Experience with Account Profile Fixer 1.7.0.0

mb300e · 29 Aug 2022

Hello,
I am having trouble with my Win 10 Pro (21H1 OS Build 19043.1889) User accounts on my laptop. They were messed up when the machine came back from the VAIO Techs after a hardware fix. The Techs will not tell me what they did.
I cannot find a way to fix the accounts, but I did find a download for "Account Profile Fixer 1.7.0.0" and have downloaded it but have not tried it yet.
Does anyone have any experience with this "Fixer" good, bad, or otherwise?
Thanks in advance.

PS, here is what "wmic useraccount list full" shows:

C:\Windows\System32>wmic useraccount list full

AccountType=512
Description=Built-in account for administering the computer/domain
Disabled=FALSE
Domain=VAIO%%%%
FullName=
InstallDate=
LocalAccount=TRUE
Lockout=FALSE
Name=Administrator
PasswordChangeable=TRUE
PasswordExpires=FALSE
PasswordRequired=TRUE
SID=S-1-5-21-2824831772-478483803-1169853457-500
SIDType=1
Status=OK

AccountType=512
Description=A user account managed by the system.
Disabled=TRUE
Domain=VAIO%%%%
FullName=
InstallDate=
LocalAccount=TRUE
Lockout=FALSE
Name=DefaultAccount
PasswordChangeable=TRUE
PasswordExpires=FALSE
PasswordRequired=FALSE
SID=S-1-5-21-2824831772-478483803-1169853457-503
SIDType=1
Status=Degraded

AccountType=512
Description=Built-in account for guest access to the computer/domain
Disabled=FALSE
Domain=VAIO%%%%
FullName=
InstallDate=
LocalAccount=TRUE
Lockout=FALSE
Name=Guest
PasswordChangeable=FALSE
PasswordExpires=FALSE
PasswordRequired=FALSE
SID=S-1-5-21-2824831772-478483803-1169853457-501
SIDType=1
Status=OK

AccountType=512
Description=
Disabled=FALSE
Domain=VAIO%%%%
FullName=VAIO%%%%
InstallDate=
LocalAccount=TRUE
Lockout=FALSE
Name=VAIO%%
PasswordChangeable=TRUE
PasswordExpires=FALSE
PasswordRequired=FALSE
SID=S-1-5-21-2824831772-478483803-1169853457-1001
SIDType=1
Status=OK

AccountType=512
Description=A user account managed and used by the system for Windows Defender Application Guard scenarios.
Disabled=TRUE
Domain=VAIO%%%%
FullName=
InstallDate=
LocalAccount=TRUE
Lockout=FALSE
Name=WDAGUtilityAccount
PasswordChangeable=TRUE
PasswordExpires=TRUE
PasswordRequired=TRUE
SID=S-1-5-21-2824831772-478483803-1169853457-504
SIDType=1
Status=Degraded

dalchina · 29 Aug 2022

Hi, the one here? (you didn't provide a link, alas)
Carifred - Windows software

That one has been used a couple of times.. essentially it creates a blank new user account, then migrates the old one to it.

Therefore the outcome depends on what's been done and what issues you notice.

I suggest you create a full disk image of your existing Windows installation (you do use disk imaging I hope.. e.g. Macrium Reflect -free/paid- to large enough external storage) then try it.

Of course, if you have a disk image created before you gave the PC to the repair shop, you can simply restore that image... no tech help needed.

Callender · 29 Aug 2022

I've used it several times. One thing to note is that it will convert a microsoft account to a local account.

Then depending on the options chosen it's wise to have a backup of all %AppData% folders that you can copy back after the fix.

dalchina · 29 Aug 2022

Just out of curiosity- what kind of problems did it help with? Thanks.

mb300e · 29 Aug 2022

dalchina said:

Hi, the one here? (you didn't provide a link, alas)
Carifred - Windows software
That one has been used a couple of times.. essentially it creates a blank new user account, then migrates the old one to it.
Therefore the outcome depends on what's been done and what issues you notice.
I suggest you create a full disk image of your existing Windows installation (you do use disk imaging I hope.. e.g. Macrium Reflect -free/paid- to large enough external storage) then try it.
Of course, if you have a disk image created before you gave the PC to the repair shop, you can simply restore that image... no tech help needed.

That looks like it I found it on the MajorGeeks site.
I do use Macrium 8 paid version, it takes a bit of getting used to, but I am mastering it. I am searching my many (I have lots) external storage drives for an image made before the laptop went to the shop. I used to use EaseUs until recently, so may have to use one of those if I cannot find a suitable Macrium one.
I did find amongst my "Restore Points" one from about 10 days before I shipped it to the shop. All the rest are from after it was returned. Is it worth me trying that? My other laptop automatically creates a restore point every time it is powered up, but I cannot find the process to do that anymore, I may have deleted the instructions.
I have several recent Macrium images, so If I screw up at least I could go back to yesterday if no earlier.
The Techs via VAIO "customer disservice" said I need to do a system RESET, I don't think I am going to go there, do you?

- - - Updated - - -

Callender said:

I've used it several times. One thing to note is that it will convert a microsoft account to a local account.

Then depending on the options chosen it's wise to have a backup of all %AppData% folders that you can copy back after the fix.

Copies of %AppData% folders are good to have. SyncToy can be set up to do that on demand.

dalchina · 29 Aug 2022

Thanks. You probably know you're looking for files xxxxxxx.mring

Always helps to have a system- label drives.. I use a specific HDD for each of my 2 PCs exclusively for image backups. The backup job is set up as prompted when I create a base image (e.g. after a feature upgrade)- thereafter it's just a few clicks to start a differential image using that backup job, which also manages the space on the backup drive. (Image file retention rules).

As to whether a restore point would help- it all depends what state your system is in and what the problem is. Restore points rely on your O/S essentially being intact, and do not change user data (possible exceptions being user-created script files).

The searchable Tutorial section here has tutorials on system restore, and there's one I've used to have a restore point created daily on schedule.

I would start with absolute basics- check your disk(s) - get a copy of Hard Disk Sentinel (portable version available) - I posted a giveaway a few days ago someone said seems still valid: good for SSDs - just run it, instant analysis right on its GUI. Green is good.

Callender · 29 Aug 2022

dalchina said:

Just out of curiosity- what kind of problems did it help with? Thanks.

I've used it to fix the user profile when it was assigned a microsoft account with the character limit on the user name a few times after a fresh install and also after purchasing a refurbished laptop.

It did require copying back some %appdata% folders each time.

I tried this:

Change Name of User Profile Folder in Windows 10

but ended up with various permissions issues afterwards. APF also fixed that.

mb300e · 29 Aug 2022

dalchina said:

Thanks. You probably know you're looking for files xxxxxxx.mring

Always helps to have a system- label drives.. I use a specific HDD for each of my 2 PCs exclusively for image backups. The backup job is set up as prompted when I create a base image (e.g. after a feature upgrade)- thereafter it's just a few clicks to start a differential image using that backup job, which also manages the space on the backup drive. (Image file retention rules).

I would start with absolute basics- check your disk(s) - get a copy of Hard Disk Sentinel (portable version available) - I posted a giveaway a few days ago someone said seems still valid: good for SSDs - just run it, instant analysis right on its GUI. Green is good.

I have 12 large external drives (Up to 10TB) to search, I do a lot of video and audio work so need the storage space. Each drive has an assigned letter and drive name, it speeds up looking for stuff. Unfortunately, I cannot connect them all at the same time, the limit is about 6 of them at a time. So searching takes time. I usually spread my Images around too, just in case. It was about the time I needed to send the laptop away that I bought into Macrium, a four-PC License.

Dalchina, did you use the paid version of Hard Disk Sentinel, or the free one? Their website shows a paid or a free one which is limited in what it can do.

Try3 · 29 Aug 2022

mb300e said:

I am having trouble ... I cannot find a way to fix the accounts

What "trouble"?
What are the indications than any account needs a "fix"?

All the best,
Denis

dalchina · 29 Aug 2022

mb300e said:

I have 12 large external drives (Up to 10TB) to search, I do a lot of video and audio work so need the storage space. Each drive has an assigned letter and drive name, it speeds up looking for stuff. Unfortunately, I cannot connect them all at the same time, the limit is about 6 of them at a time. So searching takes time. I usually spread my Images around too, just in case. It was about the time I needed to send the laptop away that I bought into Macrium, a four-PC License.

Dalchina, did you use the paid version of Hard Disk Sentinel, or the free one? Their website shows a paid or a free one which is limited in what it can do.

The free version is a full functional trial and function continues. Many people have used it- excellent prog. I posted this some days ago- may still work..
Lifetime license for Hard Disk Sentinel (standard)
(I have the pro version)