Windows 8.1 Cannot create new user - "Add an account" does nothing

Hello,

Thank you for your response. I appreciate your time.

I would suggest you to Refresh the operating system and check.

How to restore, refresh, or reset your PC

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc

Important Note: Apps you installed from websites and DVDs will be removed. Apps that came with your PC and apps you installed from the Windows Store will be reinstalled. Windows puts a list of removed apps on your desktop after refreshing your PC.

Sincerely,

Ankit Rajput

Method 1: no change after clean boot

Method 2: SFC says "There is a system repair pending which requires reboot to complete."  (note that this is AFTER I rebooted).

Method 3: Made administrator active, but cannot login because someone (apparently the vendor) set a password.

By the way my own account; the one that I normally log in with, is admin level account.

Hello,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

As per description, you are unable to create new user account.

I would appreciate if you can provide us the following information to help us understand the issue better:

1. Have you recently made any changes on your computer, prior to the issue?
2. Do you have any third party anti-virus/security software installed on your computer?
3. Have you recently installed any Windows Update?

I would suggest you to follow the methods given below and check.

Method 1.

Placing your system in Clean Boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue. Check this issue in clean boot state.

Refer: How to perform a clean boot in Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: After clean boot troubleshooting step, follow the section "How to reset the computer to start as usual after troubleshooting with clean boot" in the provided link to return your computer to Normal startup mode.

If issue still persists try method 2,

Method 2: System File Checker.

You may run the system file checker tool and check if it helps. SFC scan will scan for the corrupted system files on the computer. You may refer to the following article in order to use System File Checker tool appropriately.

Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833/en-us

If issue didn't get resolve try method 3,

Method 3:

Let's try creating a new administrator account within the Built-in admin account and check if it resolves the issue.

You need to run the command from an elevated command prompt. Follow the steps:

a. Press the Windows key to get into the modern interface if you are not already there.

b. Entercmd and right-click on the Command Prompt result that should appear.

c. This opens a list of options at the bottom. Select Run as administrator there.

d. Accept the UAC prompt

Enter the following command to enable the hidden administrator account:

net user administrator /active:yes

Note: Disable the account by running the following command after troubleshooting the issue:

net user administrator /active:no

Once you have enabled the account, you will see it listed in the user accounts control panel applet. Note that the account has not assigned a password to it, and that you should consider setting one to improve account security. If you do not find the administrator account in the login screen, you may reply back with the status.

Also refer:http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/user-accounts-frequently-asked-questions

If you are able to successfully login to Built-in admin, try to create another new Administrator user account and check if you are able to see it in the login screen.

Hope this information helps. Reply with the status so that we could help you further.