This sub-forum is for both MAx (standard) and Max Design.
The Design version has "Default to By Layer for New Nodes" on by default, Max does not. Alt-X is always there as a valid shortcut, but gets overriden because the Layer properties take precedence. Turning that option off allows new nodes to be created "by Object" which returns precedence to the shortcut and away from the layer properties. It does not affect existing nodes as they will have been created By Layer thus the Layer properties will still take precedence for them.
The Custom UI & Defaults Switcher can turn either version into the other, insofar as that is possible, with respect to the UI and the default settings.
If you look at that option (the switcher) there are 4 main options. "MAX" will set the normal (non-design) defaults, "designviz.mentalray" will set the Max Design defaults.
Obviously some things cannot be changed, so turning Max into Max Design will not magically install the Lighting Analysis which is a Max Design only feature.
Max 2016 (SP1/EXT1)
Win7Pro x64 (SP1). i5-3570K @ 4.4GHz, 8Gb Ram, DX11.
nVidia GTX760 (2GB) (Driver 430.86).