Getting error message: We can't sign into your account ...


  1. Posts : 12
    W10
       #1

    Getting error message: We can't sign into your account ...


    Win 10 Version 1803 (OS Build 17134.472).

    Something happened to my other computer. This morning my Dell laptop took 15 mins to boot and the desktop is completely changed. I keep a lot of important documents on the desktop and these folders are all gone, there is only an Edge icon in the field and taskbar section.

    There is a big window that says "Welcome to the best Windows ever. Check out the features below to see what makes it great." [Yeah, right] And then there is a page of feeds, ads, etc, [I can "hide" the feed] and an error window that says:
    "We can't sign into your account. This problem can often be fixed by signing out of your account and then signing back in. If you don't sign out now, any files you create or changes you make will be lost."

    When I sign out it just does this long booting process again.

    When I click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar, it opens a window but all the folders there are empty. I have years of important documents on this computer that are not displayed. I have only been able to find them by using the Search window; then I can copy them to an external hard drive.

    Looking for help getting back to where this was yesterday, with all of my desktop and other folders showing and accessible and a stable system.

    When I ran winver it said Version 1803 (OS Build 17134.472).

    PS How can I delete this message and re-post it in General Support?
    Last edited by Squidward; 25 Dec 2018 at 21:17.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 30,117
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #2

    It shows you are 1803, any chance you were on 1709 last week?

    I'm wondering if this was a "Feature" update.

    When you do a search are your files being found down a path that includes a folder called windows.old ?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 12
    W10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I don't think it was on 1709 last week. The last restore point was for a critical update December 19, 2018-KB4483234

    When I find my files they are in a regular C:// path. I tried chkdsk and system restore.

    When the system boots it opens a "temporary account" that does not show my folders and there are no instructions for getting back to my existing account. It just says "We can't sign into your account..." There is also a window reading "Welcome to the best windows ever" containing feeds and links to set up a browser and check out features. Also a Cortana popup.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 30,117
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #4

    The Best windows ever message is likely because of the temp account, I thought it might have been the Feature update.

    I would look at getting all your files backed up as a first order of business. Since these are important files this is something that should be done regularly anyway, drives fail, it is just a matter of when.

    Are you using a Microsoft account to sign in or a local account? I would sign in to your Microsoft account online and make sure things are okay. you can do this at account.microsoft.com
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 12
    W10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks for this advice. I did copy everything and eventually created a new account. The computer was continually creating new temporary accounts. I copied everything onto an external hard drive and have been able to copy it back into the new account.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 30,117
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #6

    Please look into using Macrium Reflect. Free, reliable and member recommended. Restore from a system image can save time and grief. I do a system image once a month and keep my data data backed up regularly.


    Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect

    The tutorial is a little out of date but it will get you through.


    Ken
      My Computer


 

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