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User missing after upgrade to Windows 8.1

Anonymous
2013-10-22T08:38:28+00:00

After the upgrade to Windows 8.1, my local user account is missing; its directory still exists under users. When trying to create a new local user with the same name, it creates a new separate directory under users (where I would like it to use the existing directory containing all my settings, etc.). I also cannot rename the directory under users of the missing local user (the option to rename is simply not available in the dropdown menu). The user I try to rename the directory and create the user has (presumably) administrator rights.

Does anyone have a good solution on how to get the local user account back into Windows 8.1?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Install and upgrade

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-11-29T03:12:02+00:00

    I fixed it by running this from an elevated cmd prompt i.e. run as administrator:

    net localgroup "Administrators" [Computer Name][Missing User] /add

    Basically, it seems that it wasn't visible because the missing user didn't belong to any group.  Add them to a group and it all comes back.  Very strange upgrade error, but easily fixable.

    You can see all the profiles at "View Advanced System Settings" under the "Advanced" Tab, clicking Settings under User Profiles.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-10-24T01:37:02+00:00

    I just upgraded and have the same issue.  My previous account is not available.  Also an IT professional & find it hard to believe that MS can not manage to retain a user account.  Very annoying and time consuming.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-10-23T05:26:08+00:00

    Hello Andre,

    Thanks for the quick and elaborate answer; unfortunately I have not been able to restore my missing user. The scan in method 1 ended with "Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.". The copy of second method failed, as Windows could not, or did not want to, copy certain directories from one directory to the other. Which resulted in Windows silently refusing to copy anything. I then tried to  copy files and directories one by one, but that ended up with a screwed up local account (if I login with it, I get an empty desktop and empty taskbar).

    I will try to copy back the files to the original directory and hopefully get Windows to use the old directory for the new local user. I hope to do this by renaming the old to new directory.

    Kind regards,

    Niels

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-10-23T00:23:48+00:00

    Same thing happened to me and not only did the local account disappear but so did all the files and settings.  I'm an IT professional and it's a joke that it forced a Windows Live user name and password during the installation which looks as if it deleted the account and the files. Wish I could help but I'm still restoring all my files.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-10-22T11:23:15+00:00

    I would recommend you to follow the methods below to resolve the issue:

    Method 1:

    Enable Built Admin account.

    a) Press Windows and x key together on your desktop screen.

    b) Click on Command Prompt (admin).

    c) Type: net user administrator /active: yes

    Note: Please follow the same steps and type net user administrator /active: no to disable admin account after the troubleshooting is done

    After enabling Built-in admin, please try with the steps below:

    Step 1:

    Perform SFC Scan

    Please follow the steps to perform SFC Scan:

    a. Press "Windows Key + Q" to open Charms Bar.

    b. Type "cmd" without quotes in the search box.

    c. On the left pane, right click on the "cmd" option and select "Run as Administrator".

    d. Type ‘sfc /scannow’ without quotes and hit enter.

    Note: It may ask for windows installation DVD to fix and to enable SFC to make more than minor repairs. Some files saved on your computer might get deleted when fixing corrupted files.

    Please restart your PC and check if you are able to log in to your Default Profile.

    Method 2:

    From Built in administrator account create a new user account and transfer the profile data.

    Please follow the steps below to do that:

    a) Press Windows and x together and select Windows Explorer.

    b) Click on View tab and Click on Options at the top right corner.

    c) Click the View tab, and then click Show hidden files, folders, and drives.

    d) Uncheck the box which states **Hide protected operating system files.**e) Click Yes to confirm, and then click OK.

    f) Locate the C:\Users\Old_Username folder, 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.

    g) Select all of the files and folders in this folder, except the following files:

    •Ntuser.dat•Ntuser.dat.log•Ntuser.ini

    h) Right click and Select Copy.

    i) Locate the C:\Users\New_Username folder, where C is the drive that Windows is installed on, and New Username is the name of the new user profile you created.

    j) Right click inside the folder and select Paste.

    k) Restart your PC and check if you are able to log in to default profile.

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