So, in this article, we’re going to show you all the options you have when your user profile gets corrupt. This is a well-known issue, but there are ways to fix corrupt user profiles on Windows. A corrupted user profile can cause certain problems and prevent you from accessing Windows.
What causes a corrupt user profile in Windows 10?
The following are the most common causes that lead to a corrupt user profile in Windows 10. Note that there can be others as well:
Windows updates that failed to install properly A file system on the hard drive that has been corrupted as a result of power failures Key in the profile registry that is corrupted Active directory user account that’s been compromised Possibly compromised user or system files due to viruses Windows automatic updates
You should attempt to restart your Windows computer about four times, pausing between each restart to allow your machine to return to the Desktop each time. Although it may sound ridiculous, this is not the case. Windows has a good self-recovery method that it may employ to fix a faulty user profile; however, this procedure needs many restarting of the operating system. Moreover, here are some error variations that you may encounter, but nonetheless, fix with the solutions below:
Corrupt user profile registry key Corrupted user profile unable to load User profile service failed Corrupted user account active directory Corrupted user file User profile won’t load User profile keeps getting locked out, keeps disappearing Corrupt user profile on Windows 10/7 domain Corrupt default user profile Windows 10
Unfortunately, corrupt user files are common in Windows, especially after the upgrade from Windows 8.1/7 to Windows 10, and various solutions for this problem could be applied, depending on the error message you receive. Users say that user profiles can become corrupted because of a lot of things, so we don’t know exactly what caused this problem for you. In one case or another, here’s what you can do right away.
How do I fix a corrupted user profile in Windows 10?
1. Repair corrupted Windows 10 user profile with Windows Registry
How do I fix user profile problems? If you have a Windows 10 corrupt user profile registry, try to restart your computer first, as it probably doesn’t work, restart it again, and enter Safe Mode. Note that the steps are similar for both Windows 10 and 11 and you can use this to fix a corrupted user profile in Windows 11. Once you enter the Safe Mode, do the following: This is a simple and easy method to fix a corrupt user profile on Windows 10 with Regedit, so be sure to give it a try. If you believe doing it manually is confusing, try to do it automatically to restore broken and corrupted system files in a safe manner, we recommend using a professional program. Repairing damaged user profiles might be time-consuming if you don’t know what’s causing the problem. Restoro can help you in diagnosing and repairing missing system files for user profiles, as well as restoring the operating system to its initial state prior to the harm caused by those conflicting files. We hope this solution helped you to restore your user profile if not, you can try creating a new one, and then transfer your files from the previous account.
2. Create new user profile in Windows 10
If you cannot log in to your user account on startup, the only thing you can do is to create a new account, and then transfer files from your corrupt account in order to repair your user profile in Windows 10. In case you already have another account registered on your computer, log in with that account, and follow the steps for copying files from one account to another, as shown below. Moreover, if you don’t have another account, you’ll have to enable a special hidden admin account, and then log in to that account to create a new user account, and transfer files from your old user profile.
2.1 Enable a hidden admin account
You have activated the admin account, and it will be available to log in on the next boot. So, when your computer starts, just login into the admin account and follow the steps below.
2.2 Create a new user profile
Now, you have a fully-function new user account, and all you have to do is to transfer your data from the old user account to it.
2.3 Transfer your data
3. Repair user profile Windows 10 with CMD
3.1 SFC scan
Your files can become corrupted for various reasons, and in order to fix the problem, you need to perform an SFC scan. SPONSORED If the SFC scan can’t fix the problem, or if you can’t run the SFC scan at all, you might want to try using the DISM scan instead.
3.2 DISM scan
Keep in mind that DISM scan can take up to 20 minutes or more to complete, so be sure not to interrupt it.
3.3 Use PowerShell
Before we start, we have to mention that PowerShell is a powerful tool to repair a Windows 10 profile, and running certain commands can cause problems with your Windows installation. To run this command, you just need to do the following: After doing that, the problem with the corrupted user profile should be resolved. As you can see, it’s possible to repair the user profile on Windows 10 with cmd, and this solution will help you do just that.
4. Install the latest updates
Windows will now download the available updates in the background. After installing the missing updates, check if the issue still appears.
5. Reset Windows 10
According to users, sometimes the only way to fix a corrupt user profile is to perform a reset for your user profile in Windows 10. This process will remove installed applications, but it should keep your personal files intact. Just in case, it might be a good idea to back up your important files in case anything goes wrong. It’s worth mentioning that this process might require a Windows 10 installation media, so create one using Media Creation Tool. If the resetting process sounds a bit confusing to you, be sure to check our guide on how to reset Windows 10 for more information.
6. Run an in-depth antivirus scan
In rare cases, certain malicious codes may trigger user profile issues and may even corrupt your user profile. You need reliable antivirus software to detect and remove the threats that caused this problem. It’s important to run a full system scan and wait until the antivirus has scanned absolutely all your system files.
How to check if user profile is corrupted Windows 10?
One of the symptoms of corrupted user profile in Windows 10 is if your Windows 10 profile is not loading properly, it’s rather likely that it’s corrupted. This is usually followed by a message that appears when trying to log in. In addition, certain features might not work properly. Many users reported that Windows apps can crash due to a corrupted user account, which will negatively impact your user experience. In some instances, you might even be signed in with a temporary profile on Windows 10 until you manage to find the issue. What causes a corrupted user profile you may ask? It’s possible that your system is damaged or that it has encountered a bug. It’s also possible that your profile is not deleted completely, thus causing the issue. User profile errors can appear after a Windows Update, or if the user profile is not in the registry, but luckily you can fix those issues by doing the following:
If you choose to repair the user profile on Windows 10, you’ll have to use the command line and Registry Editor to achieve that. You can also delete corrupt user profiles but that will require you to back up your files if you want to preserve them. It’s also possible to reset user your profile, and that involves creating a new one and moving all the files and settings to it.
For more similar solutions, check out our post on how to fix the signed-in with a temporary profile error in Windows 10/11. That would be all about how to fix a corrupted user profile in Windows 10. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, just write them down in the comments section, below.
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