Every time, when opening a new document, I have to set document properties -- screen size, zoom -- every aspect of how I want the page to look. 

How can I make that setup the default, so the program opens to the same setting each time?

Thx.

You have to modify the default template (default.svg) see https://www.google.com/search?q=inkscape+default.svg

Thanks, Patrick

I went thru the steps outlined on YouTube - several times. Each time I tried to "save" the modified version, I got a  popup telling me the file could not be saved.

I uninstalled then reinstalled Inkscape - same issue. Any ideas?

Thanks.

John

I would save the modified default.svg to the desktop, then use a file manager move it to the user "templates" directory (hinted at in the Inkscape menu: Edit>Preferences>System... the templates directory is not stated expressly, but the path will be similar to any of the "user" selections).

TD

Yes, the template should go into your profile directory (to which you have write access). The message you're reporting suggest you tried to save the template into a system location.

You did not say which OS you're on, so we can't tell you the location directly, but with the steps Tyler suggested you should be able to find the correct location.

Saving "default" to the desktop, then moving it to the templates folder solved the problem.

Thanks!