Stange Problem - user account disappeared

[Matt08642]

I have Windows 7 Home Premium x64, and I used to have two accounts set up - One was my account (Admin) and one was a normal account for my mother. I forget what prompted HER account to disappear from the login screen, but something did. I do know for sure that it wasn't some sort of virus or seedy software.

I can still see all of her files and access them in C:\Users\Maria, but I cannot create a new account with that name, nor can I log in to it.

Any idea what is wrong, and if so, how to restore her account??

Thanks!

 

[BriceH]

Hi, Matt08642. Could you please run the following in Command Prompt and then upload the file called Users.txt that it creates on your desktop?

net user > Desktop\Users.txt

 

[Matt08642]

Hi, Matt08642. Could you please run the following in Command Prompt and then upload the file called Users.txt that it creates on your desktop?

net user > Desktop\Users.txt

here you go

 

[BriceH]

Her account still exists. You should be able to make it appear if you follow the steps in this tutorial:

How to Hide or Unhide a User Account in Vista and Windows 7

 

[Matt08642]

Her account still exists. You should be able to make it appear if you follow the steps in this tutorial:

How to Hide or Unhide a User Account in Vista and Windows 7

When I try to open the Local Users and Groups Manager, I get this window (attached)

 

[BriceH]

In that case, take a look at Method Two. This method does it through the registry, which you should be able to edit on any edition of Windows.

 

[Matt08642]

In that case, take a look at Method Two. This method does it through the registry, which you should be able to edit on any edition of Windows.

Thanks, I did that and while I was not able to see the "Maria" account at the login screen, I was able to copy the files from the account, delete it in control panel, and remake it.

Thanks for the link!

 

[BriceH]

No problem. I'm glad that you were able to get this working.

Admins, you may mark this thread as solved.

 

[Dwarf]

Can she now access her files?

 

[Matt08642]

Can she now access her files?

Oh we could always access the files in C:\Users\Maria\Desktop, we just couldn't log in.

 

[luckman212]

A similar thing happened to me recently. I think I figured out a less destructive way to fix it. What I eventually realized was that somehow (probably a permissions reset that I did) the account (let's call it "Bob") lost its membership to the "Users" security group.

The way to fix this is to open local users manager via lusrmgr.msc and then double click Bob's account, click the "Member Of" tab and then click "Add". Type "Users" and then click ok, and save it.

Now log off and hopefully you will see Bob's account back on the welcome screen