A step‑by‑step guide to creating a new profile and moving your files safely.

Before You Start

These steps are for situations where Windows signs you into a temporary profile, your Desktop and Documents are missing, or you see messages about a corrupted user profile.

Important: Do not delete your old user folder. We will copy files out of it.

Step 1 – Create a New Local User Account

1.1 Open Accounts Settings

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Accounts → Other users (or Family & other users).

1.2 Add a New Local Account

1. Click Add account.
2. When asked for a Microsoft account, click I don’t have this person’s sign‑in information.
3. Then click Add a user without a Microsoft account.
4. Enter a new username (for example: NewUser) and a password you will remember.
5. Click Next.

1.3 Make the New Account an Administrator (if needed)

1. In the same Accounts window, click the new user you just created.
2. Click Change account type.
3. Change from Standard user to Administrator.
4. Click OK.

1.4 Sign Out and Sign In as the New User

1. Click the Start button → your user icon → Sign out.
2. On the login screen, choose the new account and sign in.
3. Let Windows finish setting up the new desktop.

Step 2 – Find the Old User Folder

Your old files are still on the drive, even if Windows isn’t loading that profile correctly.

2.1 Open File Explorer

1. Press Windows + E.
2. Go to C:\Users.

2.2 Identify the Old Profile Folder

Look for a folder with your old username (for example: Mary, John, etc.).
In some cases you may see a folder like Mary and another like Mary.000 or Mary.TEMP.

Do not delete any of these.

Step 3 – Show Hidden Files

1. In File Explorer, click the View tab (or View menu).
2. Enable Hidden items.
3. Also enable File name extensions.

Step 4 – Copy Your Personal Files to the New Profile

Important: Only copy personal data. Do not copy system files.

4.1 Open Old and New User Folders Side by Side

1. Open: C:\Users .
2. Open: C:\Users .

4.2 Safe Folders to Copy

• Desktop
• Documents
• Pictures
• Music
• Videos
• Downloads
• Favorites
• Contacts

4.3 Do NOT Copy These

• AppData
• NTUSER.DAT
• NTUSER.DAT.LOG*
• ntuser.ini
• Any hidden system files in the root of the old profile

Step 5 – Reconnect Apps

• Sign back into browsers
• Reconnect email apps
• Reconnect cloud storage

Step 6 – Optional: Remove or Rename Old Profile

Only after confirming all files are recovered.

When to Contact Support

• Cannot create a new user
• Cannot access old profile folder
• Access denied errors
• Still signs into TEMP profile