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“We can’t sign into your account” Windows 11

Anonymous
2022-01-20T07:20:03+00:00

I just got a new HP Spectre x360 13. I’ve only had it for a few weeks. I started noticing some fuzziness occurring randomly when I would write with the touchscreen. I brought up the task manager and it also glitched so I figured there was a deeper issue.

My solution was to download and install all 3 of the optional updates that had something to do with drivers? The updates went fairly quickly but when it came to sign into the device, it seemed stuck on the “Preparing Windows” screen. I made the crucial mistake of powering off and powering on the device and the first thing I see is something about windows not shutting down properly. When I sign in again, I wait patiently for the “Preparing Windows” screen to resolve itself and once I get in I realize this is not my account. This is a temporary account with nothing on the screen. No task bar, no apps, no files. Just the recycling bin and Microsoft Edge.

I have tried restarting the device multiple times, in both safe mode and normal mode. I have tried some cmd work, one having to do with the registry and another on this forum from 2016. I have tried the majority of the solutions available on google that are possible in my current situation. Granted, I’m a bit limited without a taskbar and the windows key only works for some shortcuts.

I’m sure I’m missing something but I feel I’ve exhausted all my options.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-01-20T07:59:35+00:00

    Hi YJ. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

    TSome times if the User account gets corrupted and cannot start, Windows will sign into a temporary account. A Temp Account cannot be used as a normal account so do not set it up or copy files into it because at any restart it might decide to start into your old Account. I'll give you everything that can be done to repair or replace your account, based on helping others get through it.

    1. Try restarting the PC a few times to see if it can sign into your account.
    2. Check at C:\Users if you can see your old account with its files intact. If not check at C:\Windows.old to see if files were archived there during a version install that fails.

    If so copy the files out externally so they are safe. Files should always be backed up if you value them at all. You can copy or drag them to an external USB flash or hard drive.

    1. From the temp account try to repair the old account using one of these methods:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win...

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/48012-fix-y...

    https://winaero.com/blog/windows-10-youve-been-...

    https://www.thewindowsclub.com/corrupted-user-p... (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro ad)

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix...

    1. If not then you can try to create a new Local Administrator Account to see how it works: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for....

    https://www.windowscentral.com/how-change-user-...

    1. If you cannot create a new account then to do this enable the built-in hidden Administrator used in emergencies like this, following Option Five here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2969-enable...

    This requires accessing the Command Prompt using bootable media which is the only method that doesn't require a password. If you don't want to do that then you can try now to Reset Windows 10 from the Sign in Screen as shown in this video:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zonjyd2L_GQ

    1. To proceed to replace or repair the old account go to another PC to create bootable media following the steps toward the bottom of the download page here in the section "Using the tool to create installation media:"

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/software-downlo... Uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

    Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

    If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first.

    Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on second screen choose Repair Your Computer, then Advanced Troubleshoot Options to open Command Prompt to enable the built-in Hidden Administrator following https://www.isumsoft.com/it/enable-hidden-admin...

    1. Sign into the now unhidden built-in Administrator account leaving password box blank, then create a new Local Admin account to replace yours:

    https://www.isumsoft.com/windows-10/3-ways-to-c...

    http://www.windowscentral.com/how-change-user-a...

    1. Sign into the new account, test it works and resolves the problem(s), if so you can move your files over at C:\Users.
    2. You can also try to repair the old Account by running a Repair Install by running the media you created earlier from Windows as shown here: https://www.yourwindowsguide.com/2016/06/how-to.... This reinstalls Windows while saving your files and apps in place; takes about an hour, resolves most problems. It also brings it to the latest version by the most stable method.
    3. If it doesn't fix the old account, when ready you can delete the old account by one of these methods:

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5464-delete...

    1. Then if desired change it to a MS Account: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5375-switch...
    2. And if all that fails from bootable media choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof.

    Everything needed to get the best possible Clean Install is here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.... It is a better install than any amount of money can buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC because you will learn what works best and how to apply it with your own hands.

    If you have files that aren't backed up you can use the same bootable media to try to rescue your files using these methods: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you will wait to choose if I solved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

    ________________________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-01-21T03:01:42+00:00

    Hi again -

    I'm really glad to hear it's worked out for you and you're back up and running.

    If any further problems you can contact me here. I'll stay subscribed to this thread until the system locks it in a few months, or you can always ask for me.

    If there's instability or other problems, you can go over Windows using this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_10-performance/windows-10-performance-and-install-integrity/75529fd4-fac7-4653-893a-dd8cd4b4db00

    Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

    For HP I'd run HP Support Assistant regularly to let it update your newer drivers and firmware which is critical for good performance. If it ever stops running you can reinstall it from here: HP PCs - How to Download, Install, and Use HP Support Assistant (Windows) | HP® Customer Support

    You can also manually check for the latest drivers and UEFI firmware on the HP driver downloads page for you exact model here: HP Spectre x360 - 13-4013dx (ENERGY STAR) Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Customer Support

    Make sure it's the correct model extension number or search from the link there for the correct one, let it auto-update or compare your installed drivers in Device manager with the ones queued for download to always have the latest.

    If you suspect hardware problems HP has a full set of hardware diagnostics built into the BIOS which you can run by pressing the ESC key while powering on the PC:

    HP PC Hardware Diagnostics HP® Official Site

    I hope it helps. I'm here to help if needed.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-01-21T02:09:42+00:00

    Hi Greg,

    Thank you so much for this detailed response! I went through all the links in step 3 and attempted each one. Every now and then my screen would go completely black and I’d have to restart which was discouraging :( However, that last link that went over the Microsoft Management Console with the Local Users and Groups got me into a new account WITH a taskbar which felt like a huge win!

    In the end, I took the easy way out and factory reset my laptop. I have an exam in a few days and I really needed my laptop to function properly as fast as possible. I got it about 2 weeks ago so I don’t have any crucial files on here that need to be saved. There were some personal effects but nothing I didn’t mind sacrificing. I don’t know if this will fix my previous fuzziness issue or the file corruption issue but for now, things are working.

    This was quite the learning experience! Through this process, I learned my user profile was indeed corrupted although I’m not sure how…I learned how to use Run for everything, I learned that the Microsoft Community is a very valuable resource.

    I have to thank you again for the service you provide. All the links and instructions were very helpful. I will definitely be posting here again when another issue inevitably arises and I hope you’ll be around :)

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