User account disappeared, can't be added (windows 10 home)

[matthijss]

Hello,

I have the following problem with my pc. (full specs at the end). the problem started with my adminstrator account being inactive. I was unable to install anything since I couldn't give permission to do so.

I managed to reactivate the administrator account via safe-mode and commandprompt (net user administrator /active:yes).

In the list via cmd I can still see my old account, however I cannot log in on it, nor see it in the configuration screen / PC settings.

I have tried adding a new microsoft account. For that I have to go to the PC settings (app-like menu). But when I press the button to add an account, it sends me to the 'lusrmgr' page (Local users and groups), which is unavailable in windows 10 home edition.

So bottom line: I cannot access, nor reactivate my own microsoft account. I only have access to my administrator account.

Can anyone help me with this problem? Thank you.

Full specs:

Windows 10 Home edition. (anniversary update installed in September 2016)
Lenovo H535s
AMD A10-6700
12 GB ram
VRAM: AMD radeon 8670D.
HD: 931GB Western Digital WDC WD10EZEX-08M2NA0 (SATA)

 

[Colif]

I don't know if this will help:

[video="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A98Ax24dbi4&list=FLQTjAhxSptSza8hK6P-nXaA&index=2"][/video]

shows a way to access user accounts via safe mode.

 

[matthijss]

Unfortunately not. I cannot access my own microsoft account via there.. Only the administrator account is visible and useable. And I cannot add or see my personal microsoft account anywhere..

Which also means I have limited access to my documents, no apps etc.. So quite a bit more annoying than I originally thought.

 

[Colif]

That video was just the easy option, as the other choices are limited if you have no admin access

One way to copy anything off PC is try this: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/ linux doesn't care about windows logins
another option is put hdd of pc into another as second drive and copy files over that way

You can't do anything besides a fresh install or a factory reset as the other 2 reset types require a login that works.

How to factory reset a lenova desktop: https://support.lenovo.com/au/en/documents/ht077226 (your model came with win 10 so a factory reset isn't that bad compared to models that have win 7 on them)

Fresh install:

On another PC, download the Windows 10 media creation tool and use it to make a win 10 installer on USB

change boot order in bios so USB first, hdd second and follow this guide: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html