Windows 10: error: c:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop is unavailable

I have Win v.1909 bld 18363.836 and I've been working from home on my own laptop. The company had us install Citrix at home so that we could login to our computers at work and work on them. It is required because we use enterprise software that is not portable. I created a new "admin" account for my work.

So, since Citrix, I notice I have 2 microsoft accounts; one for my home admin user and one for my work admin user. Until today, using Citrix to login to work didn't cause any problems.

Then, I did something stupid. Without thinking I ran a full cleanup using "REG ORGANIZER" while logged in to my work user. It did not hurt my work user one bit, but it certainly hurt my home user. The first problem occurred when I logged out of work and into home user. I got an error: "c:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop is unavailable". Second, my user screen is black. There seems to be a taskbar but nothing shows on it and there are 30 notifications but I can't see them when I click the icon. Third, I got another error "Critical Error Your Start Menu isn't working, We'll try to fix it the next time you login." Fortunately, I could Ctrl-Alt-Del and logoff and login to my work user. He is fine, like nothing happened and I was able to work today without a problem.

I read up on the error, learned that I could create the dir "DESKTOP" on c:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\.
So I did, but it did not help my home user one bit.

I hope I'm giving enough details. Does anybody have any suggestions about how to bring my home Admin User back to life? All the files are there and I can access them from the Work Admin user, but I'd really like my home user back with all saved passwords and settings that I had.

:)

 

C:\\WINDOWS\System32\config\systemprofile\Desktop is unavailable error, cannot login

C:\\WINDOWS\System32\config\systemprofile\Desktop is unavailable error, cannot login

 

C:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop is unavailable error on Windows 10

Hello Vik,

This C:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop is unavailable error may occur due to corrupt or missing Windows files.

To troubleshoot the issue, you can follow these simple steps:

• Open File Explorer and navigate to: C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile and check if it has the
  Desktop folder there.
• If the Desktop folder does not exist, then create a new folder and rename it as
  Desktop or copy it from C:\users\Default\Desktop.

Note: By default, C:\Users\Default is hidden. To unhide click on the View tab and check the
Hidden Items box.

After you have created the folder, it is required that you give full permission to the folder. You can follow these steps to give full permission:

• Right click on the folder, select Properties then click on the Security tab.
• Click on Edit.
• On the Permissions for Desktop window, select Everyone and then click on
  Add.
• In the Enter the object names to select dialog box, type
  Everyone and click on Check Names.
• Click OK.

If you need further assistance, let us know.

 

C:\\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop is unavailable.

Hi all,

I updated to the new Windows 10 update and then I saw my desktop was black with only the recycle bin icon.

I have been getting this error message:

C:\\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop is unavailable. If the location is on this PC, make sure the device or drive is connected or the disc is inserted, and then try again. If the location is on a network, make sure you're connected to the
network or the internet, and then try again. If the location still can't be found, it might have been moved or deleted.

I have read various tips and I have already tried adding the Desktop folder to
C:\\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\

however, when I restarted my laptop after this, the screen was still black with the recycle bin icon and I got this message:

C:\\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop is not accessible. Access is denied.

Is anyone able to help from here?

Kind regards.

UPDATE:

The screen came back and I got this message:

sihost.exe unknown hard error

As soon as I clicked "Ok" the screen went completely black and I can only see my cursor.