Trouble with User Accounts and Desktop Display

retexan599 · Nov 11, 2023

I have clumsily messed up my computer and not sure how to proceed.

I was trying to fix the problem noted in this thread:

"Open file location" or “Save image as” opens to Desktop folder instead of target folder.

One course of action was to see if a new user had the same problem. I created a 2nd user & verified that the problem did not occur with the 2nd user. Tried to migrate my account to the new user, but was unsuccessful. I removed the 2nd account from settings. However, that 2nd account is still shown in This PC and its Desktop is the one being displayed on my screen, instead of the original account Desktop. For a time, various folders appeared in both user accounts.

Along the way, we tried a repair install;

Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade Tutorial (post #159+)

However, that got messed up because the web site was downloading the ISO to the original download folder in the first account and was not visible on my desktop, so I mistakenly thought the ISO didn’t download; however, I subsequently found the ISO on the original user account via This PC. But never did the Repair Install.

I tried to get around the double user problem by going back to a restore point from before this mess began; however, I still have the two users (seen in This PC). The files I use are in the original user Desktop Folder (which I can only access via This PC).

I think what would help to backtrack is if I could get the original user Desktop to be what I see on my screen. I have considered simply deleting the 2nd user from this This PC. Then perhaps we could try the Repair Install again. Hoping this all doesn’t lead to doing a Clean Install, but that is on my mind.

Sorry for the mess. Any further thoughts would be appreciated.

Spunk · Nov 11, 2023

The User files are located in C:\Users\UserName (ie) Desktop, Downloads, Documents etc.
Move all the files from the 2nd account to the original account from one User Profile to the other in the Users folder.
If you are logged in as the Original profile account as an Administrator, you can Remove the 2nd account.
Go to Search and type sysdm.cpl and press Enter go to the Advanced Tab. Under User Profiles, click the Settings button
Select the User account you want to Delete and click the Delete button. Press OK. and Restart the computer. You cannot delete the profile you are logged in. Once logged in you should be back to your normal desktop. If there are issues you can then try a Repair Install.

glasskuter · Nov 11, 2023

Spunk said:
The User files are located in C:\Users\UserName (ie) Desktop, Downloads, Documents etc.

Not Necessarily so. If using a MS account, user folders (Desktop, Documents, Pictures) may be (and probably are)located in Onedrive as it is default location.

Spunk said:
Move all the files from the 2nd account to the original account from one User Profile to the other in the Users folder.

Respectfully I disagree with this. Moving files from one account to another can get you into a world of hurt with ownership & permission problems. It is best to COPY the files to eternal media. Login to new user and COPY files from external media into new user account

@retexan599
FYI a repair install deals with system files only. It does not fix issues in a user account.

The fact that Onedrive was not dealt with before you tried to migrate your account is probably why things are messed up in the first place..
I suggest you do the following.
Create a new LOCAL account. With a new Local account, you start with an out of box user account that is not tied to Onedrive. Then delete the MS account afterwards.

Here are steps as best as I can remember them.

FROM OLD ACCOUNT

1. AS a precaution, Turn off device encryption if it is currently on. If device encryption is not available on your device, turn off standard Bitlocker.
Turn On or Off Device Encryption in Windows 11 Tutorial

Turn Off BitLocker for Drive in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to turn off BitLocker for an encrypted drive in Windows 10 and Windows 11. BitLocker Drive Encryption is a data protection feature that integrates with the operating system and addresses the threats of data theft or exposure from lost, stolen, or inappropriately...

www.elevenforum.com

2. Create a new local account
Settings>Accounts>Scroll down and click on Other Users.
Select add account>select I don't have this person's signin information
In user name box name the account.
Very Important- Make the new user an administrator. To the right of the new user name click down arrow. Select Change account type.
Click arrow to right of standard user and select Administrator.

1. While still logged into old account COPY & PASTE (NOT MOVE) your files to an external hard drive or usb drive

2. unlink Onedrive. Unlink Account and PC from OneDrive in Windows 11 Tutorial

Restart computer.
On signin screen you will see 2 accounts. Select the NEW ACCOUNT name and it will ask you to set up a a password and password hints. Also answer all the other setup option questions.
Your new desktop will be created.
COPY and PASTE the files you saved to the external media into your new account.

Once everything is correct in new account, delete the old account. Settings>Accounts>Other Users>Click the down arrow next to your old account name and click Remove.

At any time you can change the new local account to a MS account if you wish, as well as turn on OneDrive Folder Backup Sync if you choose. If you want bitlocker on, you can do that too.

Also note, even once you unlink the PC from onedrive, your current files are still stored in Onedrive on the web until you remove them. Sign in - Microsoft OneDrive

retexan599 · Nov 11, 2023

Spunk said:
The User files are located in C:\Users\UserName (ie) Desktop, Downloads, Documents etc.
Move all the files from the 2nd account to the original account from one User Profile to the other in the Users folder.
If you are logged in as the Original profile account as an Administrator, you can Remove the 2nd account.
Go to Search and type sysdm.cpl and press Enter go to the Advanced Tab. Under User Profiles, click the Settings button
Select the User account you want to Delete and click the Delete button. Press OK. and Restart the computer. You cannot delete the profile you are logged in. Once logged in you should be back to your normal desktop. If there are issues you can then try a Repair Install.

Thanks. What I see is this:

The 2nd account is not shown in this list. The 2nd account has the name C:\Users\johnp.2023WINDOWS11 and is not in that list. I can see that 2nd account in This PC.

retexan599 · Nov 11, 2023

glasskuter said:
Not Necessarily so. If using a MS account, user folders (Desktop, Documents, Pictures) may be (and probably are)located in Onedrive as it is default location.

Respectfully I disagree with this. Moving files from one account to another can get you into a world of hurt with ownership & permission problems. It is best to COPY the files to eternal media. Login to new user and COPY files from external media into new user account

@retexan599
FYI a repair install deals with system files only. It does not fix issues in a user account.

The fact that Onedrive was not dealt with before you tried to migrate your account is probably why things are messed up in the first place..
I suggest you do the following.
Create a new LOCAL account. With a new Local account, you start with an out of box user account that is not tied to Onedrive. Then delete the MS account afterwards.

Here are steps as best as I can remember them.

FROM OLD ACCOUNT

1. AS a precaution, Turn off device encryption if it is currently on. If device encryption is not available on your device, turn off standard Bitlocker.
Turn On or Off Device Encryption in Windows 11 Tutorial

Turn Off BitLocker for Drive in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to turn off BitLocker for an encrypted drive in Windows 10 and Windows 11. BitLocker Drive Encryption is a data protection feature that integrates with the operating system and addresses the threats of data theft or exposure from lost, stolen, or inappropriately...

www.elevenforum.com

2. Create a new local account
Settings>Accounts>Scroll down and click on Other Users.
Select add account>select I don't have this person's signin information
In user name box name the account.
Very Important- Make the new user an administrator. To the right of the new user name click down arrow. Select Change account type.
Click arrow to right of standard user and select Administrator.

1. While still logged into old account COPY & PASTE (NOT MOVE) your files to an external hard drive or usb drive

2. unlink Onedrive. Unlink Account and PC from OneDrive in Windows 11 Tutorial

Restart computer.
On signin screen you will see 2 accounts. Select the NEW ACCOUNT name and it will ask you to set up a a password and password hints. Also answer all the other setup option questions.
Your new desktop will be created.
COPY and PASTE the files you saved to the external media into your new account.

Once everything is correct in new account, delete the old account. Settings>Accounts>Other Users>Click the down arrow next to your old account name and click Remove.

At any time you can change the new local account to a MS account if you wish, as well as turn on OneDrive Folder Backup Sync if you choose. If you want bitlocker on, you can do that too.

Also note, even once you unlink the PC from onedrive, your current files are still stored in Onedrive on the web until you remove them. Sign in - Microsoft OneDrive

I will look into this suggestion. However, for now, let me say that I had turned off Onedrive several months ago. It had been my policy to rely on Restore points and File History. Thanks.

Spunk · Nov 11, 2023

Your original User Profile johnp is no longer listed in the Active User Profiles, but the files are available still in that Folder in the User Folder.
Your Second Profile Account johnp2023Windows11 (2023Widnows11\johnp) is the only activated account.
It would take some Windows Registry Editing to fix your User Profile the way you want it.
The easiest thing to do at this point is to copy your User files from the two profiles and save them to a USB HDD, Then boot off of a Windows Installer USB and wipe the computer drive and do a Clean Install of Windows then restore the backup files.

retexan599 · Nov 12, 2023

glasskuter said:
Not Necessarily so. If using a MS account, user folders (Desktop, Documents, Pictures) may be (and probably are)located in Onedrive as it is default location.

Respectfully I disagree with this. Moving files from one account to another can get you into a world of hurt with ownership & permission problems. It is best to COPY the files to eternal media. Login to new user and COPY files from external media into new user account

@retexan599
FYI a repair install deals with system files only. It does not fix issues in a user account.

The fact that Onedrive was not dealt with before you tried to migrate your account is probably why things are messed up in the first place..
I suggest you do the following.
Create a new LOCAL account. With a new Local account, you start with an out of box user account that is not tied to Onedrive. Then delete the MS account afterwards.

Here are steps as best as I can remember them.

FROM OLD ACCOUNT

1. AS a precaution, Turn off device encryption if it is currently on. If device encryption is not available on your device, turn off standard Bitlocker.
Turn On or Off Device Encryption in Windows 11 Tutorial

Turn Off BitLocker for Drive in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to turn off BitLocker for an encrypted drive in Windows 10 and Windows 11. BitLocker Drive Encryption is a data protection feature that integrates with the operating system and addresses the threats of data theft or exposure from lost, stolen, or inappropriately...

www.elevenforum.com

2. Create a new local account
Settings>Accounts>Scroll down and click on Other Users.
Select add account>select I don't have this person's signin information
In user name box name the account.
Very Important- Make the new user an administrator. To the right of the new user name click down arrow. Select Change account type.
Click arrow to right of standard user and select Administrator.

1. While still logged into old account COPY & PASTE (NOT MOVE) your files to an external hard drive or usb drive

2. unlink Onedrive. Unlink Account and PC from OneDrive in Windows 11 Tutorial

Restart computer.
On signin screen you will see 2 accounts. Select the NEW ACCOUNT name and it will ask you to set up a a password and password hints. Also answer all the other setup option questions.
Your new desktop will be created.
COPY and PASTE the files you saved to the external media into your new account.

Once everything is correct in new account, delete the old account. Settings>Accounts>Other Users>Click the down arrow next to your old account name and click Remove.

At any time you can change the new local account to a MS account if you wish, as well as turn on OneDrive Folder Backup Sync if you choose. If you want bitlocker on, you can do that too.

Also note, even once you unlink the PC from onedrive, your current files are still stored in Onedrive on the web until you remove them. Sign in - Microsoft OneDrive

I have carried out your procedure and it has worked out as you suggested. I now have a new (proper) Desktop with the folders, shortcuts, and links from my original user account. I have deleted the original user account in Settings. And with the new Desktop, my original problem of not finding the right target for 'Open file location' now finds the right target. Your suggestion was very helpful. I have some cleaning up to do, but pretty much back to where I was originally. Thanks again.