Windows 10: Can't Login - User Profile Service Failed

I've found a fix for my problems:

• I copied the ntuser.dat file from my backup working admin account to folder c:\users\default. I can now create and log in to a new user account which appears with the default icons - but I don't see the getting things ready spinning icon. Is this a problem and why does copying ntuser.dat fix the problem?
• I had various issues with my normal admin account following the system restore e.g. I couldn't set a picture background and had problems with the Chrome configuration. I copied the admin account profile files from my Reflect backup and this account is now working fine.

I'm wondering if I should still do an in place repair since I had to use another version of ntuser.dat to get the system working? I tried copying over ntuser.dat from my Reflect backup folder c:\user\default but that gave the profile error. Is that because ntuser.dat depends on the version of Windows? There have been a few build updates since my last backup on 6/1/15.

 

Yeah, since you're still having issues, it may be best to try a repair install.

 

All seems fine at the moment. Are there any problems in 'pinching' nutuser.dat from another account and copying it to c:\users\default? Also, does ntuser.dat depend on the release version of Windows?

 

The Ntuser.dat file is a registry file. Each user's Ntuser.dat file contains the registry settings for their individual account. The configuration of the "HKEY_CURRENT_USER" branch of the registry is supported by the current user's Ntuser.dat file.

Contents of a user profile

If you're not having anymore issues, then you should be fine. *Smile

 

Thanks - I learn something new every time I have a Windows problem.

What initiates the "Getting things ready" intro which I don't see now for a new user since I've copied across the ntuser.dat file from another user? Also, does ntuser.dat depend on the Windows release version since I can't work out why copying across the version of ntuser.dat from 4 weeks ago doesn't fix the problem?

 

ntuser.dat is basically the HKCU branch in the registry for a user account. I would imagine that if it's not current, it may not work.

 

I found a reference to this command - icacls c:\users\default /T /Q /C /Reset - as a possible fix to the ntuser.dat problem file in c:\users\default.

I plan to try the icacls command fix (having backed up the currently operative c:\user\default folder). Before I do so, can someone confirm this command is the correct way to set default permissions for the c:\users\default folder?

 

Steve,

That command is used to reset permissions with default inherited ACLs for the specified directory or file.

Icacls

 

Just to confirm - the command icacls c:\users\default /T /Q /C /Reset doesn't fix the problem.

I also have some problems in one account with the Store app not being present and several other apps not working. I'll try the in place repair. Is the current ISO on Tech Bench still valid for this since I'm now on Version 1511 OS Build 10586.36?

 

I hope the ISO will work for the repair install.

 

I've now done a repair install which fixed a problem with apps but not this problem.

I can create a new local standard account but when I try to login in, I now see the message 'Welcome' immediately followed by the message 'Signing Out'. I'm then taken back to the intro screen showing all users. I can create a new local admin account and login but then the start menu doesn't work and I can't do anything in the account.

I'm very unimpressed I still can't create and use a new account following the repair install - any ideas?

I'm planning do do a clean install shortly anyway since I want to move to a SSD installation.

 

Yeah, it looks like a clean install is the last option available then. *Sad

 

The problem seems to be a corrupted default user folder in c:\users - see my fix at post 14. I've copied over ntuser.dat from another profile and I can now create accounts. I've no idea why this corruption happened. I had hoped the repair install would fix the problem with the default user folder but it hasn't.

A possible solution to this problem would be if someone could explain how to recreate the default user folder or else provide a download link for it on this forum. That would at least avoid the need for a clean install to solve a relatively common problem. Maybe it's not that simple?

 

Usually when it the profile can't be fixed, one has to create a new user account or reinstall Windows. *Sad

 

The reason a new user account cannot be created is because the default user folder is corrupted! A clean install could be avoided if it is possible to download the default user profile from somewhere.