Settings Not Saved

I uninstalled (using add remove programs) the MS
Antispyware program (which was working ok) for
troubleshooting purposes. The problem was elsewhere so I
reinstalled. The installation went normally.
However, my settings are not saved. I have to go through
the multi-step setup screen every time I start the
program. The date for the latest definitions is blank
and automatic scans are not done even when I set them.
Manual scans do work.
I have uninstalled again, cleaned the registry but the
problem persists.