRepository<LightSwitchSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<LightSwitchSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default);
             var settings = moduleSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig;
             var list = new List<DashboardModuleItem>
             {
@@ -434,7 +434,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private ObservableCollection<DashboardModuleItem> GetModuleItemsCropAndLock()
         {
-            ISettingsRepository<CropAndLockSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<CropAndLockSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils());
+            ISettingsRepository<CropAndLockSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<CropAndLockSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default);
             var settings = moduleSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig;
             var list = new List<DashboardModuleItem>
             {
@@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private ObservableCollection<DashboardModuleItem> GetModuleItemsFancyZones()
         {
-            ISettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils());
+            ISettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default);
             var settings = moduleSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig;
             string activationMode = $"{resourceLoader.GetString(settings.Properties.FancyzonesShiftDrag.Value ? "FancyZones_ActivationShiftDrag" : "FancyZones_ActivationNoShiftDrag")}.";
 
@@ -470,7 +470,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private ObservableCollection<DashboardModuleItem> GetModuleItemsFindMyMouse()
         {
-            ISettingsRepository<FindMyMouseSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<FindMyMouseSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils());
+            ISettingsRepository<FindMyMouseSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<FindMyMouseSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default);
             string shortDescription = resourceLoader.GetString("FindMyMouse_ShortDescription");
             var settings = moduleSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig;
             var activationMethod = settings.Properties.ActivationMethod.Value;
@@ -508,7 +508,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private ObservableCollection<DashboardModuleItem> GetModuleItemsMouseHighlighter()
         {
-            ISettingsRepository<MouseHighlighterSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<MouseHighlighterSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils());
+            ISettingsRepository<MouseHighlighterSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<MouseHighlighterSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default);
             var list = new List<DashboardModuleItem>
             {
                 new DashboardModuleShortcutItem() { Label = resourceLoader.GetString("MouseHighlighter_ShortDescription"), Shortcut = moduleSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.GetKeysList() },
@@ -518,7 +518,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private ObservableCollection<DashboardModuleItem> GetModuleItemsMouseJump()
         {
-            ISettingsRepository<MouseJumpSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<MouseJumpSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils());
+            ISettingsRepository<MouseJumpSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<MouseJumpSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default);
             var list = new List<DashboardModuleItem>
             {
                 new DashboardModuleShortcutItem() { Label = resourceLoader.GetString("MouseJump_ShortDescription"), Shortcut = moduleSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.GetKeysList() },
@@ -528,7 +528,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private ObservableCollection<DashboardModuleItem> GetModuleItemsMousePointerCrosshairs()
         {
-            ISettingsRepository<MousePointerCrosshairsSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<MousePointerCrosshairsSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils());
+            ISettingsRepository<MousePointerCrosshairsSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<MousePointerCrosshairsSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default);
             var list = new List<DashboardModuleItem>
             {
                 new DashboardModuleShortcutItem() { Label = resourceLoader.GetString("MouseCrosshairs_ShortDescription"), Shortcut = moduleSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.GetKeysList() },
@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private ObservableCollection<DashboardModuleItem> GetModuleItemsAdvancedPaste()
         {
-            ISettingsRepository<AdvancedPasteSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<AdvancedPasteSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils());
+            ISettingsRepository<AdvancedPasteSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<AdvancedPasteSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default);
             var list = new List<DashboardModuleItem>
             {
                 new DashboardModuleShortcutItem() { Label = resourceLoader.GetString("AdvancedPasteUI_Shortcut/Header"), Shortcut = moduleSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig.Properties.AdvancedPasteUIShortcut.GetKeysList() },
@@ -560,7 +560,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private ObservableCollection<DashboardModuleItem> GetModuleItemsPeek()
         {
-            ISettingsRepository<PeekSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<PeekSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils());
+            ISettingsRepository<PeekSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<PeekSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default);
             var list = new List<DashboardModuleItem>
             {
                 new DashboardModuleShortcutItem() { Label = resourceLoader.GetString("Peek_ShortDescription"), Shortcut = moduleSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.GetKeysList() },
@@ -570,7 +570,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private ObservableCollection<DashboardModuleItem> GetModuleItemsPowerLauncher()
         {
-            ISettingsRepository<PowerLauncherSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<PowerLauncherSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils());
+            ISettingsRepository<PowerLauncherSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<PowerLauncherSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default);
             var list = new List<DashboardModuleItem>
             {
                 new DashboardModuleShortcutItem() { Label = resourceLoader.GetString("Run_ShortDescription"), Shortcut = moduleSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig.Properties.OpenPowerLauncher.GetKeysList() },
@@ -580,7 +580,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private ObservableCollection<DashboardModuleItem> GetModuleItemsPowerAccent()
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             PowerAccentSettings moduleSettings = settingsUtils.GetSettingsOrDefault<PowerAccentSettings>(PowerAccentSettings.ModuleName);
             var activationMethod = moduleSettings.Properties.ActivationKey;
             string activation = string.Empty;
@@ -600,7 +600,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private ObservableCollection<DashboardModuleItem> GetModuleItemsWorkspaces()
         {
-            ISettingsRepository<WorkspacesSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<WorkspacesSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils());
+            ISettingsRepository<WorkspacesSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<WorkspacesSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default);
             var settings = moduleSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig;
 
             var list = new List<DashboardModuleItem>
@@ -622,7 +622,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private ObservableCollection<DashboardModuleItem> GetModuleItemsMeasureTool()
         {
-            ISettingsRepository<MeasureToolSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<MeasureToolSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils());
+            ISettingsRepository<MeasureToolSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<MeasureToolSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default);
             var list = new List<DashboardModuleItem>
             {
                 new DashboardModuleShortcutItem() { Label = resourceLoader.GetString("ScreenRuler_ShortDescription"), Shortcut = moduleSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.GetKeysList() },
@@ -632,7 +632,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private ObservableCollection<DashboardModuleItem> GetModuleItemsShortcutGuide()
         {
-            ISettingsRepository<ShortcutGuideSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<ShortcutGuideSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils());
+            ISettingsRepository<ShortcutGuideSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<ShortcutGuideSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default);
 
             var shortcut = moduleSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig.Properties.UseLegacyPressWinKeyBehavior.Value
                 ? new List<object> { 92 } // Right Windows key code
@@ -647,7 +647,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private ObservableCollection<DashboardModuleItem> GetModuleItemsPowerOCR()
         {
-            ISettingsRepository<PowerOcrSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<PowerOcrSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils());
+            ISettingsRepository<PowerOcrSettings> moduleSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<PowerOcrSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default);
             var list = new List<DashboardModuleItem>
             {
                 new DashboardModuleShortcutItem() { Label = resourceLoader.GetString("PowerOcr_ShortDescription"), Shortcut = moduleSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.GetKeysList() },
@@ -662,14 +662,14 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private void EnvironmentVariablesLaunchClicked(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             var environmentVariablesViewModel = new EnvironmentVariablesViewModel(settingsUtils, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), SettingsRepository<EnvironmentVariablesSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage, App.IsElevated);
             environmentVariablesViewModel.Launch();
         }
 
         private void HostLaunchClicked(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
         {
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             var hostsViewModel = new HostsViewModel(settingsUtils, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), SettingsRepository<HostsSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage, App.IsElevated);
             hostsViewModel.Launch();
         }

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/ViewModels/Flyout/LauncherViewModel.cs

@@ -88,12 +88,12 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
         {
             return moduleType switch
             {
-                ModuleType.ColorPicker => SettingsRepository<ColorPickerSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.ToString(),
-                ModuleType.FancyZones => SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.FancyzonesEditorHotkey.Value.ToString(),
-                ModuleType.PowerLauncher => SettingsRepository<PowerLauncherSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.OpenPowerLauncher.ToString(),
-                ModuleType.PowerOCR => SettingsRepository<PowerOcrSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.ToString(),
-                ModuleType.Workspaces => SettingsRepository<WorkspacesSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.Hotkey.Value.ToString(),
-                ModuleType.MeasureTool => SettingsRepository<MeasureToolSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.ToString(),
+                ModuleType.ColorPicker => SettingsRepository<ColorPickerSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.ToString(),
+                ModuleType.FancyZones => SettingsRepository<FancyZonesSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.FancyzonesEditorHotkey.Value.ToString(),
+                ModuleType.PowerLauncher => SettingsRepository<PowerLauncherSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.OpenPowerLauncher.ToString(),
+                ModuleType.PowerOCR => SettingsRepository<PowerOcrSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.ToString(),
+                ModuleType.Workspaces => SettingsRepository<WorkspacesSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.Hotkey.Value.ToString(),
+                ModuleType.MeasureTool => SettingsRepository<MeasureToolSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig.Properties.ActivationShortcut.ToString(),
                 ModuleType.ShortcutGuide => GetShortcutGuideToolTip(),
                 _ => string.Empty,
             };
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         private string GetShortcutGuideToolTip()
         {
-            var shortcutGuideSettings = SettingsRepository<ShortcutGuideSettings>.GetInstance(new SettingsUtils()).SettingsConfig;
+            var shortcutGuideSettings = SettingsRepository<ShortcutGuideSettings>.GetInstance(SettingsUtils.Default).SettingsConfig;
             return shortcutGuideSettings.Properties.UseLegacyPressWinKeyBehavior.Value
                 ? "Win"
                 : shortcutGuideSettings.Properties.OpenShortcutGuide.ToString();

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/ViewModels/GeneralViewModel.cs

@@ -1145,7 +1145,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
             _settingsBackupMessage = GetResourceString(results.Message) + results.OptionalMessage;
 
             // now we do a dry run to get the results for "setting match"
-            var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+            var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
             var appBasePath = Path.GetDirectoryName(settingsUtils.GetSettingsFilePath());
             settingsBackupAndRestoreUtils.BackupSettings(appBasePath, settingsBackupAndRestoreDir, true);
 

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/ViewModels/KeyboardManagerViewModel.cs

@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
                 try
                 {
                     // Check if the experimentation toggle is enabled in the settings
-                    var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
+                    var settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
                     bool isExperimentationEnabled = SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils).SettingsConfig.EnableExperimentation;
 
                     // Only read the registry value if the experimentation toggle is enabled