How to rebuild my user profile

So here's the deal. I've been having some issues with Windows 10 previously and now on Windows 11 that's been going on for literally a few years. I've gotten to the point that I think a new user profile might fix my issues. My thought is that some User Registry entries might be the cause and a new profile will start with 'clean' Reg entries. But as you know a new profile will leave me with basically a bare bones system. All the 'stuff' I have in my current user profile will be gone. Probably the most important thing to be missing is the many programs I installed under my current profile. I do not want to reinstall them all over again.

Is there a way I can create a new profile along with it's new Reg entries and then copy my now 'old' profile over to it so I have a fully functional system but with new Registry entries? If this is possible I would probably need to rename my new profile the name of my 'old' profile as many things might be dependent on it?

Thanks.

Have you tried repair upgrade? That way you will loose nothing and it might fix your profile.
Otherwise it is all or nothing. Even the new profile will not guarantee a working Windows.
Copying stuff from the old one can corrupt the new one. It is better to start from the scratch.
If you sync your Windows settings, it might help to transfer some of them to the new account.

I tried repair upgrade multiple times under Windows 10 and Windows 11. It didn't fix my problem. I was hoping going to Windows 11 would fix it but alas no. I used Windows Update to go to 11. I am guessing that going to Windows 11 through Windows Update kept my profile intact which means the problem was carried over. I do not want to do a clean install. There is too much work involved to get back to where I would want it.

BTW. My problem is that the text size in just about everything will randomly change between what I call small text and large text. It has nothing to do with fonts, DPI, etc. The exception are Windows apps. The font, dpi values always remain the same no matter what size the text is. The difference between sizes is not even 1 point, but I can see the difference.

To make a new user account:
Go to settings-accounts-family & other users. Make a new user account. (Be sure to make it an administrative account, NOT a standard account)

NOTE: You cannot copy or move files directly from one user profile to another without running into permission problems. You can get all your personal files into the new account in 2 different ways.

Option 1 - COPY the personal files in your current user profile to another location (ie: usb drive), and then copy them again into your new user account.
Option 2 - copy the files from your current account to the Public user account. Then sign in to the new account your created and copy the files from the Public user to the new account. Then delete the files from the Public account profile.

It's a pain in the rear, but it is what it is. When you get the new user account like you want it, delete your old user account. If you currently use a Microsoft account, you can change the new user account to a Microsoft account after the old account is deleted.

For Windows 10 this tutorial was created for those with a corrupted user profile.

If you make a backup image and / or backup the registry you may be able to test drive for Windows 11.

I'm working on a Win10 now for a client where a second user was established but with the exact same name as the original user. The new user doesn't show in Accounts nor does it show in C:\Users, appears to all be merged into the first, might lose too much if removing one so will haves to advise the client best to start over 'just in case'. Or in other words, any adding of a user should have a distinctly different name even if only by one character.

Berton said:

I'm working on a Win10 now for a client where a second user was established but with the exact same name as the original user. The new user doesn't show in Accounts nor does it show in C:\Users, appears to all be merged into the first, might lose too much if removing one so will haves to advise the client best to start over 'just in case'. Or in other words, any adding of a user should have a distinctly different name even if only by one character.

Click to expand...

Could you create a new user with a different name? Then after making any changes need delete the old users account and then recreate it.

I'm giving that serious consideration but due to his COVID haven't had a chance to meet up with the client.

streetwolf said:

So here's the deal. I've been having some issues with Windows 10 previously and now on Windows 11 that's been going on for literally a few years. I've gotten to the point that I think a new user profile might fix my issues. My thought is that some User Registry entries might be the cause and a new profile will start with 'clean' Reg entries. But as you know a new profile will leave me with basically a bare bones system. All the 'stuff' I have in my current user profile will be gone. Probably the most important thing to be missing is the many programs I installed under my current profile. I do not want to reinstall them all over again.

Is there a way I can create a new profile along with it's new Reg entries and then copy my now 'old' profile over to it so I have a fully functional system but with new Registry entries? If this is possible I would probably need to rename my new profile the name of my 'old' profile as many things might be dependent on it?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

You do not lose your programs or need to reinstall them

streetwolf said:

I've been having some issues with Windows 10 previously and now on Windows 11 that's been going on for literally a few years.

Click to expand...

I would have gone for a fresh start long back. Having to live with a problem for such a long time is far more painful that spending a few hours setting up the system fresh.