diff --git a/src/Dependencies.cpp b/src/Dependencies.cpp
index 22bd57b75..b1f2e1319 100644
--- a/src/Dependencies.cpp
+++ b/src/Dependencies.cpp
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ AliasedFile s.
 
 #include "blockfile/SimpleBlockFile.h"
 #include "DirManager.h"
+#include "FileFormats.h"
 #include "Prefs.h"
 #include "Project.h"
 #include "ProjectSettings.h"
@@ -589,8 +590,7 @@ void DependencyDialog::SaveFutureActionChoice()
       case 2: savePref = wxT("never"); break;
       default: savePref = wxT("ask");
       }
-      gPrefs->Write(wxT("/FileFormats/SaveProjectWithDependencies"),
-                    savePref);
+      FileFormatsSaveWithDependenciesSetting.Write( savePref );
       gPrefs->Flush();
    }
 }
@@ -632,9 +632,7 @@ New projects will be self-contained and are less risky.");
    {
 #ifdef EXPERIMENTAL_OD_DATA
       wxString action =
-         gPrefs->Read(
-            wxT("/FileFormats/SaveProjectWithDependencies"),
-            wxT("ask"));
+         FileFormatsSaveWithDependenciesSetting.Read();
       if (action == wxT("copy"))
       {
          // User always wants to remove dependencies
diff --git a/src/MixerBoard.cpp b/src/MixerBoard.cpp
index 48092e191..5f8177a19 100644
--- a/src/MixerBoard.cpp
+++ b/src/MixerBoard.cpp
@@ -360,7 +360,7 @@ void MixerTrackCluster::UpdatePrefs()
 {
    this->SetBackgroundColour( theTheme.Colour( clrMedium ) );
    mStaticText_TrackName->SetForegroundColour(theTheme.Colour(clrTrackPanelText));
-   HandleResize(); // in case prefs "/GUI/Solo" changed
+   HandleResize(); // in case TracksBehaviorsSolo changed
 }
 #endif
 
diff --git a/src/ProjectFileManager.cpp b/src/ProjectFileManager.cpp
index ded22a58c..7c0754420 100644
--- a/src/ProjectFileManager.cpp
+++ b/src/ProjectFileManager.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ Paul Licameli split from AudacityProject.cpp
 #include "AutoRecovery.h"
 #include "Dependencies.h"
 #include "DirManager.h"
+#include "FileFormats.h"
 #include "FileNames.h"
 #include "Legacy.h"
 #include "PlatformCompatibility.h"
@@ -122,13 +123,12 @@ auto ProjectFileManager::ReadProjectFile( const FilePath &fileName )
 #ifdef EXPERIMENTAL_OD_DATA
    // 'Lossless copy' projects have dependencies. We need to always copy-in
    // these dependencies when converting to a normal project.
-   wxString oldAction =
-      gPrefs->Read(wxT("/FileFormats/CopyOrEditUncompressedData"), wxT("copy"));
+   auto oldAction = FileFormatsCopyOrEditSetting.Read();
    bool oldAsk =
       gPrefs->ReadBool(wxT("/Warnings/CopyOrEditUncompressedDataAsk"), true);
 
    if (oldAction != wxT("copy"))
-      gPrefs->Write(wxT("/FileFormats/CopyOrEditUncompressedData"), wxT("copy"));
+      FileFormatsCopyOrEditSetting.Write( wxT("copy") );
    if (oldAsk)
       gPrefs->Write(wxT("/Warnings/CopyOrEditUncompressedDataAsk"), (long) false);
    gPrefs->Flush();
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ auto ProjectFileManager::ReadProjectFile( const FilePath &fileName )
    auto cleanup = finally( [&] {
       // and restore old settings if necessary.
       if (oldAction != wxT("copy"))
-         gPrefs->Write(wxT("/FileFormats/CopyOrEditUncompressedData"), oldAction);
+         FileFormatsCopyOrEditSetting.Write( oldAction );
       if (oldAsk)
          gPrefs->Write(wxT("/Warnings/CopyOrEditUncompressedDataAsk"), (long) true);
       gPrefs->Flush();
diff --git a/src/ProjectSettings.cpp b/src/ProjectSettings.cpp
index 579a47622..51df8c82e 100644
--- a/src/ProjectSettings.cpp
+++ b/src/ProjectSettings.cpp
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ Paul Licameli split from AudacityProject.cpp
 #include "Project.h"
 #include "prefs/QualityPrefs.h"
 #include "widgets/NumericTextCtrl.h"
+#include "prefs/TracksBehaviorsPrefs.h"
 
 wxDEFINE_EVENT(EVT_PROJECT_SETTINGS_CHANGE, wxCommandEvent);
 
@@ -91,7 +92,7 @@ void ProjectSettings::UpdatePrefs()
    gPrefs->Read(wxT("/AudioFiles/ShowId3Dialog"), &mShowId3Dialog, true);
    gPrefs->Read(wxT("/GUI/EmptyCanBeDirty"), &mEmptyCanBeDirty, true );
    gPrefs->Read(wxT("/GUI/ShowSplashScreen"), &mShowSplashScreen, true);
-   gPrefs->Read(wxT("/GUI/Solo"), &mSoloPref, wxT("Simple"));
+   mSoloPref = TracksBehaviorsSolo.Read();
    // Update the old default to the NEW default.
    if (mSoloPref == wxT("Standard"))
       mSoloPref = wxT("Simple");
diff --git a/src/Theme.cpp b/src/Theme.cpp
index dd371ad46..ffe913ef2 100644
--- a/src/Theme.cpp
+++ b/src/Theme.cpp
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ can't be.
 #include "Prefs.h"
 #include "ImageManipulation.h"
 #include "Internat.h"
+#include "prefs/GUIPrefs.h"
 #include "widgets/AudacityMessageBox.h"
 
 // JKC: First get the MAC specific images.
@@ -234,11 +235,7 @@ void Theme::EnsureInitialised()
 bool ThemeBase::LoadPreferredTheme()
 {
 // DA: Default themes differ.
-#ifdef EXPERIMENTAL_DA
-   wxString theme = gPrefs->Read(wxT("/GUI/Theme"), wxT("dark"));
-#else
-   wxString theme = gPrefs->Read(wxT("/GUI/Theme"), wxT("light"));
-#endif
+   auto theme = GUITheme.Read();
 
    theTheme.LoadTheme( theTheme.ThemeTypeOfTypeName( theme ) );
    return true;
diff --git a/src/TrackInfo.cpp b/src/TrackInfo.cpp
index d2787cb86..4929d25ec 100644
--- a/src/TrackInfo.cpp
+++ b/src/TrackInfo.cpp
@@ -40,9 +40,9 @@ Paul Licameli split from TrackPanel.cpp
 #include "Track.h"
 #include "TrackPanelDrawingContext.h"
 #include "ViewInfo.h"
+#include "prefs/TracksBehaviorsPrefs.h"
 #include "tracks/ui/TrackView.h"
 
-
 // Subscribe to preference changes to update static variables
 struct Settings : PrefsListener {
    wxString gSoloPref;
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ struct Settings : PrefsListener {
 
    void UpdatePrefs() override
    {
-      gPrefs->Read(wxT("/GUI/Solo"), &gSoloPref, wxT("Simple"));
+      gSoloPref = TracksBehaviorsSolo.Read();
 
       // Calculation of best font size depends on language, so it should be redone in case
       // the language preference changed.
diff --git a/src/export/ExportFLAC.cpp b/src/export/ExportFLAC.cpp
index f4559cabd..21e3f9807 100644
--- a/src/export/ExportFLAC.cpp
+++ b/src/export/ExportFLAC.cpp
@@ -264,11 +264,10 @@ ProgressResult ExportFLAC::Export(AudacityProject *project,
    wxLogNull logNo;            // temporarily disable wxWidgets error messages
    auto updateResult = ProgressResult::Success;
 
-   int levelPref;
-   gPrefs->Read(wxT("/FileFormats/FLACLevel"), &levelPref, 5);
+   long levelPref;
+   FLACLevel.Read().ToLong( &levelPref );
 
-   wxString bitDepthPref =
-      gPrefs->Read(wxT("/FileFormats/FLACBitDepth"), wxT("16"));
+   auto bitDepthPref = FLACBitDepth.Read();
 
    FLAC::Encoder::File encoder;
 
diff --git a/src/import/ImportPCM.cpp b/src/import/ImportPCM.cpp
index bd46b3814..71ef00553 100644
--- a/src/import/ImportPCM.cpp
+++ b/src/import/ImportPCM.cpp
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ auto PCMImportFileHandle::GetFileUncompressedBytes() -> ByteCount
 static wxString AskCopyOrEdit()
 {
 
-   wxString oldCopyPref = gPrefs->Read(wxT("/FileFormats/CopyOrEditUncompressedData"), wxT("copy"));
+   auto oldCopyPref = FileFormatsCopyOrEditSetting.Read();
 
    bool firstTimeAsk    = gPrefs->Read(wxT("/Warnings/CopyOrEditUncompressedDataFirstAsk"), true)?true:false;
    bool oldAskPref      = gPrefs->Read(wxT("/Warnings/CopyOrEditUncompressedDataAsk"), true)?true:false;
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ static wxString AskCopyOrEdit()
    // This effectively does a one-time change to the preferences.
    if (firstTimeAsk) {
       if (oldCopyPref != wxT("copy")) {
-         gPrefs->Write(wxT("/FileFormats/CopyOrEditUncompressedData"), wxT("copy"));
+         FileFormatsCopyOrEditSetting.Write( wxT("copy") );
          oldCopyPref = wxT("copy");
       }
       gPrefs->Write(wxT("/Warnings/CopyOrEditUncompressedDataFirstAsk"), (long) false);
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ static wxString AskCopyOrEdit()
 
       // if the preference changed, save it.
       if (newCopyPref != oldCopyPref) {
-         gPrefs->Write(wxT("/FileFormats/CopyOrEditUncompressedData"), newCopyPref);
+         FileFormatsCopyOrEditSetting.Write( newCopyPref );
          gPrefs->Flush();
       }
       oldCopyPref = newCopyPref;
diff --git a/src/menus/PluginMenus.cpp b/src/menus/PluginMenus.cpp
index fb4a77ebd..59e60baea 100644
--- a/src/menus/PluginMenus.cpp
+++ b/src/menus/PluginMenus.cpp
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 #include "../effects/Contrast.h"
 #include "../effects/EffectManager.h"
 #include "../effects/RealtimeEffectManager.h"
+#include "../prefs/EffectsPrefs.h"
 
 // private helper classes and functions
 namespace {
@@ -195,7 +196,7 @@ void AddEffectMenuItems(
 {
    size_t pluginCnt = plugs.size();
 
-   wxString groupBy = gPrefs->Read(wxT("/Effects/GroupBy"), wxT("sortby:name"));
+   auto groupBy = EffectsGroupBy.Read();
 
    bool grouped = false;
    if (groupBy.StartsWith(wxT("groupby")))
@@ -382,7 +383,7 @@ MenuTable::BaseItemPtrs PopulateEffectsMenu(
       plug = pm.GetNextPluginForEffectType(type);
    }
 
-   wxString groupby = gPrefs->Read(wxT("/Effects/GroupBy"), wxT("sortby:name"));
+   wxString groupby = EffectsGroupBy.Read();
 
    using Comparator = bool(*)(const PluginDescriptor*, const PluginDescriptor*);
    Comparator comp1, comp2;
diff --git a/src/prefs/EffectsPrefs.h b/src/prefs/EffectsPrefs.h
index 6c5ba3a6d..4159e45e6 100644
--- a/src/prefs/EffectsPrefs.h
+++ b/src/prefs/EffectsPrefs.h
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 
 #include "PrefsPanel.h"
 
+class ChoiceSetting;
 class ShuttleGui;
 
 #define EFFECTS_PREFS_PLUGIN_SYMBOL ComponentInterfaceSymbol{ XO("Effects") }
@@ -39,4 +40,7 @@ class EffectsPrefs final : public PrefsPanel
 
 /// A PrefsPanel::Factory that creates one EffectsPrefs panel.
 extern PrefsPanel::Factory EffectsPrefsFactory;
+
+extern ChoiceSetting EffectsGroupBy;
+
 #endif
diff --git a/src/prefs/GUIPrefs.cpp b/src/prefs/GUIPrefs.cpp
index e494b1e67..92bcdc087 100644
--- a/src/prefs/GUIPrefs.cpp
+++ b/src/prefs/GUIPrefs.cpp
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ bool GUIPrefs::Commit()
       gPrefs->Flush();
    }
 
-   // Reads preference /GUI/Theme
+   // Reads preference GUITheme
    theTheme.LoadPreferredTheme();
    ThemePrefs::ApplyUpdatedImages();
 
diff --git a/src/prefs/GUIPrefs.h b/src/prefs/GUIPrefs.h
index 0606c9f4e..3e2eac313 100644
--- a/src/prefs/GUIPrefs.h
+++ b/src/prefs/GUIPrefs.h
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 
 #include "PrefsPanel.h"
 
+class ChoiceSetting;
 class ShuttleGui;
 class wxArrayStringEx;
 
@@ -69,4 +70,9 @@ extern PrefsPanel::Factory GUIPrefsFactory;
 
 int ShowClippingPrefsID();
 
+extern ChoiceSetting
+     GUIManualLocation
+   , GUITheme
+;
+
 #endif
diff --git a/src/prefs/TracksBehaviorsPrefs.h b/src/prefs/TracksBehaviorsPrefs.h
index 0d6027f79..9e4c0b9ab 100644
--- a/src/prefs/TracksBehaviorsPrefs.h
+++ b/src/prefs/TracksBehaviorsPrefs.h
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 
 #include "PrefsPanel.h"
 
+class ChoiceSetting;
 class ShuttleGui;
 class wxArrayStringEx;
 
@@ -42,4 +43,7 @@ class TracksBehaviorsPrefs final : public PrefsPanel
 
 /// A PrefsPanel::Factory that creates one TracksBehaviorsPrefs panel.
 extern PrefsPanel::Factory TracksBehaviorsPrefsFactory;
+
+extern ChoiceSetting TracksBehaviorsSolo;
+
 #endif
diff --git a/src/widgets/HelpSystem.cpp b/src/widgets/HelpSystem.cpp
index b4ea91ee3..2dba92d16 100644
--- a/src/widgets/HelpSystem.cpp
+++ b/src/widgets/HelpSystem.cpp
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@
 #include "../HelpText.h"
 #include "../Prefs.h"
 #include "../wxFileNameWrapper.h"
+#include "../prefs/GUIPrefs.h"
 
 #ifdef USE_ALPHA_MANUAL
 const wxString HelpSystem::HelpHostname = wxT("alphamanual.audacityteam.org");
@@ -248,8 +249,8 @@ void HelpSystem::ShowHelp(wxWindow *parent,
       // these next lines are for legacy cfg files (pre 2.0) where we had different modes
       if( (HelpMode == wxT("Standard")) || (HelpMode == wxT("InBrowser")) )
       {
-         HelpMode = wxT("Local");
-         gPrefs->Write(wxT("/GUI/Help"), HelpMode);
+         HelpMode = GUIManualLocation.Default().Internal();
+         GUIManualLocation.Write(HelpMode);
          gPrefs->Flush();
       }
    }