Recieved Error: "Could not log into account, logging you into guest account"

This is on my parents' computer, which they have a bad habit of not turning off once they're done using it. My father has started to do some electrical work on the outlets in the same room and cut the power while the computer was still running. When I booted it up the next time, it gave me the error in the title and everything was set to its defaults. I have tried the tried and true method of turning it off and turning it back on again to no avail. Going into the file system, "This PC>Local Disk>Users" I can see the new user named TEMP was created when I first tried turning the computer on after the unexpected shutdown, as well as the main account I need to log into. Going into the main account folder, I can see all my parents' files are still there.

When logging in it gives me the main account name as well as the same password to login, and once logged in, going into the start menu, it shows the name of the main account, but none of the customization of the account is there.

I'm assuming that Windows is still logging me into the temp account, or Windows is confusing the temp account with the main account somehow.

I am afraid to mess with it anymore, and would appreciate any feedback before I continue.

Hi:

Often, merely rebooting the computer will get you back to your normal profile, if the corruption is not too bad.

Otherwise, have a look at these:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/48012-fix-youve-been-signed-temporary-profile-windows-10-a.html

https://www.makeuseof.com/windows-signing-you-in-temporary-profile/

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/fix-temp-account-windows-1011-2023/790adef5-5db2-4293-8088-373418b68d95

I use this when my clients have your issue. https://www.carifred.com/apf/

.......................cut the power while the computer was still running. When I booted it up the next time, it gave me the error...........

When a computer is turned off abruptly, Registry corruption can occur. That's almost certainly what's caused this problem.

If this problem occurred very recently then the easiest and quickest fix is to do a System Restore because it will restore known-good copies of all the Registry hives.

If you're not familiar with System Restore then head over to Control Panel -> Recovery -> Open System Restore. Choose a date that immediately predates the onset of your problem. You won't lose any personal data. If the restore doesn't work or gives unwanted results then you can always go back in and undo the restore.

Thank you all for your responses. I'm currently doing a backup of some of the registry keys and the folder of the main account to prevent any data loss.

Secret-Squirrel I already tried to do a system restore, but my parents did not have that set up, unfortunately gotta do this the hard way! Definitely going to fix that once the issue has been resolved, but thank you again for the feedback.

I will post and update when I have tried some of the troubleshooting options, and if I have fixed the issue.

Edited by hamluis, 03 April 2024 - 02:38 PM.
Removed unnecessary quoteboxes - Hamluis.

It's confusion may not be a problem.

This may or may not fix the issue : But should have anything in BIOS that speeds up the Boot turned off , Example ASUS FAST Boot for the same reasons as below :

Turn off MS Fast Start : https://www.windowscentral.com/how-disable-automatic-driver-updates-windows-10 /11 and WHY !!!

This will repair system files  : From a DOS Command Prompt from START | type cmd.exe into the start search box | RIGHT-click on cmd.exe | select "Run as Administrator" then Copy/Paste --> :
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth command then Enter     if it finds problems then reboot. (Completed Successfully : means reboot)
&
After : please Open another Admin Command Prompt and please run Copy/Paste --> SFC /SCANNOW into the Dos window or Powershell and Enter.  Reboot after.

If comes to this can always keep all your files provided they are kept in the same place as Windows expects them to be.  If not move to another partition.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/16397-repair-install-windows-10-place-upgrade.html

Edited by Pkshadow, 03 April 2024 - 03:25 PM.

Backing up those Keys might not be a good idea since have same topic locked in Win 11 and moved to the Malware Forum.

I have deleted the unintended topic in Win 11 to reduce confusion, I hope !  On my understanding the OP's two topics - here and in BSODs - refer to two different computers, his and his parents, and I do not see any evidence of a topic in V&M removal.

Chris Cosgrove

My Issue has been fixed, thanks to BC Advisor. The first link they provided worked by changing up some registry keys.

I also want to thank the mods for correcting my mistakes, I do not use forums too often so I don't know jack-diddly-squat about forum etiquette, I'm still learning, so thank you for your patience with me.

Thank you all for taking the time to help me.

Edited by Hipoppokunurious, 04 April 2024 - 09:24 AM.

Thanks for the status update.

Just to clarify - is THIS the link that worked for you?

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/48012-fix-youve-been-signed-temporary-profile-windows-10-a.html

Reason for asking: both @pkshadow and I are "BC Advisers". So, I'm not sure whose link helped you. It's not a big deal, of course. I'm just trying to determine for future reference which of the proposed solutions helped you.

In any event, I'm glad you were able to resolve your issue.

Cheers

Yes! That is the link that fixed my problem. Windows now logs into the correct profile.

I realize I was looking at the wrong place for the username. Thank you MoxieMomma.

:=} Glad the other BC Advisor fixed you up.

and Thank You @Chris Cosgrove