Urgent help: Did I break my system?

helphelphelp · 30 May 2018

Hi,
I wanted to change my user account name cause it sounded ridiculous. I could not find an option in the Control Panel so I followed the 4th method under this link: Change User Name of Account in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

In short I did Win+R, netplwiz, clicked on my account there and changed its name.

I only had 1 account listed in netplwiz. I renamed it. But when I clicked "OK", the entry disappeared. The field is empty now. I cannot click on "Add.." to create a new one, it is not greyed out but nothing happens when I click it.

I cannot access Control Panel or Settings anymore. I get the error: No mappings between account name and security IDs was done.

Did I fk up my computer? Is there any fix? I tried to change my account name back but I don't know how. I'm panicking and scared to close my computer, because I am scared to be locked out of everything

dalchina · 30 May 2018

You should be able to use system restore to get back to where you were, assuming you had it enabled and a recent restore point.

You can access that via SHIFT left click restart and navigate thru the prompts, or by booting from a Win 10 boot medium and 'Repair your computer'.

Another option might be to restore your registry backup.

And do you maintain a set of disk images as we constantly recommend? E.g. using Macrium Reflect (free)?

helphelphelp · 30 May 2018

Is there no other way to undo the name change? I don\t have system restore enabled.

Bree · 30 May 2018

helphelphelp said:

..I followed the 4th method under this link: Change User Name of Account in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
...I only had 1 account listed in netplwiz. I renamed it. But when I clicked "OK", the entry disappeared. The field is empty now. I cannot click on "Add.." to create a new one, it is not greyed out but nothing happens when I click it...

Did you take the last step in Option Four? You have to sign out and back in again for the changes to take effect.

6. If you are currently signed in to this local account, click/tap on Yes to sign out and apply your changes.

helphelphelp · 30 May 2018

Oh you are right! My PC actually crashed when I tried to backup my documents to an external drive, so I unplugged it and restarted. Luckily I could log back in and now I can access all settings again, it seems! Thanks for the obvious answer.

Bree · 30 May 2018