Windows 10: Recovery from corrupt user profile

I normally log on to my laptop (Windows 10, 32-bit) using my Microsoft account. Just over a week ago, it developed a fault, telling me that I had entered an incorrect password. I knew this wasn't the case as I can still log on to my other computer using the same Microsoft account credentials.


Fortunately, I have another admin account on the laptop that I can use. I logged in with that and tried various fixes, all of which failed. I therefore concluded that my original user profile was beyond repair and decided to delete the user and recreate it. I then discovered that any new user I create on the laptop fails at log-in with the message "The user profile servce failed the sign-in. User profile cannot be loaded". So it appears that the default user profile is corrupted too, meaning I cannot create new users.


I guess it's time to repair my Windows installation. The instructions I read say "If you haven't already done so, you should link your Windows 10 product key with your Microsoft account". To do that (I think) I must first link the sign-in that I am using with my Microsoft account. Unfortunately, when I try to do that, I get that infuriatingly unhelpful message "Oops, something went wrong (it's probably our fault)". I agree with that last bit. As I understand it, this message indicates that WIndows thinks there's already an account on the machine linked with the specified Microsoft account. However, the only user ever linked with a Microsoft account is the one I deleted.


I have now run out of ideas.


Can anyone please advise how to link the sign-in I am currently using with my Microsoft account when Windows, erroneously, believes there is already a user linked to that account?


As a lesser priority, if anyone can suggest a solution to the "all new users fail login with a user profile error", that would also be of interest.


Kind regards

Keith

:)

 

Corrupted User Profile

Hi,

There maybe a couple of reasons behind this misbehavior such as a corrupted system file. However, we would like to be able to verify which process exactly is corrupted.

• When you install, does it give you any form of error message when it fails?
• What other processes doesn't go through on the said User account?

As per troubleshooting, you may refer to
Likhitha V's response on this thread. See if it applies to you. However,
just to give you a heads up. The steps are about creating a new user profile and deleting the current one. I suggest you back up your files so you may be able to transfer it. You can also find information about it on the same thread.

We'll be waiting for your response. If you have any other concerns, don't hesitate to come back to us.

 

Corrupted user profile

Hi Mason,

It is possible that this issue is due to the corrupted user profile. To properly troubleshoot the issue, kindly verify the following:

• Have you tried using another user profile and test the issue?
• Have you tried performing a clean boot to eliminate software conflicts?
• Have you tried running System File Checker to check for any file corruption?
  

We're looking forward to your response.

 

How do I fix a corrupt user profile in Win10...

Hello,



Thank you for posting on Microsoft Community. We regret the inconvenience caused and will assist you in resolving the issue.



Before assisting further, I would like to ask you few questions:

• 
  What are the issue you are facing with?
  
• 
  What do you mean by “I had this happen earlier”, is similar issue occurring again?
  
• 
  If yes, what was the issue you were facing with before and now?
  

To delete a corrupted user profile, you have to enable built-in administrator.



Enable built-in administrator by following the steps below, create a new user profile, transfer all the data from the corrupted user to the newly created user profile and check if the issue is resolved.



Step 1: Enable built-in administrator account.

• 
  Open elevated command prompt by entering Safe mode with Command prompt.
  To go to safe mode, use the power button on the sign-in screen and press
  Shift + Restart. This will take you to the recovery boot menu. Click
  Troubleshoot> Advanced options> Startup settings.
  You then see a list where you can choose Safe Mode with Command prompt.
  
• 
  Type the following command: net user administrator /active:yes
  
• 
  Login into the built in administrator user profile and create a new user profile with administrator privileges.
  
• 
  Delete the corrupted user account from the built in administrator.
  
• 
  Then lock your screen by pressing Windows key + L, and sign-in at the
  Administrator account.
  
• 
  Check if the issue persist and you can disable built in administrator account by typing the command:
  net user administrator /active:no
  in the Command prompt (Admin).
  

Step 2: To create a new user account follow the steps below:

• 
  Open Elevated command prompt by pressing
  Windows logo + X keys on the keyboard and select Command prompt (Admin).
  
• 
  Type net user NewAccount password /add
  and click Enter.
  
• 
  Type net localgroup Administrators NewAccount /add and click
  Enter.
  
• 
  Log off from the system and login to the new user account.
  

Write to us with the answers to the above questions and the status of the issue on the same post for further assistance. Your reply is most important for us to ensure we assist you accordingly.



Thank you.