Windows cannot find the local profile – What do I do?

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Windows 11 Home 23H2  —  Dec 2024 updates installed
ASUS Vivobook  Model # M1605YA-ES74

I happened to look in the event viewer and saw this error:

“Windows cannot find the local profile and is logging you on with a temporary profile. Changes you make to this profile will be lost when you log off.”

What does this mean?
Should I do anything about this even though everything seems to be working okay?

Also on the ASUS website there is an “optional” BIOS update for my laptop.  Would you recommend I install this if it is optional?

Thank you.

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This is something Windows does when it is unable to access your profile directory (open Explorer and enter this in the address box: %USERPROFILE%).

Reboot and see if it’s still an issue.

cheers, Paul

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Also note that I did reboot and the error still shows in the event viewer.

I ran   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth  and sfc /scannow  —  not errors displayed.

Should I really try to rebuild the BCD?

Other thoughts?

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I entered %USERPROFILE% into Explorer and it went to the correct folder under C:\Users

The error still shows up in the Event Viewer.

Do you think I should do anything about this such as reinstalling Windows 11???

 

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One more thought..    What if I deleted the one user account that Windows 11 is having problems with and just created a new user account?

Since this problem does not occur with the administrator account maybe the problem is just with that one account and I can just delete that account?

 

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edsel1924 wrote:

Should I really try to rebuild the BCD?

No, this is not the issue.

Test the profile to see if data is retained.
Change some icons on the desktop and add a new one.
Restart and see if the changes are saved. If so, ignore the message.

cheers, Paul

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Paul,

I added an icon to the desktop – a shortcut to an image.  Shut laptop down.  Restarted laptop.  Icon is still on the desktop so looks good!
ASUYS had issued a BIOS update earlier this week which I installed. I wonder if that fixed the problem.  In any case, I will take your advice and ignore the message in the event viewer.

Have a merry Christmas and a wonderful New year.

Thank you for your help!!

David

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Just FYI, what’s the date/time stamp for the error (i.e. is it an old error that no longer applies?)

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