You can create a backup copy of your preferences by exporting them: just click File > Preferences, right-click Preferences (Application) and click Export. You can then restore your personalized settings by importing the backup copy (for example, if someone else sits at your desk can changes everything, you can easily get back your settings).

Or, if you suspect that some preference setting is causing Softimage to mis-behave, you can export your current settings before you restore the defaults.

Note that you can also import, export, and restore defaults for specific categories: