Since the inception of Windows 10, users have been complaining their computers sometimes sign them in with a temporary profile. Due to this bug, users can’t access a series of files on their PC.

Solve yet another Windows error with the help of our tested steps

  • You might be logged into Windows 10 with a temporary profile due to corrupted files and folders on your current user profile.

  • You can try to log in using another authentication method than the regular one.

  • Make sure to update your system to fix the You’ve been signed in with a temporary profile error.

  • Deleting the broken profile can help you solve the problem if nothing works.

  • Download Restoro PC Repair Tool that comes with Patented Technologies (patent available here).

  • Click Start Scan to find Windows issues that could be causing PC problems.

  • Click Repair All to fix issues affecting your computer’s security and performance

  • Restoro has been downloaded by 0 readers this month.

It appears this annoying bug is here to stay, and it is accompanied by You’ve been signed in with a temporary profile message. This can be various reasons and prevent you from accessing your user account. This guide will show you how to fix it quickly and effectively.

Why am I signed in with a temporary profile?

This issue occurs because your user account is corrupt, which can happen for several reasons. However, it’s easy to fix corrupt user profiles on Windows.

If this issue appears, you’ll get the We can’t sign into your account message, and you won’t be able to access your files. Many users reported that they couldn’t log in with their Microsoft account due to this issue.

Speaking of this message, here are some similar problems:

  • Windows 10 is stuck in a temporary profile – According to users, this problem can appear on Windows 10, you can apply most solutions below.
  • User keeps logging in with temporary profile in Windows 10 – This issue can occur due to your antivirus, so be sure to disable it temporarily and check if that helps.
  • A temporary profile is loaded – If there’s a problem with your profile, you might encounter this message on your PC; however, you can fix the problem simply by logging in to Safe Mode.
  • You’ve been logged into a temporary profile – This is another variation of this error, and to fix it, you just need to disable PIN sign-in and check if that solves the issue.

How do I fix Windows 10 with a temporary profile error?

1. Go to Safe Mode

  • Press the Windows key to show the Start Menu.
  • Press and hold the Shift key, and click the Power option followed by Restart.
  • When your PC restarts, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings. Click the Restart button.
  • Once your PC restarts, select Safe Mode’s version by pressing the appropriate key on your keyboard and log in with your original account.
  • If this does not work, restart your PC in normal mode more than once, sign in with your original account, and see if the issue persists.
  • If you still can’t access your files, press the Windows key + R, type services.msc, and click OK.
  • Double-click the Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection option to open its properties.
  • Set the Startup type to Disabled and click the OK button.
  • Now, go back to the Registry Editor and double-click the Microsoft Defender Antivirus service.
  • Click the dropdown before the Startup type, select Disable and click OK.
  • Finally, disable any third-party antivirus you have to and restart your PC again.

2. Correct the Registry Entry

  • Press the Windows key from the account with the temporary profile, type cmd, and select Command Prompt.
  • Copy and paste the command below and hit Enter. whoami/user
  • Note the Security Identifier (SID) for the current account.
  • Press the Windows key + R, type regedit, and click OK. Note that you need to have administrative privileges to do this.
  • Navigate to the location below in the left pane: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
  • After expanding the ProfileList key, check if the SID from Step 3 ends with .bak or without it or has the two variations.
  • If the SID key is without .bak do the following:
  • Double-click ProfileImagePath in the right pane to edit it.
  • Enter your correct user path in the Value data box and click the OK button. You can check this from File Explorer e.g., C:/USER/.
  • Now, check if the State DWORD of the SID is set to 0 (zero) in the right pane and close the registry editor.
  • Should the SID key has .bak at the back, do the following:
  • Right-click the SID key, select the Rename option, and remove the .bak from the name.
  • Double-click the ProfileImagePath in the right pane, change the Value data to your correct profile path, and click OK.
  • Check that the State DWORD for the SID key is set to 0 in the right pane and close the Registry Editor.
  • If two SID keys are listed with one having .bak and the other without it, do the following:
  • Right-click the SID key without .bak, select Delete and click the Yes button to confirm the action.
  • Now, right-click the SID key with .bak, select Rename, and remove the .bak from the name.
  • Double-click the ProfileImagePath option in the right pane, change the Value data to your correct profile path, and click OK.
  • Check if the State DWORD is set to 0 and close the registry editor.
  • Finally, restart your computer and log in with the affected user profile.

This is an excellent fix for the Windows 10 temporary profile issue and has proved to solve the problem for many. After making these changes, check if the problem is still there.

  • Why am I signed in with a temporary profile?

  • How do I fix Windows 10 with a temporary profile error?

    1. Go to Safe Mode
    1. Correct the Registry Entry
    1. Create a new user account

  • Double-click ProfileImagePath in the right pane to edit it.

  • Enter your correct user path in the Value data box and click the OK button. You can check this from File Explorer e.g., C:/USER/.

  • Now, check if the State DWORD of the SID is set to 0 (zero) in the right pane and close the registry editor.

  • Right-click the SID key, select the Rename option, and remove the .bak from the name.

  • Double-click the ProfileImagePath in the right pane, change the Value data to your correct profile path, and click OK.

  • Check that the State DWORD for the SID key is set to 0 in the right pane and close the Registry Editor.

  • Right-click the SID key without .bak, select Delete and click the Yes button to confirm the action.

  • Now, right-click the SID key with .bak, select Rename, and remove the .bak from the name.

  • Double-click the ProfileImagePath option in the right pane, change the Value data to your correct profile path, and click OK.

  • Check if the State DWORD is set to 0 and close the registry editor.

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3. Create a new user account

  • Click the Start icon in the Taskbar and select the Settings option.
  • Choose Accounts in the left pane and select Family & other users in the right pane.
  • Now, click Add account before Add other user.
  • Choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
  • From here, select Add a user without a Microsoft account.
  • Enter a username, password, and password hint, and click the Next button.
  • Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Family & other users again.
  • Choose the account name of the new account (There should be a Local account under the name) and click the Change account type button.
  • Select the Administrator option under Account type and click OK.
  • Log into the new Microsoft account and launch File Explorer.
  • Click the C: drive, select USERS, and choose the old account.
  • Finally, copy the contents into your folder of the new account.

This is another workaround that allows you to access your files and your settings. Note that this will only work if your profile folder is still available on your PC.

  • Microsoft Fixes ‘The Profile for the User is a Temporary Profile’ Error
  • Lost your files after Windows 10 upgrade: Here’s what to do
  • FIX: Windows 10/11 could not connect to the ProfSvc service
  • Fix: Unable to Login with Microsoft Account in Windows 10

For more information, check out our guide on how to fix a corrupted user profile in Windows 10.

We hope one of these solutions works for you. If you’ve encountered a workaround we didn’t list in this article, tell us more about your experience in the comment section below.

Also, leave there any other questions you may have, and we will certainly take a look.

If the advices above haven’t solved your issue, your PC may experience deeper Windows problems. We recommend downloading this PC Repair tool (rated Great on TrustPilot.com) to easily address them. After installation, simply click the Start Scan button and then press on Repair All.

Still having issues? Fix them with this tool:

  • Fix Login issuesMicrosoft accountuser accountsWindows 11 Fix

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