A system and method for adaptive user settings is presented. A server sends a requested web page and a collector program to a client. The collector program non-invasively collects user event data, and sends the user event data to the server. In turn, the server analyzes the user event data, and identifies configuration preferences, such as a scrolling preference, a tabbing preference, or an arrangement preference. The server sends an inquiry to the client's user that includes one or more questions as to whether the server should save particular configuration preferences. After receipt of an acknowledgement, the server either saves the configuration preferences locally, or sends the configuration preferences to the client. During subsequent same-page requests, the server uses the configuration preferences to customize the view of the web page.