Windows 10: Help with recovering my lost files due to a Windows 10 temporary profile error

As you could probably tell by my post history, this isn't my first post based on the issue I am having, but hopefully this is my last. This has been an issue almost three years in the making.


This issue involves my Dell Inspiron N5050 laptop. It was given to me as a birthday present on July 25, 2012. It was working well until October of 2015, when I upgraded to Windows 10. In about April or May 2016, my laptop encountered a temporary profile error, and since then, it has been largely unusable, which has resulted in the disappearance of the vast majority of my videos, files, and documents.

Here’s where things get interesting: fast forward to July 31, 2016. I used a video tutorial to try to solve the profile error:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50uF-eCrZGM&feature=youtu.be



This was a mistake, because I fear it may have overwritten my user account, and all of my personal files are now gone forever. On top of that, system restore doesn't work, nor does it go back far enough for me to do anything. I am now accessing my laptop using a “half-baked” version. However, I do have a glimmer of hope. My username — where all of my personal files are located — is “obohokey”. All of the fonts I’ve downloaded since I’ve gotten the laptop in 2012 are still on the laptop. Furthermore, all downloads since the Temporary Profile Error go to “obohokey.obohokey-PC.001” instead of “obohokey.”


I've tried contacting my school's IT help desk for assistance to my long-persisting problem. They suggested that I try to do a backup of my current files and do a complete reinstall, with the risk of potential data loss. I strongly considered this until I noticed how much data I had free on my drive.

You'll have to turn your head to see it, but it says that I have 819 GB free. I know for certain that I had way LESS than 819 GB free up to the moment the entire issue occurred, so that is why I approached doing a system reinstall with apprehension. If the system is wiped clean, and the wrong files are copied, then I will lose all of my actual files, assuming they are still on my laptop somewhere.


What do I do in this situation? Do I take a chance and go with the system reinstall, or if not, what should I do to be able to access "obohokey" again and finally put an end to this saga?


I understand that this is a lot of information to process. I will be deeply grateful to anyone who is willing to help me. Thanks.

:)

 

Lost Files saved in Temporary profile

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

It must be difficult when things do not work as expected.

A temporary user profile is issued each time an error condition prevents the user's profile from loading. Temporary profiles are deleted at the end of each session, and changes made by the user to their desktop settings and files are lost when the user logs
off. I suggest you to use any third party application and check if you are able to recover the deleted files.

Disclaimer: Using Third Party Software, including hardware drivers can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee
that any problems resulting from the use of Third Party Software can be solved. Usage of Third Party Software are done at your own risk.

Hope the information helps. Let us know if you need further assistance. We will be happy to help.

Thank you.

 

signed in with temporary profile windows 10

Hi Alan,

I realize the inconvenience you are experiencing with Temporary profile. I will certainly help you.

To assist you better, let us know from which version of Windows you upgraded to Windows 10? Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 update?

I suggest you to refer to below link on “find lost files after upgrading to Windows 10” and go to the option
Check to see if you’re signed in with a temporary profile.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12386/windows-10-find-lost-files-after-update

I also suggest you to create a new user account and check if it helps.

Please follow the below mentioned steps to create a new user account:

• 
  Press Windows logo key +
  I key to open Settings.
  
• 
  Select Accounts, click on
  Family & other people in the left pane.
  
• 
  Under Other users, select
  Add someone else to this PC.
  
• 
  Enter a name for the new account. If you wish create a password, and verify the password, add a password hint, then select
  Next.
  
• 
  Select Finish.
  

Note: As you are logged in temporary profile be sure to copy everything you worked on to an external drive/flash drive because it will be deleted when you sign out.

Please get back to us if you still face any difficulty with your Windows 10 login profile. We will be happy to help.

Thank you.

 

Lost Files saved in Temporary profile

Good day everyone. I would like to ask a help. I was signed in into a temporary profile yesterday because I cannot sign in my account. I transferred all my files there because I have work to be done. But when I restarted my windows, my original account came
back and my files were lost. Do I have still the chance to recover my files? please please please help. thank you very much.

Original title:Temporary Profile Issue