What causes a corrupted user profile?

Here you will find out:

• what a “corrupted user profile” is and its causes

• how to fix this error

• how DiskInternals Partition Recovery can help you

Are you ready? Let's read!

What is a “corrupted user profile” and what are its causes?

There are a bunch of factors that can result in a "corrupted user profile" error on Windows. These factors include malware or virus attacks on the system or compromised system files. In any case, the error signifies that the user profile you're trying to log in with is corrupted or deleted (i.e., missing).

How to fix this error

Method 1: Create a new account

It’s as simple as that: you need a new user account. Since the current profile/account is already missing on the computer, the only way to get into that PC is by using another (admin) account. However, if there’s no other account on the computer, here is how to activate a “net admin” user account:

If you can’t log in because the only user account on the PC is the corrupted one, you can log in as an administrator.

• Boot the PC into safe mode

• Click on “Start” and select “Command Prompt”

• Enter this command into the terminal and hit “Enter”: net user administrator /active:yes

• Restart the computer; you should be able to log in without a password

After logging in, follow these steps to create a new account:

• Press Windows key + I to launch the settings page

• Go to “Accounts” and then click on “Family and Other People” on the left pane

• Click on “Add someone else to this computer”

Select Local Users and Groups, and then select Add.

Select Local computer, click Finish, and then select OK.

• Select the Users folder.
• Select the Action menu, and then select New User.
• Type the appropriate information in the dialog box, and then select Create.
• When you are finished creating user accounts, select Close.
• Restart the system.

Related: How to repair Windows 11 without losing data or programs

The computer is in a Workgroup

If the Windows 11/10 computer is on a Workgroup, follow these steps:

First, create a new Local Administrator user account and then change the newly created account to an administrator account.

To create a new Local Administrator user account, do the following:

• Select the Start  button, select Settings (gear icon) > Accounts  > Family & other users. (In some editions of Windows you’ll see Other users.)
• Select Add someone else to this PC.
• Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information, and on the next page, select Add a user without a Microsoft account.
• Enter a username, password, and password hint (or choose security questions), and then select Next.

To change the newly created account to an administrator account, do the following:

• Select the Start  button, select Settings (gear icon) > Accounts  > Family & other users.
• Select the account owner name, then select Change account type.
• Under Account type, select Administrator, then select OK.
• Restart the PC, then sign in with the new administrator account.

After you create the profile and have signed in, you can copy the files from the previous profile to the new user profile. Here’s how:

Launch File Explorer.

Select This PC, then select the hard drive that Windows is installed on (it’s usually your C: drive), then the Users folder, then the folder with the name of your account.

Locate the folder below, where C is the drive that Windows is installed on, and Old_Username is the name of the profile you want to copy files from.

C:\Users\

Press CTRL + A key combo to select all of the files and folders in this folder, then select the Edit menu and select Copy or press CTRL + C key combo.

Locate the folder below, where C is the drive that Windows is installed on, and New_Username is the name of the new user profile you created.

C:\Users\

Select the Edit menu and select Paste or press CTRL + V key combo.

Restart the computer, then log back in as the new user.

In conclusion, it’s noteworthy that, if you have email messages in an email program, you must import your email messages and addresses to the new user profile separately. Some applications previously installed may need to be reconfigured or reinstalled. Also, if you were logged into Microsoft Store apps like the Windows Store or Movies & TV you may need to log back into those apps to see your previous purchases or restore settings.

How do I restore user profile in Windows 11?

If you have accidentally deleted your user profile on Windows 11, you can restore or recover it using System Restore, provided, the System Restore is turned on. System Restore is a tool that helps users protect their computer software. It helps you take your system to the previous working state if a problem occurs.

These links may help you with specific problems:

1. Re-locate Windows Users Profile directory using Profile Relocator
2. How to delete a User Profile in Windows
3. Windows couldn’t connect to the ProfSVC service
4. Troubleshoot User Profile Service Event IDs
5. We can’t sign into your account
6. You’ve been signed in with a Temporary Profile
7. The User Profile Service failed the logon. User profile cannot be loaded
8. Transfer User Profile using Windows Easy Transfer
9. Repair Windows User Profile data & settings with ReProfiler
10. You’re currently logged on using a temporary profile error
11. Transwiz User Profile Transfer Wizard lets you migrate User Profiles.

That’s it, folks!

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