Solved After deleting User Manager

My Windows 11 laptop (Acer Nitro 5) was for some reason using 100% memory and CPU.
Opening the Task Manager I discovered that it was caused by some Windows component called 'User Manager', so every time I used the PC I made a habit of turning off that task.
But then, today, I did something foolish. I entered:
hkey_local_machine > system > CurrentControlSet > services > User Manager

...and deleted it.
Now, when I turn on the PC it shows my user name and photo but I can't login. There is no password prompt anymore.
I have tried to open BIOS - but that didn't help - and I have tried, when the user name showed, to click all sorts of combinations on the keyboard. Didn't help.

Have I ruined my Windows 11 PC? Can I rescue it somehow, or do I have to reinstall?
Thank you.

You haven't ruined the computer but the Operating System is a different story. In a case like described I use a Linux LiveDVD created from a downloaded file on a different computer and boot to it to first save any data/files that exist nowhere else. Then I'd download the MCT/Media Creation Tool from Microsoft to get either an .iso file used to create a bootable DVD for reinstall/repair or if no ODD create a bootable 8GB USB thumb drive to reinstall/repair.
www.distrowatch.org for a Linux download

There are a number of things you can do. Recovery options in Windows

1. Use recovery media and attempt a system restore. If it works, this would be the simplest method.

2. If you're adventurous, you can load the registry hive offline using installation media and rebuild the key you deleted. The key you deleted is quite complex.

3. Do as Berton said and clean install.

I am attaching a .reg file of the key you deleted. You can open it using notepad after you unzip it.

During the past week z3r010 has given away free software to make backup images.

After the repair please make backup images.

See if he has any extra software:



If not then use Macrium:




To fix the immediate problem you may be able to use a restore point.

However you've mentioned that there were already performance problems.

So test the disk drive and if Ok then perform a reset save files, custom install, or clean install.

Sea Tools Bootable Long Generic Test:
Post images or share links using one drive, drop box, or google drive.


The reset save files and custom install will allow you to backup important files using Windows.

All three methods require the reinstallation of drivers and applications.

Friends, thank you!
A boot to Advanced Startup from the Start Scren followed by a System Restore saved my PC and I am now able to log in again.
Now the problem with the User Manager taking up 100% CPU is still a problem. After logging in I can use Task Manager to end the User Manager process, but there must be some other way to deal with it (and not, as I foolishly did, delete it completely)?

Please perform the following steps:

1) Run the V2 log collector and upload results or post a share link into this thread

2) Run Hard Disk Sentinel (free or trial version)
Post images or share links for results on these tabs:
a) Overview
b) Temperature
c) SMART

3) Run Sea Tools for Windows long generic test > post images or share links into this thread


For share links please use one drive, drop box, or google drive.

crjensen said:

Friends, thank you!
A boot to Advanced Startup from the Start Scren followed by a System Restore saved my PC and I am now able to log in again.
Now the problem with the User Manager taking up 100% CPU is still a problem. After logging in I can use Task Manager to end the User Manager process, but there must be some other way to deal with it (and not, as I foolishly did, delete it completely)?

Click to expand...

You could try stopping "User Manager" from running and not deleting it. If you care to try that as a solution, run "services" and from the ensuing list select "User Manager", if it is listed, and right click the entry select "Properties" and select "Stop".

Just a point of curiosity, do you know what "User Manager" does? I tried a web search and didn't see any meaningful results.

zbook said:

Please perform the following steps:

1) Run the V2 log collector and upload results or post a share link into this thread

V2 Log Collector

V2 Log collector for collecting files to diagnose Windows 10+ BSOD problems. https://www.elevenforum.com/resources/v2-log-collector.1/download

www.elevenforum.com

2) Run Hard Disk Sentinel (free or trial version)

Hard Disk Sentinel - HDD health and temperature monitoring

Monitoring hard disk health and temperature. Test and repair HDD problems, predict disk failure.

www.hdsentinel.com

Post images or share links for results on these tabs:
a) Overview
b) Temperature
c) SMART

3) Run Sea Tools for Windows long generic test > post images or share links into this thread

SeaTools | Support Seagate US

SeaTools - Quick diagnostic tool that checks the health of your drive.

www.seagate.com

For share links please use one drive, drop box, or google drive.

Click to expand...

zbook, thank you, here are the results. This is a link to a folder on my OneDrive:

crjensen said:

100% CPU is still a problem

Click to expand...

I would try to use the process of elimination to find why you have 100% cpu. It's possible an app on your system uses usermanager.
Try a clean boot. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial

glasskuter said:

I would try to use the process of elimination to find why you have 100% cpu. It's possible an app on your system uses usermanager.
Try a clean boot. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial

Click to expand...

glasskuter, that - very simple - process solved the problem! Thank you!

crjensen said:

solved the problem

Click to expand...

I'm glad. If you would, post what fixed it for you and close the thread.

What solved this?
A system restore (Windows 11) and a Clean Boot which revealed the app that caused the initial problem (100% CPU usage).

The V2 log collector had only collected a few log files and was likely blocked by AVG.
If there are any recurrent or future problems then uninstall AVG before running V2.

Glad to read that it's fixed.

Consider making free backup images.