GNet Solutions » Windows Administration

I encountered a problem with a workstation failing to log on its normal user. This error was spontaneous and I could not isolate the cause. I found this to be a problem that microsoft recognizes and they have a fix for it. Here is what I did to fix this problem.

Boot into Safe Mode¶

• Reboot Windows and keep pressing F8 during the boot up sequence.

• Once the boot selection menu appears, select Safe Mode.

Backup the Registry¶

• Press [Win] + R to open a run prompt.

• Enter regedit and click Ok.

• Click on File -> Export and select a path to save the registry backup, then click Ok

Fix Corrupt User Profile¶

• While still in regedit, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/ProfileList

• Next locate the corrupt account folder that begins with S-1-5 using the ProfileImagePath key.

• Once the account folder has been located, there should be a second account folder with the same name, but with .bak at the end. Replace original account folder with the .bak.
  1. Right-click on the original folder account and select Rename, adding .ba to the end of the name.
  2. Right-click on the .bak folder account and select Rename, removing the .bak from the end of the name.
  3. Right-click on the .ba folder account and select Rename, replacing .ba to .bak

• Reboot the workstation back into the normal environment.

Resources¶

• https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/947215/you-receive-a-the-user-profile-service-failed-the-logon-error-message
• http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/software/8070/how-to-fix-a-windows-vista-7-or-10-corrupt-user-profile-the-user-profile-service