Photoshop doesn’t remember the Layers panel setting

Have you tried saving your arrangement as a Custom Workspace?

First set up your layout.

Window menu > Workspace >  New Workspace.   

Then anytime things get moved around,  Reset Workspace puts it back to your defaults.

But saving a Workspace means it should open exactly as you arranged it.

Also if you use MacOS, give Photoshop “Full Disk Access” under Privacy and Security. That overcomes most permissions problems that can interfere with settings.