Annotate tool settings/prefs

I get the error message, "unable to open/create Prefs file", displayed in the message centre 4 times in a row when I open ABD. 

It appears this is related to TF annotate tool settings, as I cannot alter and update any of these.Well, I can change and update, but once I close the annotate tool settings window and open again, all changes have been reset. Each time i try this, the same  "unable to open/create Prefs file" message appears 4 times in a row in the message centre. 

Why would this be occurring? It is not a permissions issue as I have looked into that already. All files appear to be editable and not read only. 

ABD - 08.11.09.593