日本語では「設定」と一つの言葉で表すソフト上の名前が、英語にするとき色々ある。

以下においてVisual Studioでの定義が紹介されている。
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2074384/options-settings-properties-configuration-preferences-when-and-why

Following an approximate lead from Visual Studio and other Microsoft products:
...
Properties represent the characteristics of a single component or object in the application.
...
Options alter global ways that the application works. Microsoft products use this to customise the UI toolbar, for example. There's an implication here that you can disable UI elements altogether (e.g. a "Simple" user interface or an "Advanced" user interface).
...
Settings and Preferences change qualities of how the application works. The implication here is to change, not disable: for example, "Metric measurements" or "British Imperial measurements".
...
Configuration is often where an application is customised for each user or group.
...
But there's no single rule.
...
In addition, Preferences are probably not things that have as large of an impact as something labeled options or settings. Things such as a minor change in the display or something similar.

上記のリンクには他の意見もいくつかある。

どういう時にどれを使うか迷うが、大事なのは一貫性を持つことだと思う。

検索用キーワード

(追記 2018/05/14)

setting
option
Preference
- Preferences（複数形）の記事は「Preference」で見つからなかった (2018-12-04)