Weird issue of windows failing to log in

hobbs · 06 Apr 2018

So this is really odd and bothering me..
Eventually I am going to upgrade alot of my PC as it is way overdue, but I would like to think this is not hardware related.

My windows 10 has no user accounts, i deleted them all and enabled the hidden administrator account, which is all I use. It logs in automatically, bla bla. All that.

However! Recently when i turn my computer on, it logs into a mystery user account, a very default looking one. With the error "Windows 10 is unable to sign in, please sign out immediately and then sign back in".

The odd thing here is, its not signed into the admin account, nor do I have any guest or other accounts created.. so I have no idea what its signing into.

I sign out, it shows just my one Administrator account, and its fine..

But this happens every time i turn my PC on and its worrying me.

Anyone experienced similar?

Bree · 06 Apr 2018

hobbs said:

My windows 10 has no user accounts, i deleted them all and enabled the hidden administrator account, which is all I use.

That is a very bad idea. There is a good reason Microsoft hid the built-in Administrator account from Vista onwards. Using Administrator allows any malware you may pick up to run with full administrator rights and bypasses any UAC checks, this was the single biggest security flaw in XP.

Recently when i turn my computer on, it logs into a mystery user account, a very default looking one. With the error "Windows 10 is unable to sign in, please sign out immediately and then sign back in".

The odd thing here is, its not signed into the admin account, nor do I have any guest or other accounts created.. so I have no idea what its signing into... But this happens every time i turn my PC on and its worrying me...

And using Administrator all the time didn't worry you? (it should have done).

As you say you can sign out of this 'mystery user account' then presumably you are signed in and have a (very default looking) desktop. Click Start and hover the mouse over the user icon at the left. The name of the account should show in a text box. In this example my account is called 'Owner'.

hobbs · 06 Apr 2018

I have Malwarebytes premium, so it should be fine without UAC, I know it seems unwise, but its my connection is secure and I have added security everywhere needed.

There are no other accounts on the computer other than the administrator account, which I can edit like a normal account.

It still has a password attached to it. Its just when the computer powers down, and then back up, it logs into a somewhat temporary new account, like its vanilla set up with default desktop icons, but it shows a error saying Windows could not sign into the account correctly and needs to sign out. The error is a blue box over the default look desktop, but I am unable to use the desktop, I just have the option to sign out in the error dialogue.

I sign out, and it just shows the only account I have, which is the administrator account, but when I log in, everything is fine.

Surely if this was a virus I would have more issues or have detected it on any scans? Even boot scans are clean. It just seems odd.. I could do a wipe to be safe I guess..

Samuria · 06 Apr 2018

It always wise to have 2 accounts as if the profile gets corupt then your stuck

Bree · 06 Apr 2018

hobbs said:

...I know it seems unwise, but its my connection is secure and I have added security everywhere needed.

OK, it's your choice. I felt obliged to point out the dangers for others who may read this thread.

...it logs into a somewhat temporary new account, like its vanilla set up with default desktop icons, but it shows a error saying Windows could not sign into the account correctly and needs to sign out. The error is a blue box over the default look desktop, but I am unable to use the desktop, I just have the option to sign out in the error dialogue....

Does it look something like this?

If so, then you are probably being signed in to your (only) account as normal, but your profile can't be opened. The 'vanilla' desktop is a temporary profile. Usually you can dismiss this message and use the temporary profile. In your case it may be the fact that you are using Administrator that prevents that from happening. This tutorial (from which that screenshot came) may give some clues...

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

Bree · 06 Apr 2018

Samuria said:

It always wise to have 2 accounts as if the profile gets corupt then your stuck

Ditto to that! All my machines have a second local administrator account just for maintenance purposes - you never know when you may get locked out of your main one :)