How do I change the default settings for artboards?

[PDM_julie]

I'm not sure which version of Illustrator or settings I have been using for the last 7 years, but now when I load up Illustrator, the artboard is transparent, the background area AROUND the artboard is the transparent grid, and there are green guides all over the place. 

I have been hunting and searching for the settings to fix this, but regardless of what I try, it either makes the background area grey (like it's always been) along WITH the artboard background color, or everything is the transparent grid. 

Can someone please explain to me how I can load up Illustrator and get a WHITE canvas on a DARK GREY background with NO guidelines EVERY time? I can't believe this is so difficult.

Mac OS Big Sur 11.2.3
Adobe Illustrator 25.2.3

[Larry G. Schneider · Accepted solution]

The template you are describing is caused by the choice of Web/Video for the New Document Profile. Use Art/Illustration or Print.

[PDM_julie]

OMG THANK YOU. 
This is exactly what I needed. Though I'm a little enraged that despite anything I did, I couldn't get any of the settings how I liked them. VERY frustrating.

[PDM_julie]

 Also, I have my user interface set with grey background and a white canvas, yet nothing here seems to change anything in the document.