I have run the sfc three times as directed but it still found corrupted files.

I presume I should now proceed to delete the corrupt user account? I note that if one creates a new user account and goes to Control Panel - User Accounts and Family Safety- User Accounts-Add and Remove User Accounts- Delete Account before one actually deletes an account you are asked if you want to keep that account's files. It says that it can automatically save the contents of that user account's desktop and Documents, Favorites, Music, Pictures and Videos to a new folder on the new user account's desktop. I realise this does not include e-mail messages, but I thought I could export those to a memory stick and then import them to my new user account. This all seems a far simpler process than creating a new profile as explained here http://windows.microsoft.com/en-CA/windows-vista/Fix-a-corrupted-user-profile.

Why does Microsoft suggest one needs to create a new profile? What is the difference between a user account and a user profile?

Any clarification you can provide would be appreciated.

I realise that, but I would appreciate if you could give me some guidance on the points raised in my last post.

It would be much appreciated.

Thanks very much Richard for explaining the difference between a user profile and a user account and for all your previous help.

I have now marked this thread as solved.