Windows 10: Windows 10 seemingly reset my user account and deleted all my data?

Hi,


I've just experienced something particularly weird. Windows Explorer was responding very slowly throughout the day, so I tried to fix this with a reboot. Previously, I read here that Cortana may have something to do with this, so I tried the recommended fix by downloading the according .reg file and used it to add this key here:


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search]
"AllowCortana"=dword:00000000


When I tried to reboot, Windows got stuck, saying "shutting down..." for several minutes. This is nothing too unusual or suspicious, so I did a hard reset. When I rebooted and logged in, the "we are preparing Windows for you..." screen showed up and subsequently, I found that my desktop was unfamiliar. It looks like a complete blank desktop as in a fresh reinstall. I also found that all my settings were gone: I have to enter my Dropbox credentials to sync, log in to Chrome, previously opened tabs in Chrome did not show up, all my Windows display settings were reset to default, Outlook asks me to add a mail account when started, etc., everything is back to default, basicly.


Most annoyingly, I found, that all my desktop's content vanished, as well as -- most infuriating -- my Outlook mail archives. At least I cannot find them. My Users directory is pretty much emtpy. C:\Windows.old does not contain my data, there's just WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository with something in it, that's all. Also, the User folder does not contain a copy of my data.


I tried all system restore points I have available, but all of them failed (giving little information about what seems to be the problem).


I would be thankful for any hints that could save some of my data. Windows 10 Enterprise Insider Preview Evaluation Copy Build 17682.rs_prerelease.180525-1616.


* Moved from Insider

:)

 

Strange Windows 10 User Account issue.

Look at this thread,How to Delete a User Account in Windows 10, it may help. You can try the various methods.
Make sure you are using an administrative account when removing the account or log on using the Administrator's account.

Or, if you are patient and know what you are doing, manually remove it.

Either way, Goodluck.

 

Cannot access my User Account on local machine but can access Admin account. Need help finding password but NOT reset it as it will delete saved data.

Hi,



I understand your concern and will assist you to resolve this issue.

If you reset the local account password it will not delete the Saved data.

I suggest you to back up the saved data and files from the admin account and try to reset the password and check if it helps.

Follow the steps below to reset the password.

• 
  Press Windows + R.
  
• 
  Type netplwiz and press enter.
  
• 
  Select the user account.
  
• 
  Click on Reset Password.
  

Hope this helps. If the issue remains unresolved, please get back to us and we would be happy to help.

 

Strange Windows 10 User Account issue.

Unfortunately I had done those steps numerous reboots, it just, reappears for no good reason. The base account isn't even a Microsoft account, it's a local account.

I haven't quite tried the built in administrator account on W10, but so far in my experience on my own computer, the built in account seemed to have absolutely no more control than I did on my own.

It's just strange, I go in, it warns me twice about deleting the account, then it's gone. Reboot, and it's back?

EDIT: Just to specify, both command line and Netplwiz both say only HIS account exists on the computer, it doesn't list this rogue account. This is what I meant in my first post about the fact that even Windows doesn't seem to believe it exists, HALF the time. *Frown