Bad start up

[JohnR65]

Why did my pc start up this morning with a screen that showed as if it was brand new? I had to put in all the apps that were on it yesterday! Then I restarted it and it started up properly like yesterday. What are HP doing and why don't they inform me if there are BIOS updates?

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @JohnR65 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Your PC likely started in a temporary or default user profile due to a login or system error, which made it appear freshly set up. Restarting allowed Windows to load your actual profile and restore your apps and settings.

Here’s what might have happened and how to prevent it:

 

1. Temporary Profile Load

Windows sometimes loads a temporary profile when it encounters issues accessing your regular user account. This can happen due to:

• Corrupted user profile data
• Delayed disk access or login timeout
• Interrupted Windows updates or shutdowns

In this mode, your desktop looks new, apps are missing, and files seem gone—but they’re still safely stored under your real profile.

 

2. Why Restart Fixed It

Restarting the system allowed Windows to:

• Re-establish access to your original profile
• Clear any temporary login errors
• Resume normal startup behavior

This is common after system updates, power interruptions, or login glitches.

 

3. How to Confirm It Was a Temporary Profile

You can check the Event Viewer for signs of a temporary profile load:

• Press Windows + X, select Event Viewer
• Navigate to Windows Logs > Application
• Look for entries like:
  “Windows has logged you on with a temporary profile.”

 

4. Prevent Future Occurrences

To reduce the chance of this happening again:

• Always shut down properly—avoid forced power-offs.
• Keep Windows updated, but restart after updates to complete configuration.
• Run a system file check to repair any profile-related corruption:
  • Open Command Prompt as admin
  • Type: sfc /scannow and press Enter

 

5. Backup Your Profile

Just in case this happens again, consider backing up your user profile:

• Go to Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings
• Use OneDrive or an external drive to back up important files

If this happens again and your apps or files seem missing, don’t reinstall anything—just restart first. Let me know if you’d like help checking your Event Viewer logs or running a profile repair.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[JohnR65]

Thank you for advice but can't usescannow as it says I'm not administrator but in settings I am? As to syncing I don't use one drive and don't want to but it won't let me sync elsewhere?

On the Support Assistant I was able to download a new/updated BIOS and gaming hub but why didn't HP email me about this instead of me looking for it? Not a very good service!