diff --git a/Source/AppScaffolding/LibationScaffolding.cs b/Source/AppScaffolding/LibationScaffolding.cs
index 5c6af0df..a44fe2d3 100644
--- a/Source/AppScaffolding/LibationScaffolding.cs
+++ b/Source/AppScaffolding/LibationScaffolding.cs
@@ -77,7 +77,6 @@ namespace AppScaffolding
 		public static void RunPostConfigMigrations(Configuration config)
 		{
 			AudibleApiStorage.EnsureAccountsSettingsFileExists();
-			PopulateMissingConfigValues(config);
 
 			//
 			// migrations go below here
@@ -86,110 +85,6 @@ namespace AppScaffolding
 			Migrations.migrate_to_v6_6_9(config);
 		}
 
-		public static void PopulateMissingConfigValues(Configuration config)
-		{
-			config.InProgress ??= Configuration.WinTemp;
-
-            if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.UseCoverAsFolderIcon)))
-                config.UseCoverAsFolderIcon = false;
-
-            if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.BetaOptIn)))
-                config.BetaOptIn = false;
-
-            if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.AllowLibationFixup)))
-				config.AllowLibationFixup = true;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.CreateCueSheet)))
-				config.CreateCueSheet = true;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.RetainAaxFile)))
-				config.RetainAaxFile = false;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.SplitFilesByChapter)))
-				config.SplitFilesByChapter = false;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.StripUnabridged)))
-				config.StripUnabridged = false;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.StripAudibleBrandAudio)))
-				config.StripAudibleBrandAudio = false;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.DecryptToLossy)))
-				config.DecryptToLossy = false;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.LameTargetBitrate)))
-				config.LameTargetBitrate = false;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.LameDownsampleMono)))
-				config.LameDownsampleMono = true;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.LameBitrate)))
-				config.LameBitrate = 64;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.LameConstantBitrate)))
-				config.LameConstantBitrate = false;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.LameMatchSourceBR)))
-				config.LameMatchSourceBR = true;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.LameVBRQuality)))
-				config.LameVBRQuality = 2;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.BadBook)))
-				config.BadBook = Configuration.BadBookAction.Ask;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.ShowImportedStats)))
-				config.ShowImportedStats = true;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.ImportEpisodes)))
-				config.ImportEpisodes = true;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.DownloadEpisodes)))
-				config.DownloadEpisodes = true;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.ReplacementCharacters)))
-				config.ReplacementCharacters = FileManager.ReplacementCharacters.Default;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.FolderTemplate)))
-				config.FolderTemplate = Templates.Folder.DefaultTemplate;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.FileTemplate)))
-				config.FileTemplate = Templates.File.DefaultTemplate;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.ChapterFileTemplate)))
-				config.ChapterFileTemplate = Templates.ChapterFile.DefaultTemplate;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.ChapterTitleTemplate)))
-				config.ChapterTitleTemplate = Templates.ChapterTitle.DefaultTemplate;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.AutoScan)))
-				config.AutoScan = true;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.GridColumnsVisibilities)))
-				config.GridColumnsVisibilities = new Dictionary<string, bool>();
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.GridColumnsDisplayIndices)))
-				config.GridColumnsDisplayIndices = new Dictionary<string, int>();
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.GridColumnsWidths)))
-				config.GridColumnsWidths = new Dictionary<string, int>();
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.DownloadCoverArt)))
-				config.DownloadCoverArt = true;
-			
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.DownloadClipsBookmarks)))
-				config.DownloadClipsBookmarks = false;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.ClipsBookmarksFileFormat)))
-				config.ClipsBookmarksFileFormat = Configuration.ClipBookmarkFormat.CSV;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.AutoDownloadEpisodes)))
-				config.AutoDownloadEpisodes = false;
-
-			if (!config.Exists(nameof(config.DownloadSpeedLimit)))
-				config.DownloadSpeedLimit = 0;
-		}
-
 		/// <summary>Initialize logging. Wire-up events. Run after migration</summary>
 		public static void RunPostMigrationScaffolding(Configuration config)
 		{
diff --git a/Source/FileManager/PersistentDictionary.cs b/Source/FileManager/PersistentDictionary.cs
index 315bcd36..99a2de79 100644
--- a/Source/FileManager/PersistentDictionary.cs
+++ b/Source/FileManager/PersistentDictionary.cs
@@ -33,29 +33,34 @@ namespace FileManager
             createNewFile();
         }
 
-        public string GetString(string propertyName)
+        public string GetString(string propertyName, string defaultValue = null)
         {
             if (!stringCache.ContainsKey(propertyName))
             {
                 var jObject = readFile();
-                if (!jObject.ContainsKey(propertyName))
-                    return null;
-                stringCache[propertyName] = jObject[propertyName].Value<string>();
+                if (jObject.ContainsKey(propertyName))
+                    stringCache[propertyName] = jObject[propertyName].Value<string>();
+                else
+                    stringCache[propertyName] = defaultValue;
             }
 
             return stringCache[propertyName];
         }
 
-        public T GetNonString<T>(string propertyName)
+        public T GetNonString<T>(string propertyName, T defaultValue = default)
         {
             var obj = GetObject(propertyName);
 
-            if (obj is null) return default;
+            if (obj is null)
+            {
+                objectCache[propertyName] = defaultValue;
+                return defaultValue;
+            }
             if (obj.GetType().IsAssignableTo(typeof(T))) return (T)obj;
             if (obj is JObject jObject) return jObject.ToObject<T>();
             if (obj is JValue jValue)
             {
-                if (jValue.Type == JTokenType.String && typeof(T).IsAssignableTo(typeof(Enum)))
+                if (typeof(T).IsAssignableTo(typeof(Enum)))
                 {
                     return
                         Enum.TryParse(typeof(T), jValue.Value<string>(), out var enumVal)
diff --git a/Source/LibationAvalonia/App.axaml.cs b/Source/LibationAvalonia/App.axaml.cs
index a7dcc392..e4b5d3db 100644
--- a/Source/LibationAvalonia/App.axaml.cs
+++ b/Source/LibationAvalonia/App.axaml.cs
@@ -131,8 +131,6 @@ namespace LibationAvalonia
 		{
 			config.Books ??= Path.Combine(Configuration.UserProfile, "Books");
 
-			AppScaffolding.LibationScaffolding.PopulateMissingConfigValues(config);
-
 			var settingsDialog = new SettingsDialog();
 			desktop.MainWindow = settingsDialog;
 			settingsDialog.RestoreSizeAndLocation(Configuration.Instance);
diff --git a/Source/LibationAvalonia/Controls/DataGridMyRatingColumn.cs b/Source/LibationAvalonia/Controls/DataGridMyRatingColumn.cs
index 36df2d0c..3fefa38c 100644
--- a/Source/LibationAvalonia/Controls/DataGridMyRatingColumn.cs
+++ b/Source/LibationAvalonia/Controls/DataGridMyRatingColumn.cs
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 using Avalonia.Controls;
 using Avalonia.Interactivity;
 using DataLayer;
+using LibationAvalonia.ViewModels;
+using ReactiveUI;
+using System;
 
 namespace LibationAvalonia.Controls
 {
@@ -29,6 +32,21 @@ namespace LibationAvalonia.Controls
 				myRatingElement.Bind(BindingTarget, Binding);
 			}
 
+			void setControlBackground(object dataContext)
+			{
+				if (dataContext is GridEntry ge)
+					myRatingElement.Background = ge.BackgroundBrush;
+			}
+
+			setControlBackground(cell?.DataContext);
+
+			var subscriber =
+				cell
+				?.ObservableForProperty(g => g.DataContext)
+				?.Subscribe(ctx => setControlBackground(ctx?.Value));
+
+			myRatingElement.DetachedFromVisualTree += (_, _) => subscriber?.Dispose();
+
 			return myRatingElement;
 		}
 
diff --git a/Source/LibationAvalonia/FormSaveExtension.cs b/Source/LibationAvalonia/FormSaveExtension.cs
index 384f3323..748bb344 100644
--- a/Source/LibationAvalonia/FormSaveExtension.cs
+++ b/Source/LibationAvalonia/FormSaveExtension.cs
@@ -28,8 +28,7 @@ namespace LibationAvalonia
 			if (Design.IsDesignMode) return;
 			try
 			{
-
-				FormSizeAndPosition savedState = config.GetNonString<FormSizeAndPosition>(form.GetType().Name);
+				var savedState = config.GetNonString<FormSizeAndPosition>(defaultValue: null, form.GetType().Name);
 
 				if (savedState is null)
 					return;
diff --git a/Source/LibationAvalonia/ViewModels/GridEntry.cs b/Source/LibationAvalonia/ViewModels/GridEntry.cs
index 24d57a76..4219699e 100644
--- a/Source/LibationAvalonia/ViewModels/GridEntry.cs
+++ b/Source/LibationAvalonia/ViewModels/GridEntry.cs
@@ -57,13 +57,6 @@ namespace LibationAvalonia.ViewModels
 					&& updateReviewTask?.IsCompleted is not false)
 				{
 					updateReviewTask = UpdateRating(value);
-					updateReviewTask.ContinueWith(t =>
-					{
-						if (t.Result)
-							LibraryBook.Book.UpdateUserDefinedItem(Book.UserDefinedItem.Tags, Book.UserDefinedItem.BookStatus, Book.UserDefinedItem.PdfStatus, value);
-
-						this.RaiseAndSetIfChanged(ref _myRating, value);
-					});
 				}
 			}
 		}
@@ -82,12 +75,18 @@ namespace LibationAvalonia.ViewModels
 
 		#region User rating
 
-		private Task<bool> updateReviewTask;
-		private async Task<bool> UpdateRating(Rating rating)
+		private Task updateReviewTask;
+		private async Task UpdateRating(Rating rating)
 		{
 			var api = await LibraryBook.GetApiAsync();
 
-			return await api.ReviewAsync(Book.AudibleProductId, (int)rating.OverallRating, (int)rating.PerformanceRating, (int)rating.StoryRating);
+			if (await api.ReviewAsync(Book.AudibleProductId, (int)rating.OverallRating, (int)rating.PerformanceRating, (int)rating.StoryRating))
+			{
+				_myRating = rating;
+				LibraryBook.Book.UpdateUserDefinedItem(Book.UserDefinedItem.Tags, Book.UserDefinedItem.BookStatus, Book.UserDefinedItem.PdfStatus, rating);
+			}
+
+			this.RaisePropertyChanged(nameof(MyRating));
 		}
 
 		#endregion
diff --git a/Source/LibationAvalonia/ViewModels/ProductsDisplayViewModel.cs b/Source/LibationAvalonia/ViewModels/ProductsDisplayViewModel.cs
index 477282b7..2083768c 100644
--- a/Source/LibationAvalonia/ViewModels/ProductsDisplayViewModel.cs
+++ b/Source/LibationAvalonia/ViewModels/ProductsDisplayViewModel.cs
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ namespace LibationAvalonia.ViewModels
 				//Run query on new list
 				FilteredInGridEntries = QueryResults(SOURCE, FilterString);
 
-				await Dispatcher.UIThread.InvokeAsync(GridEntries.Refresh);
+				await refreshGrid();
 
 			}
 			catch (Exception ex)
@@ -86,6 +86,14 @@ namespace LibationAvalonia.ViewModels
 			}
 		}
 
+		private async Task refreshGrid()
+		{
+			if (GridEntries.IsEditingItem)
+				await Dispatcher.UIThread.InvokeAsync(GridEntries.CommitEdit);
+
+			await Dispatcher.UIThread.InvokeAsync(GridEntries.Refresh);
+		}
+
 		private static List<GridEntry> CreateGridEntries(IEnumerable<LibraryBook> dbBooks)
 		{
 			var geList = dbBooks
@@ -118,10 +126,11 @@ namespace LibationAvalonia.ViewModels
 			return bookList;
 		}
 
-		public void ToggleSeriesExpanded(SeriesEntry seriesEntry)
+		public async Task ToggleSeriesExpanded(SeriesEntry seriesEntry)
 		{
 			seriesEntry.Liberate.Expanded = !seriesEntry.Liberate.Expanded;
-			GridEntries.Refresh();
+
+			await refreshGrid();
 		}
 
 		#endregion
@@ -140,7 +149,7 @@ namespace LibationAvalonia.ViewModels
 
 			FilteredInGridEntries = QueryResults(SOURCE, searchString);
 
-			await Dispatcher.UIThread.InvokeAsync(GridEntries.Refresh);
+			await refreshGrid();
 		}
 
 		private bool CollectionFilter(object item)
@@ -176,11 +185,7 @@ namespace LibationAvalonia.ViewModels
 			if (filterResults is not null && FilteredInGridEntries.Intersect(filterResults).Count() != FilteredInGridEntries.Count)
 			{
 				FilteredInGridEntries = filterResults;
-
-				if (GridEntries.IsEditingItem)
-					GridEntries.CommitEdit();
-
-				await Dispatcher.UIThread.InvokeAsync(GridEntries.Refresh);
+				await refreshGrid();
 			}
 		}
 
diff --git a/Source/LibationAvalonia/Views/MainWindow.ProcessQueue.cs b/Source/LibationAvalonia/Views/MainWindow.ProcessQueue.cs
index b14acea3..d6bdad54 100644
--- a/Source/LibationAvalonia/Views/MainWindow.ProcessQueue.cs
+++ b/Source/LibationAvalonia/Views/MainWindow.ProcessQueue.cs
@@ -6,12 +6,11 @@ using System.Linq;
 
 namespace LibationAvalonia.Views
 {
-	//DONE
 	public partial class MainWindow
 	{
 		private void Configure_ProcessQueue()
 		{
-			var collapseState = !Configuration.Instance.GetNonString<bool>(nameof(_viewModel.QueueOpen));
+			var collapseState = !Configuration.Instance.GetNonString(defaultValue: true, nameof(_viewModel.QueueOpen));
 			SetQueueCollapseState(collapseState);
 		}
 
@@ -51,12 +50,12 @@ namespace LibationAvalonia.Views
 		private void SetQueueCollapseState(bool collapsed)
 		{
 			_viewModel.QueueOpen = !collapsed;
+			Configuration.Instance.SetNonString(!collapsed, nameof(_viewModel.QueueOpen));
 		}
 
 		public void ToggleQueueHideBtn_Click(object sender, Avalonia.Interactivity.RoutedEventArgs e)
 		{
 			SetQueueCollapseState(_viewModel.QueueOpen);
-			Configuration.Instance.SetNonString(_viewModel.QueueOpen, nameof(_viewModel.QueueOpen));
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/Source/LibationAvalonia/Views/MainWindow.Update.cs b/Source/LibationAvalonia/Views/MainWindow.Update.cs
index 40f515cc..99d2bfa8 100644
--- a/Source/LibationAvalonia/Views/MainWindow.Update.cs
+++ b/Source/LibationAvalonia/Views/MainWindow.Update.cs
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ namespace LibationAvalonia.Views
 				const string ignoreUpdate = "IgnoreUpdate";
 				var config = Configuration.Instance;
 
-				if (config.GetString(ignoreUpdate) == upgradeProperties.LatestRelease.ToString())
+				if (config.GetString(propertyName: ignoreUpdate) == upgradeProperties.LatestRelease.ToString())
 					return;
 
 				var notificationResult = await new UpgradeNotificationDialog(upgradeProperties, Configuration.IsWindows).ShowDialog<DialogResult>(this);
diff --git a/Source/LibationFileManager/Configuration.PersistentSettings.cs b/Source/LibationFileManager/Configuration.PersistentSettings.cs
index 6e7b280c..0482a96a 100644
--- a/Source/LibationFileManager/Configuration.PersistentSettings.cs
+++ b/Source/LibationFileManager/Configuration.PersistentSettings.cs
@@ -20,9 +20,9 @@ namespace LibationFileManager
 
 		private PersistentDictionary persistentDictionary;
 
-		public T GetNonString<T>([CallerMemberName] string propertyName = "") => persistentDictionary.GetNonString<T>(propertyName);
+		public T GetNonString<T>(T defaultValue, [CallerMemberName] string propertyName = "") => persistentDictionary.GetNonString(propertyName, defaultValue);
 		public object GetObject([CallerMemberName] string propertyName = "") => persistentDictionary.GetObject(propertyName);
-		public string GetString([CallerMemberName] string propertyName = "") => persistentDictionary.GetString(propertyName);
+		public string GetString(string defaultValue = null, [CallerMemberName] string propertyName = "") => persistentDictionary.GetString(propertyName, defaultValue);
 		public void SetNonString(object newValue, [CallerMemberName] string propertyName = "")
 		{
 			var existing = getExistingValue(propertyName);
@@ -74,77 +74,82 @@ namespace LibationFileManager
 		public bool Exists(string propertyName) => persistentDictionary.Exists(propertyName);
 
 		[Description("Set cover art as the folder's icon. (Windows only)")]
-		public bool UseCoverAsFolderIcon { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool UseCoverAsFolderIcon { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: false); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Use the beta version of Libation\r\nNew and experimental features, but probably buggy.\r\n(requires restart to take effect)")]
-		public bool BetaOptIn { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool BetaOptIn { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: false); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Location for book storage. Includes destination of newly liberated books")]
 		public string Books { get => GetString(); set => SetString(value); }
 
 		// temp/working dir(s) should be outside of dropbox
 		[Description("Temporary location of files while they're in process of being downloaded and decrypted.\r\nWhen decryption is complete, the final file will be in Books location\r\nRecommend not using a folder which is backed up real time. Eg: Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive")]
-		public string InProgress { get => GetString(); set => SetString(value); }
+		public string InProgress { get
+			{
+				var tempDir = GetString();
+				return string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(tempDir) ? WinTemp : tempDir;
+			}
+			set => SetString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Allow Libation to fix up audiobook metadata")]
-		public bool AllowLibationFixup { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool AllowLibationFixup { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: true); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Create a cue sheet (.cue)")]
-		public bool CreateCueSheet { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool CreateCueSheet { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: true); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Retain the Aax file after successfully decrypting")]
-		public bool RetainAaxFile { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool RetainAaxFile { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: false); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Split my books into multiple files by chapter")]
-		public bool SplitFilesByChapter { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool SplitFilesByChapter { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: false); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Merge Opening/End Credits into the following/preceding chapters")]
-		public bool MergeOpeningAndEndCredits { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool MergeOpeningAndEndCredits { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: false); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Strip \"(Unabridged)\" from audiobook metadata tags")]
-		public bool StripUnabridged { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool StripUnabridged { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: false); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Strip audible branding from the start and end of audiobooks.\r\n(e.g. \"This is Audible\")")]
-		public bool StripAudibleBrandAudio { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool StripAudibleBrandAudio { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: false); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Decrypt to lossy format?")]
-		public bool DecryptToLossy { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool DecryptToLossy { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: false); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Lame encoder target. true = Bitrate, false = Quality")]
-		public bool LameTargetBitrate { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool LameTargetBitrate { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: false); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Lame encoder downsamples to mono")]
-		public bool LameDownsampleMono {  get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool LameDownsampleMono {  get => GetNonString(defaultValue: true); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Lame target bitrate [16,320]")]
-		public int LameBitrate {  get => GetNonString<int>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public int LameBitrate {  get => GetNonString(defaultValue: 64); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Restrict encoder to constant bitrate?")]
-		public bool LameConstantBitrate { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool LameConstantBitrate { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: false); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Match the source bitrate?")]
-		public bool LameMatchSourceBR { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool LameMatchSourceBR { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: true); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Lame target VBR quality [10,100]")]
-		public int LameVBRQuality { get => GetNonString<int>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public int LameVBRQuality { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: 2); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
-        [Description("A Dictionary of GridView data property names and bool indicating its column's visibility in ProductsGrid")]
-        public Dictionary<string, bool> GridColumnsVisibilities { get => GetNonString<EquatableDictionary<string, bool>>()?.Clone() ?? new(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		[Description("A Dictionary of GridView data property names and bool indicating its column's visibility in ProductsGrid")]
+		public Dictionary<string, bool> GridColumnsVisibilities { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: new EquatableDictionary<string, bool>()).Clone(); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
-        [Description("A Dictionary of GridView data property names and int indicating its column's display index in ProductsGrid")]
-        public Dictionary<string, int> GridColumnsDisplayIndices { get => GetNonString<EquatableDictionary<string, int>>()?.Clone() ?? new(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		[Description("A Dictionary of GridView data property names and int indicating its column's display index in ProductsGrid")]
+		public Dictionary<string, int> GridColumnsDisplayIndices { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: new EquatableDictionary<string, int>()).Clone(); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
-        [Description("A Dictionary of GridView data property names and int indicating its column's width in ProductsGrid")]
-        public Dictionary<string, int> GridColumnsWidths { get => GetNonString<EquatableDictionary<string, int>>()?.Clone() ?? new(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		[Description("A Dictionary of GridView data property names and int indicating its column's width in ProductsGrid")]
+		public Dictionary<string, int> GridColumnsWidths { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: new EquatableDictionary<string, int>()).Clone(); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
-        [Description("Save cover image alongside audiobook?")]
-		public bool DownloadCoverArt { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		[Description("Save cover image alongside audiobook?")]
+		public bool DownloadCoverArt { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: false); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Download clips and bookmarks?")]
-		public bool DownloadClipsBookmarks { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool DownloadClipsBookmarks { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: false); set => SetNonString(value); }
 		
 		[Description("File format to save clips and bookmarks")]
-		public ClipBookmarkFormat ClipsBookmarksFileFormat { get => GetNonString<ClipBookmarkFormat>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public ClipBookmarkFormat ClipsBookmarksFileFormat { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: ClipBookmarkFormat.CSV); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[JsonConverter(typeof(StringEnumConverter))]
 		public enum ClipBookmarkFormat
@@ -171,33 +176,33 @@ namespace LibationFileManager
 		}
 
 		[Description("When liberating books and there is an error, Libation should:")]
-		public BadBookAction BadBook { get => GetNonString<BadBookAction>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public BadBookAction BadBook { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: BadBookAction.Ask); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Show number of newly imported titles? When unchecked, no pop-up will appear after library scan.")]
-		public bool ShowImportedStats { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool ShowImportedStats { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: true); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Import episodes? (eg: podcasts) When unchecked, episodes will not be imported into Libation.")]
-		public bool ImportEpisodes { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool ImportEpisodes { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: true); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Download episodes? (eg: podcasts). When unchecked, episodes already in Libation will not be downloaded.")]
-		public bool DownloadEpisodes { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool DownloadEpisodes { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: true); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Automatically run periodic scans in the background?")]
-		public bool AutoScan { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool AutoScan { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: true); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Auto download books? After scan, download new books in 'checked' accounts.")]
 		// poorly named setting. Should just be 'AutoDownload'. It is NOT episode specific
-		public bool AutoDownloadEpisodes { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool AutoDownloadEpisodes { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: false); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Save all podcast episodes in a series to the series parent folder?")]
-		public bool SavePodcastsToParentFolder { get => GetNonString<bool>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public bool SavePodcastsToParentFolder { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: false); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("Global download speed limit in bytes per second.")]
 		public long DownloadSpeedLimit
 		{
 			get
 			{
-				var limit = GetNonString<long>();
+				var limit = GetNonString(defaultValue: 0L);
 				return limit <= 0 ? 0 : Math.Max(limit, AaxDecrypter.NetworkFileStream.MIN_BYTES_PER_SECOND);
 			}
 			set
@@ -210,42 +215,41 @@ namespace LibationFileManager
 		#region templates: custom file naming
 
 		[Description("Edit how filename characters are replaced")]
-		public ReplacementCharacters ReplacementCharacters { get => GetNonString<ReplacementCharacters>(); set => SetNonString(value); }
+		public ReplacementCharacters ReplacementCharacters { get => GetNonString(defaultValue: ReplacementCharacters.Default); set => SetNonString(value); }
 
 		[Description("How to format the folders in which files will be saved")]
 		public string FolderTemplate
 		{
-			get => getTemplate(nameof(FolderTemplate), Templates.Folder);
-			set => setTemplate(nameof(FolderTemplate), Templates.Folder, value);
+			get => Templates.Folder.GetValid(GetString(defaultValue: Templates.Folder.DefaultTemplate));
+			set => setTemplate(Templates.Folder, value);
 		}
 
 		[Description("How to format the saved pdf and audio files")]
 		public string FileTemplate
 		{
-			get => getTemplate(nameof(FileTemplate), Templates.File);
-			set => setTemplate(nameof(FileTemplate), Templates.File, value);
+			get => Templates.File.GetValid(GetString(defaultValue: Templates.File.DefaultTemplate));
+			set => setTemplate(Templates.File, value);
 		}
 
 		[Description("How to format the saved audio files when split by chapters")]
 		public string ChapterFileTemplate
 		{
-			get => getTemplate(nameof(ChapterFileTemplate), Templates.ChapterFile);
-			set => setTemplate(nameof(ChapterFileTemplate), Templates.ChapterFile, value);
+			get => Templates.ChapterFile.GetValid(GetString(defaultValue: Templates.ChapterFile.DefaultTemplate));
+			set => setTemplate(Templates.ChapterFile, value);
 		}
 
 		[Description("How to format the file's Tile stored in metadata")]
 		public string ChapterTitleTemplate
 		{
-			get => getTemplate(nameof(ChapterTitleTemplate), Templates.ChapterTitle);
-			set => setTemplate(nameof(ChapterTitleTemplate), Templates.ChapterTitle, value);
+			get => Templates.ChapterTitle.GetValid(GetString(defaultValue: Templates.ChapterTitle.DefaultTemplate));
+			set => setTemplate(Templates.ChapterTitle, value);
 		}
 
-		private string getTemplate(string settingName, Templates templ) => templ.GetValid(GetString(settingName));
-		private void setTemplate(string settingName, Templates templ, string newValue)
+		private void setTemplate(Templates templ, string newValue, [CallerMemberName] string propertyName = "")
 		{
 			var template = newValue?.Trim();
 			if (templ.IsValid(template))
-				SetString(template, settingName);
+				SetString(template, propertyName);
 		}
 		#endregion
 	}
diff --git a/Source/LibationFileManager/Configuration.PropertyChange.cs b/Source/LibationFileManager/Configuration.PropertyChange.cs
index 4abbd0b3..c2e0fa76 100644
--- a/Source/LibationFileManager/Configuration.PropertyChange.cs
+++ b/Source/LibationFileManager/Configuration.PropertyChange.cs
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ namespace LibationFileManager
 		private class EquatableDictionary<TKey, TValue> : Dictionary<TKey, TValue>
 		{
 			public EquatableDictionary() { }
-            public EquatableDictionary(IEnumerable<KeyValuePair<TKey, TValue>> keyValuePairs) : base(keyValuePairs) { }
+			public EquatableDictionary(IEnumerable<KeyValuePair<TKey, TValue>> keyValuePairs) : base(keyValuePairs) { }
 			public EquatableDictionary<TKey, TValue> Clone() => new(this);
 			public override bool Equals(object obj)
 			{
diff --git a/Source/LibationFileManager/Configuration.cs b/Source/LibationFileManager/Configuration.cs
index d40ba59a..d66d0c13 100644
--- a/Source/LibationFileManager/Configuration.cs
+++ b/Source/LibationFileManager/Configuration.cs
@@ -24,9 +24,6 @@ namespace LibationFileManager
 			if (booksDir is null || !Directory.Exists(booksDir))
 				return false;
 
-			if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(pDic.GetString(nameof(InProgress))))
-				return false;
-
 			return true;
 		}
 
diff --git a/Source/LibationWinForms/Dialogs/UpgradeNotificationDialog.cs b/Source/LibationWinForms/Dialogs/UpgradeNotificationDialog.cs
index 8bb7ebdc..bb8bfd69 100644
--- a/Source/LibationWinForms/Dialogs/UpgradeNotificationDialog.cs
+++ b/Source/LibationWinForms/Dialogs/UpgradeNotificationDialog.cs
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ namespace LibationWinForms.Dialogs
 		private void UpgradeNotificationDialog_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
 		{
 			//This dialog starts before Form1, soposition it at the center of where Form1 will be.
-			var savedState = Configuration.Instance.GetNonString<FormSizeAndPosition>(nameof(Form1));
+			var savedState = Configuration.Instance.GetNonString<FormSizeAndPosition>(defaultValue: null, nameof(Form1));
 
 			if (savedState is null) return;
 
diff --git a/Source/LibationWinForms/Form1.ProcessQueue.cs b/Source/LibationWinForms/Form1.ProcessQueue.cs
index 62bae864..398e0802 100644
--- a/Source/LibationWinForms/Form1.ProcessQueue.cs
+++ b/Source/LibationWinForms/Form1.ProcessQueue.cs
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ namespace LibationWinForms
 		{
 			processBookQueue1.popoutBtn.Click += ProcessBookQueue1_PopOut;
 			splitContainer1.Panel2MinSize = 350;
-			var coppalseState = Configuration.Instance.GetNonString<bool>(nameof(splitContainer1.Panel2Collapsed));
+			var coppalseState = Configuration.Instance.GetNonString(defaultValue: false, nameof(splitContainer1.Panel2Collapsed));
 			WidthChange = splitContainer1.Panel2.Width + splitContainer1.SplitterWidth;
 			int width = this.Width;
 			SetQueueCollapseState(coppalseState);
diff --git a/Source/LibationWinForms/FormSaveExtension.cs b/Source/LibationWinForms/FormSaveExtension.cs
index f5763ad3..3ab11630 100644
--- a/Source/LibationWinForms/FormSaveExtension.cs
+++ b/Source/LibationWinForms/FormSaveExtension.cs
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ namespace LibationWinForms
 
 		public static void RestoreSizeAndLocation(this Form form, Configuration config)
 		{
-			FormSizeAndPosition savedState = config.GetNonString<FormSizeAndPosition>(form.Name);
+			var savedState = config.GetNonString<FormSizeAndPosition>(defaultValue: null, form.Name);
 
 			if (savedState is null)
 				return;
diff --git a/Source/LibationWinForms/Program.cs b/Source/LibationWinForms/Program.cs
index 7cb9bc75..66ab6fc9 100644
--- a/Source/LibationWinForms/Program.cs
+++ b/Source/LibationWinForms/Program.cs
@@ -144,7 +144,6 @@ namespace LibationWinForms
 			// INIT DEFAULT SETTINGS
 			// if 'new user' was clicked, or if 'returning user' chose new install: show basic settings dialog
 			config.Books ??= Path.Combine(defaultLibationFilesDir, "Books");
-			AppScaffolding.LibationScaffolding.PopulateMissingConfigValues(config);
 
 			if (new SettingsDialog().ShowDialog() != DialogResult.OK)
 			{
diff --git a/Source/LibationWinForms/Updater.cs b/Source/LibationWinForms/Updater.cs
index 6e2c1eb7..3bb6a926 100644
--- a/Source/LibationWinForms/Updater.cs
+++ b/Source/LibationWinForms/Updater.cs
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ namespace LibationWinForms
 				const string ignoreUpdate = "IgnoreUpdate";
 				var config = Configuration.Instance;
 
-				if (config.GetString(ignoreUpdate) == args.CurrentVersion)
+				if (config.GetString(propertyName: ignoreUpdate) == args.CurrentVersion)
 					return;
 
 				var notificationResult = new UpgradeNotificationDialog(upgradeProperties).ShowDialog();