How To Fix a Corrupted User Profile in Windows 10

What exactly is the corrupted user profile problem in Windows 10?

If you have recently switched to Windows 10, another typical issue you may encounter is a "corrupted user profile." If the user profile is faulty or absent, you may see an error message. Although your data and apps remain in the user account, you may face this owing to the particular circumstances detailed below. Because Windows 10 is closely linked to the Microsoft account and user profile, user profile corruption might cause serious problems.

Causes of the corrupted user profile issue in Windows 10

So, why and how do user profile corruptions occur? There are certain possible root causes, as follows:

Missing or corrupted user profile: If your PC's user profile is corrupted or missing during a Windows manual or automated update, an unsuccessful attempt will result in this message.

Compromised file system integrity: The hard drive might be damaged due to power outages or virus infestations, resulting in poor loading or an erroneous starting procedure, which causes this error.

Registry Key corruption: A damaged registry key in a user profile might cause the profile to become unreachable.

Active Directory corruption: If the active directory of your system user account is damaged or missing, it's highly possible to meet corrupted user profile problem.

Symptoms of a Corrupted User Profile on Windows 10

Symptom1. A temporary profile appears on the starting screen with the error message "User profile cannot be loaded".

Symptom 2: Due to user profile corruption, you will be unable to load the system, and in the worst-case scenario, you may experience unsuccessful attempts during the Windows 10 login.

Symptom 3: The user profile is locked out and repeatedly disappears from the user files.

Fixes of How to Repair the User Profile in Windows 10/8/7

If you received an error notice indicating that your user profile is corrupted, you may fix a corrupted user profile in Windows 10 using the most efficient options listed below. They may be used with Windows 8.1, 8, and 7.

Solution 1: Use Windows Registry

The first method for repairing a damaged user profile on Windows 10 is to use the Windows Registry.

1. Make sure you perform it correctly, because a botched effort may result in the loss of vital data. In the search box, type regedit to open the Windows Registry Editor window.

2. Enter "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList" after launching the program. On the following page, click the S-1-5 folder, then double-click the ProfileImagePath item.

3. If you have determined the corrupted user profile (no a. bak ending), double-click the RefCountfactor, change the value to 0 and hit the OK button. 

4. uble-click on the State option to ensure that the value is 0. Then, execute “OK > Close Registry Editor > Restart PC.”

Solution 2: Create/Recreate a new user profile

A reliable option to fix a corrupted user profile issue on Windows 10 is to create a new user profile and copy its contents or files from the current user account. To create a new user profile, follow the below steps:

1. Power on your computer and enter into the safe mode.

2. Now, right-click on the start option, and tap the “Command prompt (Admin).”

3. Enter the command net user administrator /active: yes, and press Enter.

4. Once you get the “Command completed successfully message,” reboot the computer.

5. As the admin account is active, you can now create the new account by executing “Windows Key + I > Accounts > Family and Other People > Add someone else to this computer.”

Solution 3: Run Windows 10 Profile Repair using SFC Scan and DISM

Your files can get corrupted for a variety of causes, and to resolve the issue, you must run an SFC scan. Some people claim that running an SFC scan is all it takes to fix a corrupt user profile.

To fix a corrupted user profile, perform an SFC scan and DISM.

Step 1. To open the Command Prompt, press the Windows + X keys simultaneously. Select "Command Prompt((Admin)" from the list.

Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, type sfc/scannow and hit "enter".

Do not give up the Command Prompt fix if the SFC scan failed, let's continue with DISM scan instead.

Step 3. Start Command Prompt as an administrator in the same way.

Step 4. Type the command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press "enter".

Then, you can restart your PC, to see if you have solved your problem.

Solution 5: Install the most recent Windows 10 updates to repair user profiles.

Step 1: To open the Settings app, press the Windows + I keys simultaneously.

Step 2: Click "Update & Security".

Step 3: Under the "Update" status, select "Check for updates" to see if your device is up to current. If a new update is available, Windows will install it automatically.

Tips for dealing with a corrupted user profile on Windows 10

The following instructions will help you fix a corrupted user profile on Windows 10 and avoid similar situations.

Install a handy antivirus application

Because malware infection is one cause of such user profile damage, you must use a reliable antivirus tool.

Be cautious

Because rendering the user registry is another solution to mistake repair, you must exercise caution before running it. You may skip doing your registry repair and instead use software services.

Create an up-to-date backup

There is a substantial risk of data loss if the user profile corruption is caused by Windows Registry Hive. To save crucial or essential data, create an up-to-date backup of all files.

Periodic drive checks

Another probable cause of the user profile is read-write activities and power outages. As a result, you should check the driver software regularly to resolve any difficulties that arise.

To sum up

While technical problem signals may appear tough to decipher, there are several strategies to resolve them. Today, we covered the corrupted user profile issue on Windows 10 in depth, including its causes, symptoms, solutions, and suggestions. Now that you've learned how to fix a damaged user profile on Windows 10, put it into practice and write down the information to permanently remove the mistake.