Big Mess after creating new profile and deleting original profile

[sportflyer]

Originally I had all my data files in drive D and only programs in drive C. Somehow my old user profile got corrupted and the Backgound wall paper is not working properly. So I created a new admin profile to fix it but now I have a mess .

After I created a new admin profile and moved the old users folder/files to the new user , I decided to delete the old profile after everything seems to be working properly . When deleting the old profile I elected to save old user files to my desktop ( fortunately) . I now have a very fragmented system . Some of the folder/files are still under my old username in D drive , nothing in my new user name in D drive plus almost all of the folder/files from the old user ( in drive D) are now in a folder on the desktop where windows elected to place them when I elected to save the folders/files. I really need all the old user folders.

I would like to have the Data in either under my old or new username in Drive D instead of fragmented all over the place. I realize I ended up in this situation because I didnt understand fully what windows will do when creating and deleting user profiles.

Please suggest what I have to do to clean up the system?

Thanks

 

[emaraszek]

Before proceeding, I would backup the computer to an external location such as a USB HDD or network location. If you don't have the ability to do this, at least track down all the files you want and copy them to a USB flash drive or other external device

 

[sportflyer]

I would definitely do full computer image backup before proceeding any further. What is frustrating is that the Restore point I created before deleting the old user is gone. So I can't even restore to a condition prior to the creation of new User. The computer is running fine as of right now. I just don't like the Data folders and files spread over 3 locations .

 

[sportflyer]

Guys, do you think its safe to move the contents of the Folder windows saved in my new user desktop when I deleted the old user profile back to the OLD User Folder or to the NEW user Folder I created in D ? Will windows and app programs have a problem locating these folders by themselves or do I need to go to each program to point to the folders?

I hate to create more mess than it already is.

Thanks

 

[karlsnooks]

Let us know when you have performed an image backup of your current system to an external usb.

Safety first!

 

[sportflyer]

Let us know when you have performed an image backup of your current system to an external usb.

Safety first!

Already done yesterday . I used Macrium Reflect for full image backup to an External Drive . I also created Recovery Boot Disk.

 

[karlsnooks]

The term "recovery boot disk" means different things to different people.

Would you tell me how you made such a "disk" (you probably meant disc)?

 

[sportflyer]

It was part of the backup process provided by Macrium Reflect . It is for booting the computer with the disc in place so that I can reinstall the backup image in case something goes wrong. I created a Linux version as well as a compatibility version both options provided by the software Macrium. Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download .

 

[karlsnooks]

I've never used Macrium.
I've always used Win 7 Backup and Restore which comes with Win 7 and works perfectly.

There are others who do use Macrium.

I rather strongly suggest that you make a Win 7 System Repair Disc so that you are prepared in case of some disasters.

True is that if you have Win 7 DVD then you can get to the repair section without a system repair disc. To protect the Win 7 DVD and for convenience I always use a win 7 System repair disc which fits on a normal CD.

CREATE A SYSTEM REPAIR DISC

[FONT=&quot]START[/FONT][FONT=&quot] | type System Repair | Enter key | Create Disc button



[/FONT]​

 

[karlsnooks]

Now is that image of a stable or of an unstable system?

 

[sportflyer]

Macrium works for me. The Rescue disk boots into a Wizard . From there you chose the location of the image etc. Then it will complete the job of restoring the computer to the desired state. OK as backup I will create a system repair disk. So how about the original question of cleaning up the mess ?

 

[sportflyer]

Now is that image of a stable or of an unstable system?

It's an image of a stable system.

 

[karlsnooks]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

 

[sportflyer]

That's the last thing I want to do. I would try to move files around and delete the old user. IF all else fails I can always return to a earlier image of a stable system after I copy the important data files to a DVD.

 

[emaraszek]

That's the last thing I want to do. I would try to move files around and delete the old user. IF all else fails I can always return to a earlier image of a stable system after I copy the important data files to a DVD.

I would try the following:

1. Perform full system image backup (done)

2. Copy the important files to a Flash Drive/other external storage(done?)

3. Enable the built in admin account (if you haven't already; note that it's disabled by default)

See Option A within the following link on how to enable this account:
​

Enable / Disable the Local (Hidden, Built-In) Administrator Account in Windows 7 - TechNet Articles - United States (English) - TechNet Wiki
​

4. Log in with the built in admin account

5. Delete all problematic profiles permanently

Don't elect to save a copy of the user's data, etc. as this is why we transferred important files to an external location and did a full image backup.
​

6. Reboot

7. Log in as built in admin again

8. Create a new profile for yourself

Make sure this new profile is set up as an administrator on your machine
​

9. Logoff built in admin

10. Login with your new profile

11. Disable the built in admin account

Follow the same steps as you did to enable it but this time type net user administrator /active:no (notice this time it will be "/active:no" instead of "/active:yes")
​

12. Set up folder locations the way you want them

13. Copy your files back off the Flash Drive/other external storage to the desired folders within your new profile

 

[sportflyer]

I will try as you described next week and advise results. Thanks

 

[karlsnooks]

emarazcek,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/507-built-administrator-account-enable-disable.html

For future use.

 

[gregrocker]

You may be confused because after you set up the owner's Admin level account during installation or OEM setup, that User cannot ever be completely deleted for security reasons. So until you're ready to reinstall it will hang around in places where you can just ignore it. Focus on your new account and setting it up correctly.

You should never be afraid to Clean Reinstall as it represents a fresher start than getting a new computer when you consider how much bloat is crammed into a new consumer PC. Be the master of your rig by getting and keeping a perfect as shown in these steps to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. We are here to help you at the top site on the web for this specialty.

 

[sportflyer]

I have done several clean installs in several computers so I am not afraid of it. However why do a clean Win7 reinstall when I made a good clean full disc image immediately after a clean install with all app software operational and all the folders are in the drives I wanted. All I need are the important personal files saved to an ext drive so I can then move them to the appropriate locations . Tks

 

[emaraszek]

emarazcek,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/507-built-administrator-account-enable-disable.html

For future use.

Thanks, I was looking for something like that.

@sportflyer:

Let us know how it goes when you decide to follow through with the steps I posted. However, if that doesn't fix your issue then a clean re-install may be you best option, as gregrocker has suggested.