Summary
I’m setting up a Windows source build of Unreal Engine 5.8.4. After launching the editor without opening a project, I noticed a new Engine/Config/DefaultEngine.ini inside the engine checkout.
The file contains Android File Server settings, including an automatically generated SecurityToken. It appears as an untracked file in Git.
Environment
- Unreal Engine 5.8.4, built from source.
- Windows, Win64 Development Editor.
- AndroidFileServer enabled by default.
- No project open and no Android packaging or deployment performed.
What Type of Bug are you experiencing?
Editor
Steps to Reproduce
- Start with default Android File Server settings, before its security token has been generated, and no existing
Engine/Config/DefaultEngine.ini. - Launch
Engine/Binaries/Win64/UnrealEditor.exewithout a project argument. - Remain on the editor home screen/project browser without opening or creating a project.
- Check
Engine/Config/DefaultEngine.iniand the checkout’s Git status.
Expected Result
Opening the project browser should leave the engine checkout clean, without generating persistent project configuration inside it.
Observed Result
An engine-level DefaultEngine.ini is generated containing Android File Server settings and a security token. The file is not ignored by the repository’s existing rules.
Affects Versions
5.8
Platform(s)
Windows
Additional Notes
UAndroidFileServerRuntimeSettings::PostInitProperties() generates a GUID when SecurityToken is [AUTO], then calls TryUpdateDefaultConfigFile(TEXT(""), false).
The editor module initializes these settings during startup, and the plugin is enabled by default. This appears to allow the configuration write even when no project is open.
Is this engine-level write intended? Should initialization avoid saving these settings during project-less startup, or should this specific generated file be ignored?