diff --git a/plugins/viewswitch/init.lua b/plugins/viewswitch/init.lua
index 6706ff4..92d04d4 100644
--- a/plugins/viewswitch/init.lua
+++ b/plugins/viewswitch/init.lua
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 -- copyright-holders:Vas Crabb
 local exports = {
 	name = 'viewswitch',
-	version = '0.0.2',
+	version = '0.0.4',
 	description = 'Quick view switch plugin',
 	license = 'BSD-3-Clause',
 	author = { name = 'Vas Crabb' } }
@@ -14,11 +14,124 @@ local stop_subscription
 function viewswitch.startplugin()
 	local switch_hotkeys = { }
 	local cycle_hotkeys = { }
+	local excluded_views = { }
+	local plugin_settings = { }
 
 	local input_manager
 	local ui_manager = { menu_active = true, ui_active = true }
 	local render_targets
 	local menu_handler
+	local utils  -- Add utils module
+
+	-- Helper function to check if viewswitch.txt exists at startup
+	local function should_hide_menu()
+		-- Try to get the homepath from environment or use a fallback
+		local homepath = os.getenv('HOME') or os.getenv('USERPROFILE') or '.'
+		
+		-- Common MAME paths to check
+		local possible_paths = {
+			homepath .. '/.mame/viewswitch/viewswitch.txt',
+			homepath .. '/mame/viewswitch/viewswitch.txt',
+			'./viewswitch/viewswitch.txt',
+			'viewswitch/viewswitch.txt'
+		}
+		
+		-- If manager.machine is available, use the proper path first
+		if manager.machine and manager.machine.options and manager.machine.options.entries.homepath then
+			local mame_path = manager.machine.options.entries.homepath:value():match('([^;]+)') .. '/viewswitch/viewswitch.txt'
+			table.insert(possible_paths, 1, mame_path)  -- Insert at beginning
+		end
+		
+		-- Check all possible paths
+		for _, path in ipairs(possible_paths) do
+			local file = io.open(path, 'r')
+			if file then
+				file:close()
+				return true  -- File exists, hide menu
+			end
+		end
+		
+		return false  -- File doesn't exist anywhere, show menu
+	end
+
+	local function get_next_view(target, current_view, increment)
+		local view_indices = {}
+		
+		-- Check if layout-only mode is enabled
+		if plugin_settings.layout_only_mode then
+			-- Use utils module to get layout views
+			if utils then
+				local layout_view_names = utils:parse_layout_views()
+				
+				if #layout_view_names > 0 then
+					-- Get layout view indices
+					local layout_views = utils:get_layout_view_indices(target, layout_view_names)
+					for _, view_info in ipairs(layout_views) do
+						table.insert(view_indices, view_info.index)
+					end
+				end
+			end
+			
+			-- If no layout views found, fall back to all views
+			if #view_indices == 0 then
+				for i = 1, #target.view_names do
+					table.insert(view_indices, i)
+				end
+			end
+		else
+			-- Use all views
+			for i = 1, #target.view_names do
+				table.insert(view_indices, i)
+			end
+		end
+		
+		if #view_indices == 0 then
+			return current_view  -- No valid views
+		end
+		
+		local target_index = target.index
+		local excluded = excluded_views[target_index] or {}
+		
+		-- Find current position in views array
+		local current_pos = 1
+		for pos, view_index in ipairs(view_indices) do
+			if view_index == current_view then
+				current_pos = pos
+				break
+			end
+		end
+		
+		-- If no exclusions, use simple cycling
+		if not next(excluded) then
+			local new_pos = current_pos + increment
+			if new_pos < 1 then
+				new_pos = #view_indices
+			elseif new_pos > #view_indices then
+				new_pos = 1
+			end
+			return view_indices[new_pos]
+		end
+		
+		-- Find next non-excluded view
+		local tries = 0
+		local pos = current_pos
+		repeat
+			pos = pos + increment
+			if pos < 1 then
+				pos = #view_indices
+			elseif pos > #view_indices then
+				pos = 1
+			end
+			tries = tries + 1
+		until (not excluded[view_indices[pos]]) or (tries >= #view_indices)
+		
+		-- If all views are excluded, return current view
+		if tries >= #view_indices then
+			return current_view
+		end
+		
+		return view_indices[pos]
+	end
 
 	local function frame_done()
 		if ui_manager.ui_active and (not ui_manager.menu_active) then
@@ -31,9 +144,8 @@ function viewswitch.startplugin()
 				if input_manager:seq_pressed(hotkey.sequence) then
 					if not hotkey.pressed then
 						local target = render_targets[hotkey.target]
-						local index = target.view_index + hotkey.increment
-						local count = #target.view_names
-						target.view_index = (index < 1) and count or (index > count) and 1 or index
+						local next_view = get_next_view(target, target.view_index, hotkey.increment)
+						target.view_index = next_view
 						hotkey.pressed = true
 					end
 				else
@@ -44,8 +156,17 @@ function viewswitch.startplugin()
 	end
 
 	local function start()
+		-- Load the shared utilities module
+		local status, msg = pcall(function () utils = require('viewswitch/viewswitch_utils') end)
+		if not status then
+			emu.print_error(string.format('Error loading viewswitch utilities: %s', msg))
+			utils = nil
+		end
+
 		local persister = require('viewswitch/viewswitch_persist')
-		switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys = persister:load_settings()
+		plugin_settings = persister:load_plugin_settings()
+		switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys = persister:load_settings(plugin_settings.config_mode)
+		excluded_views = persister:load_excluded_views(plugin_settings.config_mode)
 
 		local machine = manager.machine
 		input_manager = machine.input
@@ -55,7 +176,9 @@ function viewswitch.startplugin()
 
 	local function stop()
 		local persister = require('viewswitch/viewswitch_persist')
-		persister:save_settings(switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys)
+		persister:save_plugin_settings(plugin_settings)
+		persister:save_settings(switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys, plugin_settings.config_mode)
+		persister:save_excluded_views(excluded_views, plugin_settings.config_mode)
 
 		menu_handler = nil
 		render_targets = nil
@@ -63,6 +186,9 @@ function viewswitch.startplugin()
 		input_manager = nil
 		switch_hotkeys = { }
 		cycle_hotkeys = { }
+		excluded_views = { }
+		plugin_settings = { }
+		utils = nil
 	end
 
 	local function menu_callback(index, event)
@@ -76,7 +202,7 @@ function viewswitch.startplugin()
 				emu.print_error(string.format('Error loading quick view switch menu: %s', msg))
 			end
 			if menu_handler then
-				menu_handler:init(switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys)
+				menu_handler:init(switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys, excluded_views, plugin_settings)
 			end
 		end
 		if menu_handler then
@@ -89,7 +215,11 @@ function viewswitch.startplugin()
 	emu.register_frame_done(frame_done)
 	emu.register_prestart(start)
 	stop_subscription = emu.add_machine_stop_notifier(stop)
-	emu.register_menu(menu_callback, menu_populate, 'Quick View Switch')
+	
+	-- Only register the menu if viewswitch.txt doesn't exist
+	if not should_hide_menu() then
+		emu.register_menu(menu_callback, menu_populate, 'Quick View Switch')
+	end
 end
 
-return exports
+return exports
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/plugins/viewswitch/viewswitch_menu.lua b/plugins/viewswitch/viewswitch_menu.lua
index 0c1cd58..9da1bf3 100644
--- a/plugins/viewswitch/viewswitch_menu.lua
+++ b/plugins/viewswitch/viewswitch_menu.lua
@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@
 local MENU_TYPES = {
 	MAIN = 0,
 	SWITCH = 2,
-	CYCLE = 3 }
+	CYCLE = 3,
+	EXCLUDE = 4,
+	SETTINGS = 5 }
 
 
 -- helper functions
@@ -35,11 +37,42 @@ local commonui
 
 local switch_hotkeys
 local cycle_hotkeys
+local excluded_views
+local plugin_settings
 
 local switch_target_start
 local switch_done
 local switch_poll
 
+local exclude_target_start
+local exclude_done
+
+local settings_done
+local settings_config_mode_index
+local settings_remove_overrides_index
+local settings_layout_only_index  -- Add this missing declaration
+local pending_config_mode  -- Track pending changes
+
+-- Use shared utility module for layout parsing
+local utils
+
+local function get_filtered_views(target)
+	if not utils then
+		local status, msg = pcall(function () utils = require('viewswitch/viewswitch_utils') end)
+		if not status then
+			emu.print_error(string.format('Error loading viewswitch utilities: %s', msg))
+			-- Fallback to all views if utils can't load
+			local all_views = {}
+			local view_names = target.view_names
+			for i, view_name in ipairs(view_names) do
+				table.insert(all_views, {index = i, name = view_name})
+			end
+			return all_views
+		end
+	end
+	
+	return utils:get_filtered_views(target, plugin_settings)
+end
 
 -- quick switch hotkeys menu
 
@@ -105,7 +138,8 @@ local function populate_switch()
 	switch_target_start = { }
 	local items = { }
 
-	table.insert(items, { 'Quick Switch Hotkeys', '', 'off' })
+	local mode_text = plugin_settings.layout_only_mode and 'Layout Views Only' or 'All Views'
+	table.insert(items, { 'Quick Switch Hotkeys (' .. mode_text .. ')', '', 'off' })
 	table.insert(items, { string.format('Press %s to clear hotkey', general_input_setting('UI_CLEAR')), '', 'off' })
 
 	if #targets == 0 then
@@ -114,27 +148,40 @@ local function populate_switch()
 	else
 		local input = manager.machine.input
 		for i, target in pairs(targets) do
-			-- add separator and target heading if multiple targets
-			table.insert(items, { '---', '', '' })
-			if #targets > 1 then
-				table.insert(items, { string.format('Screen #%d', target.index - 1), '', 'off' })
-			end
-			table.insert(switch_target_start, #items + 1)
+			-- Get views based on current setting
+			local filtered_views = get_filtered_views(target)
+			
+			-- Special handling for layout-only mode when no layout found
+			if plugin_settings.layout_only_mode and #filtered_views == 0 then
+				table.insert(items, { '---', '', '' })
+				if #targets > 1 then
+					table.insert(items, { string.format('Screen #%d', target.index - 1), '', 'off' })
+				end
+				table.insert(items, { 'No layout file found', '', 'off' })
+			else
+				-- add separator and target heading if multiple targets
+				table.insert(items, { '---', '', '' })
+				if #targets > 1 then
+					local target_desc = plugin_settings.layout_only_mode and 'Layout Views Only' or 'All Views'
+					table.insert(items, { string.format('Screen #%d (%s)', target.index - 1, target_desc), '', 'off' })
+				end
+				table.insert(switch_target_start, #items + 1)
 
-			-- add an item for each view
-			for j, view in pairs(target.view_names) do
-				local seq = 'None'
-				for k, hotkey in pairs(switch_hotkeys) do
-					if (hotkey.target == target.index) and (hotkey.view == j) then
-						seq = input:seq_name(hotkey.sequence)
-						break
+				-- add an item for each view
+				for _, view_info in ipairs(filtered_views) do
+					local seq = 'None'
+					for k, hotkey in pairs(switch_hotkeys) do
+						if (hotkey.target == target.index) and (hotkey.view == view_info.index) then
+							seq = input:seq_name(hotkey.sequence)
+							break
+						end
 					end
+					local flags = ''
+					if switch_poll and (switch_poll.target == target.index) and (switch_poll.view == view_info.index) then
+						flags = 'lr'
+					end
+					table.insert(items, { view_info.name, seq, flags })
 				end
-				local flags = ''
-				if switch_poll and (switch_poll.target == target.index) and (switch_poll.view == j) then
-					flags = 'lr'
-				end
-				table.insert(items, { view, seq, flags })
 			end
 		end
 	end
@@ -215,7 +262,8 @@ local function populate_cycle()
 	switch_target_start = { }
 	local items = { }
 
-	table.insert(items, { 'Cycle Hotkeys', '', 'off' })
+	local mode_text = plugin_settings.layout_only_mode and 'Layout Views Only' or 'All Views'
+	table.insert(items, { 'Cycle Hotkeys (' .. mode_text .. ')', '', 'off' })
 	table.insert(items, { string.format('Press %s to clear hotkey', general_input_setting('UI_CLEAR')), '', 'off' })
 
 	if #targets == 0 then
@@ -227,7 +275,8 @@ local function populate_cycle()
 			-- add separator and target heading if multiple targets
 			table.insert(items, { '---', '', '' })
 			if #targets > 1 then
-				table.insert(items, { string.format('Screen #%d', target.index - 1), '', 'off' })
+				local target_desc = plugin_settings.layout_only_mode and 'Layout Views Only' or 'All Views'
+				table.insert(items, { string.format('Screen #%d (%s)', target.index - 1, target_desc), '', 'off' })
 			end
 			table.insert(switch_target_start, #items + 1)
 
@@ -273,6 +322,345 @@ local function populate_cycle()
 end
 
 
+-- exclude views menu
+
+local function handle_exclude(index, event)
+	if (event == 'back') or ((event == 'select') and (index == exclude_done)) then
+		exclude_target_start = nil
+		exclude_done = nil
+		table.remove(menu_stack)
+		return true
+	else
+		for target = #exclude_target_start, 1, -1 do
+			if index >= exclude_target_start[target] then
+				local view = index - exclude_target_start[target] + 1
+				if event == 'select' then
+					-- toggle exclude status
+					if not excluded_views[target] then
+						excluded_views[target] = { }
+					end
+					excluded_views[target][view] = not excluded_views[target][view]
+					return true
+				end
+				return false
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	return false
+end
+
+local function populate_exclude()
+	-- find targets with selectable views
+	local targets = get_targets()
+
+	exclude_target_start = { }
+	local items = { }
+
+	local mode_text = plugin_settings.layout_only_mode and 'Layout Views Only' or 'All Views'
+	table.insert(items, { 'Exclude Views from Cycle (' .. mode_text .. ')', '', 'off' })
+	table.insert(items, { 'Select views to exclude from cycling', '', 'off' })
+
+	if #targets == 0 then
+		table.insert(items, { '---', '', '' })
+		table.insert(items, { 'No selectable views', '', 'off' })
+	else
+		for i, target in pairs(targets) do
+			-- Get views based on current setting (NOT hardcoded to layout only)
+			local filtered_views = get_filtered_views(target)
+			
+			-- Special handling for layout-only mode when no layout found
+			if plugin_settings.layout_only_mode and #filtered_views == 0 then
+				table.insert(items, { '---', '', '' })
+				if #targets > 1 then
+					table.insert(items, { string.format('Screen #%d', target.index - 1), '', 'off' })
+				end
+				table.insert(items, { 'No layout file found', '', 'off' })
+			else
+				-- add separator and target heading if multiple targets
+				table.insert(items, { '---', '', '' })
+				if #targets > 1 then
+					local target_desc = plugin_settings.layout_only_mode and 'Layout Views Only' or 'All Views'
+					table.insert(items, { string.format('Screen #%d (%s)', target.index - 1, target_desc), '', 'off' })
+				end
+				table.insert(exclude_target_start, #items + 1)
+
+				-- add an item for each view
+				for _, view_info in ipairs(filtered_views) do
+					local flags = ''
+					if excluded_views[target.index] and excluded_views[target.index][view_info.index] then
+						flags = 'lr'
+					end
+					local status = (excluded_views[target.index] and excluded_views[target.index][view_info.index]) and 'Excluded' or 'Included'
+					table.insert(items, { view_info.name, status, flags })
+				end
+			end
+		end
+	end
+
+	table.insert(items, { '---', '', '' })
+	table.insert(items, { 'Done', '', '' })
+	exclude_done = #items
+
+	return items
+end
+
+
+-- plugin settings menu
+
+local function handle_settings(index, event)
+	if event == 'back' then
+		-- Cancel any pending changes
+		pending_config_mode = nil
+		settings_done = nil
+		settings_config_mode_index = nil
+		settings_remove_overrides_index = nil
+		settings_layout_only_index = nil
+		table.remove(menu_stack)
+		return true
+	elseif (event == 'select') and (index == settings_done) then
+		-- Apply pending changes before exiting
+		if pending_config_mode and pending_config_mode ~= plugin_settings.config_mode then
+			local old_config_mode = plugin_settings.config_mode
+			plugin_settings.config_mode = pending_config_mode
+			
+			local persister = require('viewswitch/viewswitch_persist')
+			
+			-- Handle the transition based on the modes
+			if old_config_mode == 'global' and pending_config_mode == 'rom_specific' then
+				persister:copy_to_rom_settings(switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys, excluded_views)
+			elseif old_config_mode == 'rom_specific' and pending_config_mode == 'global' then
+				persister:save_settings_to_file(switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys, true)
+				persister:save_excluded_views_to_file(excluded_views, true)
+			else
+				persister:save_settings(switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys, old_config_mode)
+				persister:save_excluded_views(excluded_views, old_config_mode)
+			end
+			
+			-- Save plugin settings
+			persister:save_plugin_settings(plugin_settings)
+			
+			-- Clear current arrays and load settings for new mode
+			for i = #switch_hotkeys, 1, -1 do
+				table.remove(switch_hotkeys, i)
+			end
+			for i = #cycle_hotkeys, 1, -1 do
+				table.remove(cycle_hotkeys, i)
+			end
+			for k in pairs(excluded_views) do
+				excluded_views[k] = nil
+			end
+			
+			-- Load new settings
+			local new_switch, new_cycle = persister:load_settings(plugin_settings.config_mode)
+			local new_excluded = persister:load_excluded_views(plugin_settings.config_mode)
+			
+			-- Rebuild arrays with proper references
+			for k, hotkey in pairs(new_switch) do
+				table.insert(switch_hotkeys, hotkey)
+			end
+			for k, hotkey in pairs(new_cycle) do
+				hotkey.pressed = false
+				table.insert(cycle_hotkeys, hotkey)
+			end
+			for target_index, target_excludes in pairs(new_excluded) do
+				excluded_views[target_index] = { }
+				for view_index, excluded in pairs(target_excludes) do
+					excluded_views[target_index][view_index] = excluded
+				end
+			end
+		end
+		
+		pending_config_mode = nil
+		settings_done = nil
+		settings_config_mode_index = nil
+		settings_remove_overrides_index = nil
+		settings_layout_only_index = nil
+		table.remove(menu_stack)
+		return true
+	elseif event == 'select' then
+		if index == settings_config_mode_index then
+			-- Cycle through config modes
+			local current_mode = pending_config_mode or plugin_settings.config_mode
+			
+			if current_mode == 'global' then
+				pending_config_mode = 'rom_specific'
+			elseif current_mode == 'rom_specific' then
+				pending_config_mode = 'global_with_overrides'
+			else -- global_with_overrides
+				pending_config_mode = 'global'
+			end
+			
+			return true
+		elseif index == settings_layout_only_index then
+			-- Toggle layout-only mode
+			plugin_settings.layout_only_mode = not plugin_settings.layout_only_mode
+			
+			-- Save the setting immediately since it doesn't require mode transitions
+			local persister = require('viewswitch/viewswitch_persist')
+			persister:save_plugin_settings(plugin_settings)
+			
+			return true
+		elseif index == settings_remove_overrides_index then
+			-- Remove ROM overrides option
+			if plugin_settings.config_mode == 'global_with_overrides' then
+				local persister = require('viewswitch/viewswitch_persist')
+				persister:remove_rom_overrides()
+				
+				-- Reload settings to reflect the removal of overrides
+				for i = #switch_hotkeys, 1, -1 do
+					table.remove(switch_hotkeys, i)
+				end
+				for i = #cycle_hotkeys, 1, -1 do
+					table.remove(cycle_hotkeys, i)
+				end
+				for k in pairs(excluded_views) do
+					excluded_views[k] = nil
+				end
+				
+				local new_switch, new_cycle = persister:load_settings(plugin_settings.config_mode)
+				local new_excluded = persister:load_excluded_views(plugin_settings.config_mode)
+				
+				for k, hotkey in pairs(new_switch) do
+					table.insert(switch_hotkeys, hotkey)
+				end
+				for k, hotkey in pairs(new_cycle) do
+					hotkey.pressed = false
+					table.insert(cycle_hotkeys, hotkey)
+				end
+				for target_index, target_excludes in pairs(new_excluded) do
+					excluded_views[target_index] = { }
+					for view_index, excluded in pairs(target_excludes) do
+						excluded_views[target_index][view_index] = excluded
+					end
+				end
+				
+				return true
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	return false
+end
+
+local function populate_settings()
+	local items = { }
+	local persister = require('viewswitch/viewswitch_persist')
+	
+	-- Use pending config mode for display if user has made changes
+	local display_mode = pending_config_mode or plugin_settings.config_mode
+	local settings_info = persister:get_current_settings_info(plugin_settings.config_mode)
+
+	-- Reset indices
+	settings_config_mode_index = nil
+	settings_remove_overrides_index = nil
+	settings_layout_only_index = nil
+
+	table.insert(items, { 'Plugin Settings', '', 'off' })
+	table.insert(items, { '---', '', '' })
+	
+	-- Show current/pending configuration mode
+	local config_description = ''
+	local mode_flags = ''
+	
+	if display_mode == 'global' then
+		config_description = 'Global'
+	elseif display_mode == 'rom_specific' then
+		config_description = 'ROM-specific'
+	else -- global_with_overrides
+		config_description = 'Global with ROM overrides'
+	end
+	
+	-- Add indicator if there are unsaved changes
+	if pending_config_mode and pending_config_mode ~= plugin_settings.config_mode then
+		config_description = config_description .. ' (unsaved)'
+		mode_flags = 'lr'
+	end
+	
+	table.insert(items, { 'Configuration mode', config_description, mode_flags })
+	settings_config_mode_index = #items
+	table.insert(items, { '---', '', '' })
+	
+	-- Add layout-only toggle setting
+	local layout_only_status = plugin_settings.layout_only_mode and 'Layout views only' or 'All views'
+	table.insert(items, { 'View filter', layout_only_status, '' })
+	settings_layout_only_index = #items
+	table.insert(items, { '---', '', '' })
+	
+	-- Show mode descriptions
+	table.insert(items, { 'Global: Same settings for all ROMs', '', 'off' })
+	table.insert(items, { 'ROM-specific: Different settings per ROM', '', 'off' })
+	table.insert(items, { 'Global with overrides: Global defaults,', '', 'off' })
+	table.insert(items, { '  ROM-specific when customized', '', 'off' })
+	table.insert(items, { '---', '', '' })
+	table.insert(items, { 'Layout views only: Show only views from', '', 'off' })
+	table.insert(items, { '  default.lay file (excludes built-in views)', '', 'off' })
+	table.insert(items, { 'All views: Show all available views', '', 'off' })
+	
+	-- Show preview of what will happen if there are pending changes
+	if pending_config_mode and pending_config_mode ~= plugin_settings.config_mode then
+		table.insert(items, { '---', '', '' })
+		table.insert(items, { 'Preview of changes:', '', 'off' })
+		
+		if pending_config_mode == 'rom_specific' then
+			table.insert(items, { '  Will create ROM-specific config files', '', 'off' })
+		elseif pending_config_mode == 'global_with_overrides' then
+			if settings_info.has_rom_settings or settings_info.has_rom_excludes then
+				table.insert(items, { '  Will use existing ROM overrides', '', 'off' })
+			else
+				table.insert(items, { '  Will use global settings (no overrides)', '', 'off' })
+			end
+		elseif pending_config_mode == 'global' then
+			table.insert(items, { '  Will use global settings only', '', 'off' })
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- Show current status for current mode (not pending)
+	if plugin_settings.config_mode == 'global_with_overrides' and not pending_config_mode then
+		table.insert(items, { '---', '', '' })
+		
+		-- Show what this ROM is currently using
+		local status_text = 'This ROM is using: '
+		if settings_info.using_rom_settings or settings_info.using_rom_excludes then
+			status_text = status_text .. 'ROM overrides'
+		else
+			status_text = status_text .. 'Global settings'
+		end
+		table.insert(items, { status_text, '', 'off' })
+		
+		-- Show detailed breakdown if there are mixed settings
+		if settings_info.using_rom_settings ~= settings_info.using_rom_excludes then
+			if settings_info.using_rom_settings then
+				table.insert(items, { '  Hotkeys: ROM override', '', 'off' })
+			else
+				table.insert(items, { '  Hotkeys: Global', '', 'off' })
+			end
+			if settings_info.using_rom_excludes then
+				table.insert(items, { '  Excluded views: ROM override', '', 'off' })
+			else
+				table.insert(items, { '  Excluded views: Global', '', 'off' })
+			end
+		end
+		
+		-- Add option to remove ROM overrides if they exist
+		if settings_info.has_rom_settings or settings_info.has_rom_excludes then
+			table.insert(items, { 'Remove ROM overrides', '', '' })
+			settings_remove_overrides_index = #items
+		end
+	end
+	
+	table.insert(items, { '---', '', '' })
+	
+	-- Change "Done" text based on whether there are pending changes
+	local done_text = 'Done'
+	if pending_config_mode and pending_config_mode ~= plugin_settings.config_mode then
+		done_text = 'Save & Exit'
+	end
+	table.insert(items, { done_text, '', '' })
+	settings_done = #items
+
+	return items
+end
+
+
 -- main menu
 
 local function handle_main(index, event)
@@ -283,6 +671,12 @@ local function handle_main(index, event)
 		elseif index == 4 then
 			table.insert(menu_stack, MENU_TYPES.CYCLE)
 			return true
+		elseif index == 5 then
+			table.insert(menu_stack, MENU_TYPES.EXCLUDE)
+			return true
+		elseif index == 6 then
+			table.insert(menu_stack, MENU_TYPES.SETTINGS)
+			return true
 		end
 	end
 	return false
@@ -295,6 +689,8 @@ local function populate_main()
 	table.insert(items, { '---', '', '' })
 	table.insert(items, { 'Quick switch hotkeys', '', '' })
 	table.insert(items, { 'Cycle hotkeys', '', '' })
+	table.insert(items, { 'Exclude views', '', '' })
+	table.insert(items, { 'Settings', '', '' })
 
 	return items
 end
@@ -304,10 +700,13 @@ end
 
 local lib = { }
 
-function lib:init(switch, cycle)
+function lib:init(switch, cycle, exclude, settings)
 	menu_stack = { MENU_TYPES.MAIN }
 	switch_hotkeys = switch
 	cycle_hotkeys = cycle
+	excluded_views = exclude or { }
+	plugin_settings = settings or { config_mode = 'global', layout_only_mode = false }
+	pending_config_mode = nil  -- Reset pending changes when plugin initializes
 end
 
 function lib:handle_event(index, event)
@@ -318,6 +717,10 @@ function lib:handle_event(index, event)
 		return handle_switch(index, event)
 	elseif current == MENU_TYPES.CYCLE then
 		return handle_cycle(index, event)
+	elseif current == MENU_TYPES.EXCLUDE then
+		return handle_exclude(index, event)
+	elseif current == MENU_TYPES.SETTINGS then
+		return handle_settings(index, event)
 	end
 end
 
@@ -329,7 +732,11 @@ function lib:populate()
 		return populate_switch()
 	elseif current == MENU_TYPES.CYCLE then
 		return populate_cycle()
+	elseif current == MENU_TYPES.EXCLUDE then
+		return populate_exclude()
+	elseif current == MENU_TYPES.SETTINGS then
+		return populate_settings()
 	end
 end
 
-return lib
+return lib
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/plugins/viewswitch/viewswitch_persist.lua b/plugins/viewswitch/viewswitch_persist.lua
index b012c2d..2aee8bb 100644
--- a/plugins/viewswitch/viewswitch_persist.lua
+++ b/plugins/viewswitch/viewswitch_persist.lua
@@ -7,8 +7,59 @@ local function settings_path()
 	return manager.machine.options.entries.homepath:value():match('([^;]+)') .. '/viewswitch'
 end
 
-local function settings_filename()
-	return emu.romname() .. '.cfg'
+local function settings_filename(use_global)
+	if use_global then
+		return 'global.cfg'
+	else
+		return manager.machine.system.name .. '.cfg'
+	end
+end
+
+local function exclude_filename(use_global)
+	if use_global then
+		return 'viewswitch_exclude.cfg'
+	else
+		return manager.machine.system.name .. '_exclude.cfg'
+	end
+end
+
+local function global_settings_filename()
+	return 'viewswitch_settings.cfg'
+end
+
+local function has_rom_settings()
+	local filename = settings_path() .. '/' .. settings_filename(false)
+	local file = io.open(filename, 'r')
+	if file then
+		local content = file:read('a')
+		file:close()
+		-- Check if file has meaningful content (not just empty or {})
+		if content and content:match('%S') then
+			local json = require('json')
+			local settings = json.parse(content)
+			if settings and next(settings) then
+				return true
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	return false
+end
+
+local function has_rom_excludes()
+	local filename = settings_path() .. '/' .. exclude_filename(false)
+	local file = io.open(filename, 'r')
+	if file then
+		local content = file:read('a')
+		file:close()
+		if content and content:match('%S') then
+			local json = require('json')
+			local settings = json.parse(content)
+			if settings and next(settings) then
+				return true
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	return false
 end
 
 
@@ -16,12 +67,125 @@ end
 
 local lib = { }
 
-function lib:load_settings()
+function lib:load_plugin_settings()
+	local plugin_settings = { 
+		config_mode = 'global',      -- default to global
+		layout_only_mode = false     -- default to show all views
+	}
+	
+	-- try to open the plugin settings file
+	local filename = settings_path() .. '/' .. global_settings_filename()
+	local file = io.open(filename, 'r')
+	if file then
+		-- try parsing settings as JSON
+		local json = require('json')
+		local settings = json.parse(file:read('a'))
+		file:close()
+		if not settings then
+			emu.print_error(string.format('Error loading plugin settings: error parsing file "%s" as JSON', filename))
+		else
+			-- Merge loaded settings with defaults
+			for key, value in pairs(settings) do
+				plugin_settings[key] = value
+			end
+			
+			-- Migrate old use_global setting to new config_mode
+			if plugin_settings.use_global ~= nil then
+				plugin_settings.config_mode = plugin_settings.use_global and 'global' or 'rom_specific'
+				plugin_settings.use_global = nil
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	
+	return plugin_settings
+end
+
+function lib:save_plugin_settings(plugin_settings)
+	-- make sure the settings path is a folder if it exists
+	local path = settings_path()
+	local stat = lfs.attributes(path)
+	if stat and (stat.mode ~= 'directory') then
+		emu.print_error(string.format('Error saving plugin settings: "%s" is not a directory', path))
+		return
+	end
+
+	if not stat then
+		lfs.mkdir(path)
+		stat = lfs.attributes(path)
+	end
+
+	-- try to write the file
+	local filename = path .. '/' .. global_settings_filename()
+	local json = require('json')
+	local text = json.stringify(plugin_settings, { indent = true })
+	local file = io.open(filename, 'w')
+	if not file then
+		emu.print_error(string.format('Error saving plugin settings: error opening file "%s" for writing', filename))
+	else
+		file:write(text)
+		file:close()
+	end
+end
+
+function lib:load_excluded_views_internal(use_global)
+	local excluded_views = { }
+	
+	-- try to open the exclude settings file
+	local filename = settings_path() .. '/' .. exclude_filename(use_global)
+	local file = io.open(filename, 'r')
+	if file then
+		-- try parsing settings as JSON
+		local json = require('json')
+		local exclude_settings = json.parse(file:read('a'))
+		file:close()
+		if not exclude_settings then
+			emu.print_error(string.format('Error loading view exclude settings: error parsing file "%s" as JSON', filename))
+		else
+			-- try to interpret the exclude settings
+			local render_targets = manager.machine.render.targets
+			for i_str, target_excludes in pairs(exclude_settings) do
+				local i = tonumber(i_str)  -- convert string key to number
+				local target = render_targets[i]
+				if target then
+					excluded_views[i] = { }
+					for j, view_name in pairs(target_excludes) do
+						for k, v in ipairs(target.view_names) do
+							if view_name == v then
+								excluded_views[i][k] = true
+								break
+							end
+						end
+					end
+				end
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	
+	return excluded_views
+end
+
+function lib:load_excluded_views(config_mode)
+	if config_mode == 'global' then
+		return self:load_excluded_views_internal(true)
+	elseif config_mode == 'rom_specific' then
+		return self:load_excluded_views_internal(false)
+	elseif config_mode == 'global_with_overrides' then
+		-- Try ROM-specific first, fall back to global
+		if has_rom_excludes() then
+			return self:load_excluded_views_internal(false)
+		else
+			return self:load_excluded_views_internal(true)
+		end
+	end
+	return { }
+end
+
+function lib:load_settings_internal(use_global)
 	local switch_hotkeys = { }
 	local cycle_hotkeys = { }
 
 	-- try to open the system settings file
-	local filename = settings_path() .. '/' .. settings_filename()
+	local filename = settings_path() .. '/' .. settings_filename(use_global)
 	local file = io.open(filename, 'r')
 	if file then
 		-- try parsing settings as JSON
@@ -38,7 +202,7 @@ function lib:load_settings()
 				local target = render_targets[i]
 				if target then
 					for view, hotkey in pairs(config.switch or { }) do
-						for j, v in pairs(target.view_names) do
+						for j, v in ipairs(target.view_names) do
 							if view == v then
 								table.insert(switch_hotkeys, { target = i, view = j, config = hotkey, sequence = input:seq_from_tokens(hotkey) })
 								break
@@ -59,7 +223,24 @@ function lib:load_settings()
 	return switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys
 end
 
-function lib:save_settings(switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys)
+function lib:load_settings(config_mode)
+	if config_mode == 'global' then
+		return self:load_settings_internal(true)
+	elseif config_mode == 'rom_specific' then
+		return self:load_settings_internal(false)
+	elseif config_mode == 'global_with_overrides' then
+		-- Try ROM-specific first, fall back to global
+		if has_rom_settings() then
+			return self:load_settings_internal(false)
+		else
+			return self:load_settings_internal(true)
+		end
+	end
+	return { }, { }
+end
+
+-- Internal function to save to a specific file type
+function lib:save_settings_to_file(switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys, save_global)
 	-- make sure the settings path is a folder if it exists
 	local path = settings_path()
 	local stat = lfs.attributes(path)
@@ -68,8 +249,10 @@ function lib:save_settings(switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys)
 		return
 	end
 
+	-- Determine filename based on save_global flag
+	local filename = path .. '/' .. settings_filename(save_global)
+	
 	-- if nothing to save, remove existing settings file
-	local filename = path .. '/' .. settings_filename()
 	if (#switch_hotkeys == 0) and (#cycle_hotkeys == 0) then
 		os.remove(filename)
 	else
@@ -120,4 +303,217 @@ function lib:save_settings(switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys)
 	end
 end
 
-return lib
+-- Rest of the functions remain the same...
+function lib:save_excluded_views_to_file(excluded_views, save_global)
+	-- make sure the settings path is a folder if it exists
+	local path = settings_path()
+	local stat = lfs.attributes(path)
+	if stat and (stat.mode ~= 'directory') then
+		emu.print_error(string.format('Error saving view exclude settings: "%s" is not a directory', path))
+		return
+	end
+
+	-- Determine filename based on save_global flag
+	local filename = path .. '/' .. exclude_filename(save_global)
+	
+	-- For global saves, we need to merge with existing exclusions
+	local final_exclude_settings = {}
+	
+	if save_global then
+		-- Load existing global exclusions first
+		local existing_file = io.open(filename, 'r')
+		if existing_file then
+			local json = require('json')
+			local existing_settings = json.parse(existing_file:read('a'))
+			existing_file:close()
+			if existing_settings then
+				final_exclude_settings = existing_settings
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- Check if we have any new exclusions to add
+	local has_new_excludes = false
+	for target_index, target_excludes in pairs(excluded_views) do
+		for view_index, excluded in pairs(target_excludes) do
+			if excluded then
+				has_new_excludes = true
+				break
+			end
+		end
+		if has_new_excludes then break end
+	end
+	
+	-- If no new exclusions and we're saving globally, don't modify the file
+	if not has_new_excludes and save_global then
+		return
+	end
+	
+	-- If no new exclusions and not saving globally, remove the ROM-specific file
+	if not has_new_excludes and not save_global then
+		os.remove(filename)
+		return
+	end
+
+	if not stat then
+		lfs.mkdir(path)
+		stat = lfs.attributes(path)
+	end
+
+	-- Add/update current ROM's exclusions to the final settings
+	local render_targets = manager.machine.render.targets
+	for target_index, target_excludes in pairs(excluded_views) do
+		local target = render_targets[target_index]
+		if target then
+			-- Get existing exclusions for this target (for global saves)
+			local existing_target_excludes = {}
+			if save_global and final_exclude_settings[tostring(target_index)] then
+				existing_target_excludes = final_exclude_settings[tostring(target_index)]
+			end
+			
+			-- Build new exclusion list for this target
+			local excluded_list = {}
+			
+			-- Add existing exclusions first (only for global saves)
+			if save_global then
+				for _, view_name in pairs(existing_target_excludes) do
+					excluded_list[#excluded_list + 1] = view_name
+				end
+			end
+			
+			-- Add new exclusions, avoiding duplicates
+			for view_index, excluded in pairs(target_excludes) do
+				if excluded then
+					local view_name = target.view_names[view_index]
+					local already_exists = false
+					for _, existing_view in pairs(excluded_list) do
+						if existing_view == view_name then
+							already_exists = true
+							break
+						end
+					end
+					if not already_exists then
+						excluded_list[#excluded_list + 1] = view_name
+					end
+				end
+			end
+			
+			-- Only save if we have exclusions for this target
+			if #excluded_list > 0 then
+				final_exclude_settings[tostring(target_index)] = excluded_list
+			elseif not save_global then
+				-- For ROM-specific saves, if no exclusions, remove the target entry
+				final_exclude_settings[tostring(target_index)] = nil
+			end
+		end
+	end
+
+	-- Check if final settings has any content
+	local has_any_excludes = next(final_exclude_settings) ~= nil
+	
+	if not has_any_excludes then
+		os.remove(filename)
+	else
+		-- try to write the file with pretty formatting
+		local json = require('json')
+		local file = io.open(filename, 'w')
+		if not file then
+			emu.print_error(string.format('Error saving view exclude settings: error opening file "%s" for writing', filename))
+		else
+			file:write('{\n')
+			local target_keys = {}
+			for k in pairs(final_exclude_settings) do
+				table.insert(target_keys, k)
+			end
+			table.sort(target_keys, function(a, b) return tonumber(a) < tonumber(b) end)
+			
+			for i, target_key in ipairs(target_keys) do
+				local excluded_list = final_exclude_settings[target_key]
+				file:write(string.format('  "%s": [\n', target_key))
+				
+				for j, view_name in ipairs(excluded_list) do
+					local comma = (j < #excluded_list) and ',' or ''
+					file:write(string.format('    "%s"%s\n', view_name, comma))
+				end
+				
+				local target_comma = (i < #target_keys) and ',' or ''
+				file:write(string.format('  ]%s\n', target_comma))
+			end
+			file:write('}\n')
+			file:close()
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+function lib:save_settings(switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys, config_mode)
+	-- Determine where to save based on config mode
+	local save_global = true  -- Default to global
+	
+	if config_mode == 'rom_specific' then
+		save_global = false  -- Only ROM-specific mode saves to ROM files
+	elseif config_mode == 'global_with_overrides' then
+		save_global = true   -- Global with overrides saves to global (new defaults)
+	-- config_mode == 'global' uses default save_global = true
+	end
+	
+	self:save_settings_to_file(switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys, save_global)
+end
+
+function lib:save_excluded_views(excluded_views, config_mode)
+	-- Determine where to save based on config mode  
+	local save_global = true  -- Default to global
+	
+	if config_mode == 'rom_specific' then
+		save_global = false  -- Only ROM-specific mode saves to ROM files
+	elseif config_mode == 'global_with_overrides' then
+		save_global = true   -- Global with overrides saves to global (new defaults)
+	-- config_mode == 'global' uses default save_global = true
+	end
+	
+	self:save_excluded_views_to_file(excluded_views, save_global)
+end
+
+-- New function to copy current settings to ROM files while preserving global files
+function lib:copy_to_rom_settings(switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys, excluded_views)
+	-- Save current settings as ROM-specific without removing global files
+	self:save_settings_to_file(switch_hotkeys, cycle_hotkeys, false)  -- false = ROM file
+	self:save_excluded_views_to_file(excluded_views, false)  -- false = ROM file
+end
+
+-- New function to check which settings are currently being used
+function lib:get_current_settings_info(config_mode)
+	local has_rom_settings_file = has_rom_settings()
+	local has_rom_excludes_file = has_rom_excludes()
+	
+	local info = {
+		using_rom_settings = false,
+		using_rom_excludes = false,
+		has_rom_settings = has_rom_settings_file,
+		has_rom_excludes = has_rom_excludes_file
+	}
+	
+	if config_mode == 'global_with_overrides' then
+		-- Only mark as "using ROM" if the files actually exist
+		info.using_rom_settings = has_rom_settings_file
+		info.using_rom_excludes = has_rom_excludes_file
+	elseif config_mode == 'rom_specific' then
+		-- In ROM-specific mode, we're always "using ROM settings" even if files don't exist yet
+		info.using_rom_settings = true
+		info.using_rom_excludes = true
+	end
+	-- For 'global' mode, everything stays false (using global)
+	
+	return info
+end
+
+-- New function to remove ROM-specific overrides
+function lib:remove_rom_overrides()
+	local path = settings_path()
+	local rom_settings_file = path .. '/' .. settings_filename(false)
+	local rom_excludes_file = path .. '/' .. exclude_filename(false)
+	
+	os.remove(rom_settings_file)
+	os.remove(rom_excludes_file)
+end
+
+return lib
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/plugins/viewswitch/viewswitch_utils.lua b/plugins/viewswitch/viewswitch_utils.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab807da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/viewswitch/viewswitch_utils.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+-- license:BSD-3-Clause
+-- copyright-holders:Vas Crabb
+
+-- Shared utility functions for viewswitch plugin
+
+local lib = {}
+
+function lib:parse_layout_views()
+	-- Get the ROM name and artwork paths
+	local romname = manager.machine.system.name
+	local artpath = manager.machine.options.entries.artpath:value()
+	
+	local layout_views = {}
+	local layout_content = nil
+	
+	-- Try to find and read the default.lay file
+	for path in artpath:gmatch('[^;]+') do
+		-- Try direct file first
+		local layout_path = path .. '/' .. romname .. '/default.lay'
+		local file = io.open(layout_path, 'r')
+		if file then
+			layout_content = file:read('*all')
+			file:close()
+			break
+		end
+		
+		-- Try ZIP file (this is trickier - MAME handles ZIP internally)
+		-- We can try to use MAME's file loading if available
+		local zip_path = path .. '/' .. romname .. '.zip'
+		if lfs and lfs.attributes(zip_path) then
+			-- If we have lfs, the zip exists, but we can't easily extract from Lua
+			-- This would require MAME's internal file handling
+			-- For now, we'll skip ZIP files and recommend extracting them
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- Parse the XML content to extract view names
+	if layout_content then
+		-- Simple XML parsing to find <view name="..."> tags
+		for view_name in layout_content:gmatch('<view%s+name%s*=%s*["\']([^"\']+)["\']') do
+			table.insert(layout_views, view_name)
+		end
+		
+		-- Also try alternate XML formatting patterns
+		for view_name in layout_content:gmatch('<view%s+name%s*=%s*["\']([^"\']*)["\'][^>]*>') do
+			-- Avoid duplicates
+			local found = false
+			for _, existing in ipairs(layout_views) do
+				if existing == view_name then
+					found = true
+					break
+				end
+			end
+			if not found and view_name ~= "" then
+				table.insert(layout_views, view_name)
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	
+	return layout_views
+end
+
+function lib:get_layout_view_indices(target, layout_view_names)
+	-- Match layout view names to actual view indices in the target
+	local view_indices = {}
+	local target_view_names = target.view_names
+	
+	for _, layout_view_name in ipairs(layout_view_names) do
+		for i, target_view_name in ipairs(target_view_names) do
+			if target_view_name == layout_view_name then
+				table.insert(view_indices, {index = i, name = target_view_name})
+				break
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	
+	return view_indices
+end
+
+function lib:get_layout_only_views(target)
+	-- Get view names from the layout file
+	local layout_view_names = self:parse_layout_views()
+	
+	-- If no layout views found, return empty (will trigger fallback)
+	if #layout_view_names == 0 then
+		return {}
+	end
+	
+	-- Match them to actual view indices
+	local layout_views = self:get_layout_view_indices(target, layout_view_names)
+	
+	return layout_views
+end
+
+function lib:get_filtered_views(target, plugin_settings)
+	if plugin_settings.layout_only_mode then
+		return self:get_layout_only_views(target)
+	else
+		-- Return all views in the same format
+		local all_views = {}
+		local view_names = target.view_names
+		for i, view_name in ipairs(view_names) do
+			table.insert(all_views, {index = i, name = view_name})
+		end
+		return all_views
+	end
+end
+
+return lib
\ No newline at end of file