Are you frustrated with the “You have been logged on with a temporary profile” error in Windows 7? This issue can be caused by various factors such as corrupted user profiles, force shutdowns, power outages, or even Windows updates. Fortunately, there are several methods to resolve this problem and regain access to your original profile settings. In this article, we will explore the most effective solutions to fix a temporary profile in Windows 7.
Understanding the Temporary Profile Error
The temporary profile error occurs when Windows is unable to load your original user profile due to corruption or other issues. As a result, it creates a temporary profile, which lacks your personalized settings and files. This can be a significant inconvenience, especially if you rely heavily on your desktop and settings for work or personal activities.
Method 1: Renaming the Corrupted Profile Key
One of the most common solutions involves renaming the corrupted profile key in the Windows Registry. To do this:
Step-by-Step Instructions
– Press the Windows key R to open the Run prompt.
– Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
– Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
– Find the key with the same string of characters as your original profile but with a .bak extension.
– Delete the key without the .bak extension.
– Rename the key with the .bak extension by removing the .bak part.
– Close the Registry Editor and reboot your computer.
Method 2: Deleting and Re-Creating the User Profile
Another approach is to delete the corrupted user profile and create a new one. This method is more drastic but can be effective:
Step-by-Step Instructions
– Backup your important files and settings from the corrupted profile.
– Delete the corrupted user profile.
– Create a new user profile and selectively restore parts of the original profile from the backup.
Method 3: Disabling Services and Startup Items
In some cases, the temporary profile error can be caused by conflicting services or startup items. To resolve this:
Step-by-Step Instructions
– Go to the Services section and hide all Microsoft services.
– Disable all services.
– Go to the Startup section and disable all items.
– Apply the changes and restart your computer.
Method 4: Using System File Checker and Check Disk
Corrupted system files or disk errors can also cause the temporary profile error. To fix this:
Step-by-Step Instructions
– Run the System File Checker tool by typing “sfc /scannow” in the Command Prompt as an administrator.
– Run the Check Disk tool by typing “chkdsk” in the Command Prompt as an administrator.
Method 5: Deleting the Temporary Profile
Finally, you can delete the temporary profile to ensure it does not interfere with your original profile:
Step-by-Step Instructions
– Go to the System Properties window.
– Click the Settings button under the User Profiles section.
– Select the temporary profile and click the Delete button.
Windows 7, Temporary Profile, User Profile, Registry Editor, System File Checker, Check Disk