Unknown User

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  1. Posts : 40
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit SP1
       #1

    Unknown User


    Please can anyone help me. When I go to C:\Users\[My User Name], Properties, Security, an unknown user with a red question mark and a long series of numbers for a name shows up. I did remove this unknown user but now what happens is when I go to C:\Users\[My User Name], Properties, Security this unknown shows up momentarily and then disappears. It does however remain in the registry. I deleted it from the registry as well but it keeps comming back. It's no big deal because everything still works OK. But it is annoying. Does anyone know how to fix this. I do have some screenshots in case it helps. OS is Windows 7 Ultimate X64.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Unknown User-registry.jpg   Unknown User-s-1-5-21-1959337425-3215390515-242915364-1004.jpg  
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       #2

    It's probably a user that was deleted.
    -1004

    Press Edit and remove the id from the security list.

    You might want to check the security tab on root of each partition (C:\ D:\ E:\ ...) to see if the -1004 user is defined in those security settings. It's probably inherited downwards.

    Where did you remove the -1004 in the registry?
    HKLM\......\Microsoft\WindowsNT\ProfileList?

    I'll have to look up the full key if you need it.

    Hmmm, why is the advanced button greyed out. Are you not an administrator?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 40
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit SP1
    Thread Starter
       #3

    This is where they showed up when I did a search in the registry. I delete them they come back.
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy\GroupMembership
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy\S-1-5-21-1959337425-3215390515-242915364-1001\GroupMembership
    Yes I am the admin and by the way the advanced button was only greyed out on that unknown user.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4,049
    W7 Ultimate SP1, LM19.2 MATE, W10 Home 1703, W10 Pro 1703 VM, #All 64 bit
       #4

    Different Install?


    Did the HDD (and files) come from another Windows machine?
    Are you dual booting with another version of Windows (e.g. XP)?

    That normally happens if the user ID has been assigned by a different Windows installation.
    One Windows install doesn't know the names that are assigned to the SIDs by a different Windows install.

    This picture shows what W7 says when I look at my XP user folder.
    Unknown User-unknown-user.png
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       #5

    Good point lehnerus2000 - either way, it's an account not currently on the system and it seems as though Oscar53 wants it removed.

    Please check the following registry location for the -1004 account
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

    Remove it if found.

    You only have the one 500GB drive - how many partitions?
    In the Explorer computer view,
    right click each drive
    pick properties
    open the security tab
    if -1004 is presented, press the edit button
    highlight -1004
    press remove
    apply to this folder and sub-folders.

    let it change the security on the files. It might complain about some system files, but that's ok.


    Oscar53 said:
    .....
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy\S-1-5-21-1959337425-3215390515-242915364-1001\GroupMembership
    Yes I am the admin and by the way the advanced button was only greyed out on that unknown user.
    You're showing a different user: -1001; is that your GUID?

    BTW, the title in the image you posted shows Bob Properites
    Object C:\Users\Bob
    That's what the dialog window has in focus. The advanced tab is for Bob: user -1004 is simply included in the security setting for that object. Advanced should not be greyed out.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 40
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit SP1
    Thread Starter
       #6

    No other OS's, no transfers from other machines, just this stange behaviour. It doesn't show up in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

    I will record exactly what happens and post it. Does this forum support video recordings as attachments.
    Last edited by Oscar53; 27 Jun 2014 at 23:56.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       #7

    You cannot directly attach a video, but if you post it on a cloud or Youtube, you can post a link to it.

    I'd like to see what your system knows about users. Please post a screen shot of
    Control Panel > User Accounts >Manage another account
    See: Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums

    Unknown User-capture.png

    I'd also like to see how your disks are partitioned.
    Having this information makes it easier to a discuss course of action.
    See: Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image

    Thanks
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 40
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit SP1
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Here are the screenshots you asked for.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Unknown User-capture.jpg   Unknown User-capture1.jpg  
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       #9

    Thanks,

    In Explorer, view Computer
    Right click C:\
    pick properties
    open Security tab
    press the advanced button
    if user -1004 is displayed
    press change permissions
    select user -1104
    press remove
    press OK
    answer yes if asked to replace security settings

    let it change the files

    then for each folder on C:\
    do the same
    check for user -1004 on the security tab
    remove and apply

    You'll probably only find if on the Users folder

    Then check D:\

    I recommended this twice before, if you don't want to do it, that's ok - it's your machine. I won't recommend it again.

    Good luck,

    Bill
    .
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 40
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit SP1
    Thread Starter
       #10

    It doesn't show up there, here's what shows up.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Unknown User-capture.jpg  
      My Computer


 
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