How-To Guides

Troubleshooting User Profile and Display Issues in Windows: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Creating a new user profile in Windows is often a simple process, but sometimes this change can lead to unexpected issues in your main profile. If your PC is experiencing unusual behavior, crashing, or display problems after creating and switching to a new user account, there are a few steps you can take to restore stability. In this article, we’ll explore potential causes and fixes, from checking for corrupted files to creating a fresh user profile.

Understanding the Issue

If adding a new user and then switching back to your main administrator account has left your PC in a strange state, the underlying issue may stem from profile corruption or interference from lingering settings from the deleted account. Problems such as sudden crashes, black screens, and unusual system restarts can be alarming but are often solvable. Here’s a structured guide to troubleshooting and addressing the root cause.

Step 1: Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM Scans

Corrupt system files are a common cause of strange system behavior, and Windows includes built-in tools to check and repair these files.

  1. Open Command Prompt as an Administrator:
  • Press Win + S, type “Command Prompt,” right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
  1. Run the System File Checker (SFC):
  • In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
    cmd sfc /scannow
  • This command will scan all protected system files and replace corrupted files with cached copies located in a compressed folder at %WinDir%\System32\dllcache. The process may take some time, so wait for it to complete. If it finds and fixes issues, it will let you know.
  1. Run the DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management) Tool:
  • Once the SFC scan is complete, run the following DISM command to check the system’s health and repair the Windows image if needed:
    cmd DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  • This scan can take up to 20 minutes, depending on system performance and the nature of any detected issues.

These scans should address minor file corruption and image health issues that might be affecting your system.

Step 2: Check for Error Messages in Event Viewer

Event Viewer is a powerful tool that provides detailed information about system activities, including application failures and system crashes.

  1. Open Event Viewer:
  • Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type eventvwr, and press Enter.
  1. Navigate to Windows Logs:
  • In the Event Viewer window, expand Windows Logs on the left side, then click on System and Application logs.
  • Look for errors or warnings that align with the times you experienced issues, such as black screens or restarts. The details can help identify the source of these issues, whether they’re related to your user profile, system files, or display settings.

This step will often reveal which processes or applications are causing crashes, providing insights for further troubleshooting.

Step 3: Create a New User Profile and Transfer Files

If the issue persists after attempting repairs, it might be best to create a new user profile entirely. Sometimes, the only way to bypass corrupted settings is to start fresh. Follow these steps to create a new profile and transfer essential files:

  1. Create a New User Profile:
  • Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, then click Add someone else to this PC.
  • Follow the prompts to create a new user with administrator permissions.
  1. Test the New Profile for Stability:
  • Log in to the new user profile to check if it behaves normally. If the new profile functions correctly without crashing or experiencing display issues, it’s a good sign that your main profile may have residual issues causing the trouble.
  1. Transfer Files to the New Profile:
  • To migrate to this new profile, you can copy files from your old profile folder, typically found at C:\Users\YourOldProfileName.
  • Copy personal files (e.g., Documents, Desktop files) but avoid copying hidden files and folders, such as those in AppData, as they may contain settings and configurations that caused issues in the first place.

This approach can often resolve persistent profile-related issues by giving you a fresh environment without the problematic settings.

Step 4: Update Graphics Drivers and Check for Windows Updates

Graphics drivers play a crucial role in maintaining display stability. A corrupted or outdated graphics driver can lead to black screens, flickers, or crashes. To update these:

  1. Check for Graphics Driver Updates:
  • Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
  • Expand the Display adapters section, right-click your graphics card, and select Update driver. Choose to Search automatically for drivers.
  • Alternatively, you can visit the manufacturer’s website (such as NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) to download the latest drivers directly.
  1. Check for Windows Updates:
  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates.
  • Install any pending updates, as these can often include stability and security patches that might address your issues.

Step 5: Restore to a Previous System Restore Point

If your PC still experiences issues, restoring it to a previous state can help undo recent changes that might be causing problems. Windows creates restore points automatically (if enabled), allowing you to revert to a previous configuration without affecting personal files.

  1. Open System Restore:
  • Type System Restore into the Start menu search bar and select Create a restore point. In the System Properties window, click System Restore.
  1. Choose a Restore Point:
  • Select a restore point created before the issues began and follow the on-screen instructions to restore your system. This process can take some time and will restart your PC as part of the process.

If a restore point is available from before you created the extra user account, this option may resolve the issue by reverting Windows settings and files to that earlier state.

Read: Stay on Windows 10 or Upgrade to 11?

Final Thoughts

Adding and removing user profiles should be a seamless experience, but profile corruption or lingering settings can sometimes cause significant problems. By following these steps—from running diagnostic scans to creating a fresh profile and updating drivers—you should be able to resolve most issues and restore your PC to a stable state. If these troubleshooting steps don’t resolve the problem, a deeper dive into hardware diagnostics or a fresh Windows installation may be warranted, though that’s generally a last resort.