Windows 7 c:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop not available. Access deni

pseudochicken

Junior Member
Apr 21, 2013
1
0
0
Hello all,

I have a self-built machine running flawlessly for over a year now with Windows 7 64-bit. The other day my computer was still on and there was a power outage during a thunderstorm before I had the chance to turn the machine off.

Since then I have been getting a consistent error message:

Location is not available. c:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop is not available. Access denied. I tried to "Fix a corrupted user profile" as suggested by the microsoft support to no avail:http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/fix-a-corrupted-user-profile?SignedIn=1

In general, windows boots up normally to the login screen. Logging in to any user account (the only existing one at the time of the crash) or any new one made since then gives me the same problem. Once I log in, the Welcome screen loads for a very long time (>10 minutes) followed by Preparing your Desktop... (>5 minutes). I am greeted with an empty desktop and a black screen, and the system responds VERY slowly. This happens EVERY time I try to log in to any account.

I have tried a system restore, but it fails every time, forcing me to restart. I have attempted to repair the installation using the windows 7 install disk but no errors are detected. I am unable to boot in safe mode: I get the Desktop Location is not available error and it proceeds to log me out.

At this point I am out of ideas. I am guessing this is some registry error. I am wondering if I should just bite the bullet and reformat :confused:

Thanks in advance!
 

ViRGE

Elite Member, Moderator Emeritus
Oct 9, 1999
31,516
167
106
Humm, I believe that's the user directory for the SYSTEM user. In which case you're in trouble.:eek:

You can try sfc /scannow, but I don't know if it will fix it. If not and if you don't have a backup, then reformatting will be by far the faster option. I don't know of any way to recreate that specific user directory.
 

Harvey

Administrator<br>Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
35,057
67
91
Did you check to make sure the folder, c: \windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop is still on your drive?

Did you check your profile to see if something changed your account to alter or remove any your privileges as an Administrator?

Didyou try logging on as Administrator to see if you could access the folder?
 

Bubbaleone

Golden Member
Nov 20, 2011
1,803
4
76
There's also a chance that if you're able to boot to the desktop (even if it takes 10 minutes and it's black), you can try inserting the Windows 7 installation disk in your dvd player and see if will boot (prior to doing this; be sure to disconnect any USB sticks or external drives).

If nothing happens after say 5 or 10 minutes; you're done. But if the AutoPlay dialog will open and asks if you want to run 'setup.exe' just click setup.exe, or if the AutoPlay dialog opens and ask if you want to 'Open folder to view files', just click 'Open folder to view files' and when explorer opens click on 'setup.exe'.

It's all good if you've gotten this far because you'll now be able to perform an "upgrade installation" which will repair Windows 7 without you losing any of your programs or personal data. After you've started setup.exe here's what happens:


  • When the Install Windows 7 splash screen appears, click 'Install now' and it will begin copying temporary files, and then setup will start.
  • Next, click "Go online to get the latest update for installation".
  • When that's complete select your operating system and click Next.
  • Accept the license terms and click Next.
  • Click 'Upgrade' (Do Not click Custom) and the repair installation will begin.
Windows installer will automatically restart your computer two or three times during the procedure. (Don't press any keys when you see the prompt to "Press any key to boot from DVD"!).


.
 

nemesismk2

Diamond Member
Sep 29, 2001
4,810
5
76
www.ultimatehardware.net
Hello all,

I have a self-built machine running flawlessly for over a year now with Windows 7 64-bit. The other day my computer was still on and there was a power outage during a thunderstorm before I had the chance to turn the machine off.

Since then I have been getting a consistent error message:

Location is not available. c:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop is not available. Access denied. I tried to "Fix a corrupted user profile" as suggested by the microsoft support to no avail:http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/fix-a-corrupted-user-profile?SignedIn=1

In general, windows boots up normally to the login screen. Logging in to any user account (the only existing one at the time of the crash) or any new one made since then gives me the same problem. Once I log in, the Welcome screen loads for a very long time (>10 minutes) followed by Preparing your Desktop... (>5 minutes). I am greeted with an empty desktop and a black screen, and the system responds VERY slowly. This happens EVERY time I try to log in to any account.

I have tried a system restore, but it fails every time, forcing me to restart. I have attempted to repair the installation using the windows 7 install disk but no errors are detected. I am unable to boot in safe mode: I get the Desktop Location is not available error and it proceeds to log me out.

At this point I am out of ideas. I am guessing this is some registry error. I am wondering if I should just bite the bullet and reformat :confused:

Thanks in advance!

I had the exact same problem in 2009 which could only be fixed by installing windows 7 again. :(

This then happened again and i just thought sod it and i stayed with windows xp until 2012 full time until another windows 7 installation but it's worked fine since then. i then decided to keep windows 7, windows xp and ubuntu on different drives. :)
 

Matt1970

Lifer
Mar 19, 2007
12,320
3
0
Humm, I believe that's the user directory for the SYSTEM user. In which case you're in trouble.:eek:

You can try sfc /scannow, but I don't know if it will fix it. If not and if you don't have a backup, then reformatting will be by far the faster option. I don't know of any way to recreate that specific user directory.

OP hasn't responded in 4 days so he probably won't now but I bet the sfc/ scannow would have fixed that.
 

BarkingGhostar

Diamond Member
Nov 20, 2009
8,410
1,617
136
On my old W7pro PC I actually had sfc /scannow fail on some items. The funny thing is I added a drive and installed Hackintosh (Mavericks) and I am not seeing the same issues with certain applications I was experiencing with W7pro.

Mind you the issues with W7pro were overcome by building a new PC. :)