<!--IssueSummary start--> <details> <summary> Everyone can contribute. [Help move this issue forward](https://handbook.gitlab.com/handbook/marketing/developer-relations/contributor-success/community-contributors-workflows/#contributor-links) while earning points, leveling up and collecting rewards. </summary> - [Close this issue](https://contributors.gitlab.com/manage-issue?action=close&projectId=278964&issueIid=377958) </details> <!--IssueSummary end--> As per this forum post: https://forum.gitlab.com/t/change-the-default-for-initialize-repository-with-a-readme/75722 In summary, the checkbox for initializing with a README is enabled by default. Gitlab doesn't remember this via state of cookies, or allow configuration of enabling/disabling this. Ideally, it would be better for this to either be integrated as an option within the Admin Panel to enable/disable, or at least within ```/etc/gitlab/gitlab.rb``` so that the value can be set to true/false accordingly to user requirements.