How to Repair Windows XP Profile
When a Windows XP profile is corrupted, repairing the profile involves creating a new one and copying files. Once the settings are copied over to the new profile, you can delete the corrupted profile and recreate it. Although it's a tedious task, repairing a Windows profile only takes a few steps. This process can be done by the owner of the computer or by the network administrator. To repair a Windows XP profile, you must be logged on with a different username that has administrative rights on the computer.
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Instructions
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1
Click the Windows "Start" button and select "Control Panel." Double-click the "User Accounts" icon. This opens a configuration dialog window.
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Click the "User Account" selection and then click the "Advanced" tab. Click the "Advanced" button in this tab. Click "Users" in the left side of the window pane and click "New User" in the "Action" menu.
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Enter a new user name. This can be a temporary or permanent name. Click the "Next" button and then "Create User Account" at the summary screen. This creates a new user name that will be used to save a backup of the corrupted profile's settings and documents.
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4
Double-click the "My Computer" icon on your desktop. Navigate to the directory of the corrupted user profile at "C:\Documents and Settings\CorruptedProfile," where "CorruptedProfile" is the name of the corrupted profile.
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5
Show hidden files by clicking the "Tools" menu and choose the "Folder Options" selection. Click the "View" tab and check the box that says "Show Hidden Files." Uncheck the checkbox that is labeled "Hide protected operating-system files." Click the "OK" button to save the settings.
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Copy all the folders and files in the corrupted user-profile directory except for the following:
Ntuser.dat
Ntuser.dat.log
Ntuser.ini
Once copied, paste them to the new profile directory created previously. The new profile directory is located at "C:\Documents and Settings\NewUser," where "NewUser" is the name given to the new user created. -
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Reboot the computer for the changes to take effect. You can keep this username and use it in place of the corrupted profile, or you can re-create the original username.
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