Fix You've been signed in with a temporary profile in Windows 10

Brink · 20 Mar 2017

d80adc said:

OK so the situation I now have is this:

I'm still getting the temp profile notification when I log in.

whoami /user reveals the temp user SID = 1001

I have the following entries in the ProfileList

1001 = C:\Users\TEMP.DESKTOP
1001.bak = C:\Users\(Username)

Both are the same as the SID above

Where do i go from here?

Normally, you could use step 12.

If the original "C:\Users\(Username)" folder is no longer there, then of course you won't be able to use it's reference in the registry in step 12. In this situation, all you can do is delete both SID (1001 & 1001.bak) keys to have a new profile folder created for the account. This will have the account start over like a new account. If this account is a Microsoft account, then most of the settings would sync back (if left turned on). This won't help with any missing files in the original "C:\Users\(Username)" folder though.

TJA · 03 Apr 2017

Hi, I also have the sign-in problem of being signed in as a temp user. In reading through your thread, I have an initial question - I don't know whether my account is standard user, administrator, or if I need the built-in admin. After that point, I think I understand how to do the rest of the things you have listed. Hoping you can guide me as I so desperately need my user account back! I should say I also have QuickBooks that I'm nearly in tears about not being able to access!

Brink · 03 Apr 2017

Hello @TJA, and welcome to Ten Forums. :)

The tutorial below will help you to determine if your account is a standard user or administrator.

Determine Account Type in Windows 10 - Windows 10 User Accounts Tutorials

TJA · 03 Apr 2017

Perfect, thank you. My account says its a Local Account and Administrator.

So since I can't sign in to my Administrator account, should I next go into safe mode and enable the built-in adm. as you describe?

I have another problem too. Somewhere in the process of trying to fix this yesterday, I think I messed up and now my user account (TJA) is not listed under c:\users anymore. Can I continue on with your tutorial or do I need to find my user account and put it back in c:\users first ?

Brink · 03 Apr 2017

If you're signed in to a temp profile of your account, you can use it to do the steps from since it's an admin account.

Yeah, you will need to find your "C:\Users\TJA" folder first since that is the folder path you want to restore.

TJA · 03 Apr 2017

I found TJA folder in windows.old. It's dated Sept 2016 and has nothing in it. I moved it to c:\users just so I can get it to the right place. I have the data backed up that belongs in it, so I'm not overly worried that it's empty, but I do hope somehow I can get the documents and pictures back... So am I set to move on to your next step of opening the Registry Editor?

Brink · 03 Apr 2017

I'm not optimistic about it working for a copied over user profile folder.

As long as you have your files (music, documents, etc...), you could copy them back into a new profile folder if needed.

TJA · 03 Apr 2017

All of my documents were there yesterday when this problem began, so I copied them onto a flash drive. So I'll do whatever you think will give me the best chance of logging in as myself again, rather than a temp user.

Brink · 03 Apr 2017

I'm glad you have a backup.

Since your original profile folder is no longer there. You can set to use a new profile folder. Once you are signing in properly using the new profile folder path, you can copy your files back into the new profile folder.

TJA · 03 Apr 2017

So considering my current situation, what is the best way to set up a new profile folder? Sorry, it's a little confusing to me because I'm still listed in the control panel as TJA.