Andrew,

Related to this forum topic with the attached file as example.
Tested on Win7 32 bit.

Drawing Preferences .. General .. Grid .. Display Grid Y/N is not reflected in the GUI.
But changing the Grid visibility with GR is reflected back in the Drawing Preferences.

Per GUI Viewport:
It is thus possible to set the preference to yes without that the grid is showing.
Or clearing the preference with a visible Grid and then it remains visible.

Regards,
CVH