Lost windows user account

Briefly, after the latest windows update when the computer restarted, I logged in and everything was missing. It was a fresh account under the same name, and even activated the intro that Windows 10 does when it first installs. I've tried switching between a Microsoft and local account, as well as remaking the account, didn't work. At present C:\Users still lists the files from my old account under its name, but said account is neither in Local Users and Groups or regedit's profile list.

I would appreciate either advice on recovering my account, or a way to move over the settings from it en masse given the files are still there even if the account is not.

Edit: Managed a workaround by directing a new profile to use the original profile's folder through regedit. I'm so relieved I can barely describe it.

Temet Nosce said:

Briefly, after the latest windows update when the computer restarted, I logged in and everything was missing. It was a fresh account under the same name, and even activated the intro that Windows 10 does when it first installs. I've tried switching between a Microsoft and local account, as well as remaking the account, didn't work. At present C:\Users still lists the files from my old account under its name, but said account is neither in Local Users and Groups or regedit's profile list.

I would appreciate either advice on recovering my account, or a way to move over the settings from it en masse given the files are still there even if the account is not.

Edit: Managed a workaround by directing a new profile to use the original profile's folder through regedit. I'm so relieved I can barely describe it.

Hi Temet Nosce and welcome to Tenforums.
You wouldn't, by any chance, have Avast AV on there would you?
I saw this happen once when a system updated to Anniversary Update. It seemed to be some unfinished business that Avast couldn't complete because Fast Startup was turned on. I turned it off, and gave the system a few shutdowns/restarts, and it eventually cleared itself back to normal (but it was touch and go for a bit).
Turn On or Off Fast Startup in Windows 10 Performance Maintenance Tutorials

.

Temet Nosce said:

Thanks, and no, I use Kaspersky. Albeit I should probably change given recent revelations about them. Fast Startup is indeed on however.

I see you've marked the thread as solved. Did the Fast Startup change fix things?

Temet Nosce said:

No, it was the change in regedit to move a new account to use the old accounts C:\Users file.

Got it.