Damaged user profile

Win7 ultimate x64
I have accidentally deleted some files from my user profile (and possibly Windows) so when I now log on I get a black desktop, icons on my taskbar are blank "pages" and the desktop.ini file opens.

If I try to run windows explorer from the taskbar it tells me it can't open this item, it might have been moved, renamed or deleted but explorer.exe is in the windows folder. I can get an explorer type window by clicking on "Computer" in the start menu.

I have tried various fixes I found on the internet, one from this forum for "User profile service failed" which advised looking at SID keys, I have numerous S-1-5 keys but none with .BAK and only 1 relating to my user account.

Desktop.ini is in \windows\system32\config\systemprofile

Can anyone offer any help please?

PS I also created another user but it showed the same symptoms.

sobranie said:

Safe mode/command line/type rstrui.exe
If no joy then it's Repair install.

"No restore points have been created..."

They were created, goodness knows where they've gone.

I'll try a repair install. I really don't want to do a fresh install, I have so much software on the affected PC it will take ages to reinstall.

Thanks to you all for your input.

Repair install Startup repair could not detect a problem

System restore no restore points created

Startup repair -> view diagnostics... how do I scroll that window to view the repair details?

Hi Dave74,

Welcome to SevenForums!

Dave74 said:

Win7 ultimate x64
I have accidentally deleted some files from my user profile (and possibly Windows) so when I now log on I get a black desktop, icons on my taskbar are blank "pages" and the desktop.ini file opens.

I think a repair install is needed, please see below . . .

A repair install differs from a clean install in the fact that it ONLY replaces the corrupted OS with a new fresh copy. This means that ALL your User Accounts, Folders, Files, Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos, Data Files, Icons, and any installed programs are left intact. It does however, delete ALL the Window updates, and can affect, sounds, services, visual effect settings and device drivers by re-setting them to default. You cannot do a repair install at boot, in Safe Mode, using a system repair disk, or using an integrated Windows update disk. Basically, this process can ONLY be performed from within the LIVE OS.

I hope this helps!

Hi Paul,

F8 -> repair your computer

Windows failed to start.....insert windows installation disk & restart your PC

Which just takes me back to the same situation as booting from the installation disk.

Am I doing something wrong?

I recovered deleted files using the attrib command in the hope that might fix the issue, it didn't

Am I doing something wrong?

Yes, completely wrong.

You should have looked at the link Z3 provided.