Solved User account will not delete

Hello,

I am trying to fix a Vista Home Premium computer that had a very strange issue. There is a user on the machine that even though it shows it is an administrator account, it still is not being given administrator rights. So far what I've done is I've created a new account for that user and am now attempting to delete the old account. Problem is when I go through the prompts to delete the account it doesn't do anything. Does anyone have any ideas?
 

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Welcome
First run a full anti virus scan, be sure that it is updated.
Download and run malwarebytes make sure it is updated and run full scan

To begin try in safe mode.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/123496-safe-mode.html

If that does not work try the hidden, powerful administrator
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/507-built-administrator-account-enable-disable.html?filter[2]=User Accounts
for Vista and Seven

Be sure that you have tried it correctly
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/93026-user-account-delete.html

How did you obtain Vista for the Computer?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
In safe mode I tried deleting it with the GUI prompts that show up in the regular mode, and had the same result.
Then I clicked on the link on the left that says "Configure advanced user profile properties" selected the user and clicked delete. This line has now been removed from the list but the user still seems to be on the system.
 

My Computer

Welcome
First run a full anti virus scan, be sure that it is updated.
Download and run malwarebytes make sure it is updated and run full scan

To begin try in safe mode.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/123496-safe-mode.html

If that does not work try the hidden, powerful administrator
Built-in Administrator Account - Enable or Disable - Windows 7 Forums[2]=User Accounts
for Vista and Seven

Be sure that you have tried it correctly
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/93026-user-account-delete.html


How did you obtain Vista for the Computer?

I have been adding while you were trying
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Yeah, I did delete it correctly, and I have tried doing it from the built in administrator account, still with the exact same results. The OS on the computer is still the original pre-installed copy from the manufacturer (HP). At this point I've decided to use the SpecialUsers registry hack to just hide to old account from the logon screen, but since there is something obviously screwed up about this account I would still like to delete it somehow.
 

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Start with post number 7
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Click on the link
It is a visa thread. Start with the 7th post. They are numbered but you can count them to seven.
LOL forgot to give you the link.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Hi DarthGremlin,

Welcome to Vista Forums!

Richard has provided excellent advice and normally I'd assume it will work, but I have a feeling that this situation is somehow different in some way - though I'm not sure why or in what way (and I have no recommended solutions to offer at this point beyond those already provided - though I may later). I do, however, have a few questions that I hope you'll answer as they may help us if none of the above work. Of course. if you succeed, then ignore my questions as they are only attempts to discover the cause of the problem with this particular account and if you find a way to remove it then the problem is resolved.

@Richard, I don't understand what post #7 means either. What link are you talking about?

Here are my questions:

If you don't mind, what is the exact username of this user that cannot be deleted? I know of some programs that add user accounts as part of their function (e.g., Microsoft SteadyState) and I'm wondering if this was added because of such an installation. If so, it may be necessary to uninstall the program or at least configure it to remove that particular user account.

You say the "line" is no longer there - and I'm not sure what that means (what line are you talking about?). You also say that you believe the account is still on the system - can you please explain why you believe that (from User Accounts or from C:\Users in Windows Explorer or because it shows up during startup or how)? I see now that it still shows up in Startup (or did until your registry modification) - is there any other evidence of the account in any of the other places I just mentioned?

Thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
    CPU
    2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
    Motherboard
    Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
    Memory
    2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
    Sound Card
    SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
    Case
    Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]

    Dell AIO Printer A940

    Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem

    6TO4 Adapter
    Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
    Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
    Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
    Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

    Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
Did you run the full updated anti virus and the malwarebytes?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Rich, thanks again for a good idea, but alas this one once again did not work.
Lorien, the account was originally named Vance, then I renamed it Old Vance before creating a new account for Vance. The Old Vance account will not delete. When I said the "line" was no longer there I was referring to the list of users it displays when you select "Configure advanced user profile properties" from the User Accounts menu. I now believe that all I deleted when I deleted this line were the user profile settings such as Wall-paper, default web-browser, and the like. Because the first time I logged into the account it had the "preparing desktop" loading phase and then the "line" was back on "Configure advanced user profile properties".
 

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Dont overlook the anti virus, that may be a lead.

I think that the thread that I gave you with the advice from Brink should help
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
The guy who I'm working on this computer for has apparantly had this problem for quite some time. I'm not honestly sure how he lived with it. Now that my new Vance account has administrator access and everything I have noticed that he has not had automatic updates from Microsoft coming in at all, and what's worse he's still sitting at SP1. I'm going to run through and update that and make sure everything else is up to date then try again on the deleting problem. Hopefully this will be the solution and I'll be able to get rid of this buggy profile once and for all.
 

My Computer

Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Try this one, boot go to safe mode, log on with administrator account, click on start and type cmd in search. The right click and run as administrator.

Type the following commands and press Enter after each:
net user
(to get a list of all accounts)

net user "xxx" /del
(to delete user xxx)

rd /s /q "c:\users\xxx"
(to delete the profile folder for user xxx)

Warning: the last command is irreversible.

When you are in cmd make sure the prompt shows system32 and not account user name
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Hi DarthGremlin,

Thanks for the information. The name does not seem to relate to any program I know that adds usernames or user accounts, so that doesn't seem like it's related.

You're correct about how that deletion adjusted the user account (and it simply returned but to default settings instead of whatever was there before).

Checking for malware is important as it may be causing this (it's not common, but it is possible) and running the scans Richard recommended could be the answer - no guarantees, but it is worth a shot and I recommend it as the next step as well. If anything is discovered, please post back identifying the infection(s) by as complete names as the programs provide and we'll ask our security expert to take a look. I also like the latest suggestion he posted while I was typing this - it's certainly worth a try.

Is there a folder called C:\Users\Old Vance in Windows Explorer and does it contain anything at all (or did you move everything to the new user profile)? Please right click on the Old Vance folder and click on properties and then on security and make certain that you have full rights and ownership of the folder and all sub-folders and files (in both the main screen and in Advanced in the special permissions section and the ownership section). Once complete (and assuming you made any changes - especially if it had limited rights even for administrators), use the procedures Richard provided for deleting the account as the built-in Administrator to once again try to delete the user account. If you already had full rights and ownership, then this is not the cause and you need not proceed any further.

I hope this helps. If none of this helps, please post back and we'll do more research to see if we can find an answer to this problem. I'm beginning to wonder if there is some registry modification or group policy that is blocking the deletion of this account somehow - but will need time to look into that as I don't know how to do that and would need to know that before figuring out how to undo it (if in fact this is even a factor in the cause - at the moment it is just something I'm considering). Is this computer setup as a domain computer or a workgroup computer? If a workgroup computer, do you know if it ever was setup as a domain computer?

Good luck!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
    CPU
    2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
    Motherboard
    Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
    Memory
    2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
    Sound Card
    SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
    Case
    Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]

    Dell AIO Printer A940

    Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem

    6TO4 Adapter
    Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
    Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
    Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
    Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

    Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
Lets hope that one of the previous solutions works. There are several that you have not tried yet.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
When I updated to SP2 all of the issues went away. The user account that I had been trying to delete was deleted and all is well now. I guess that is just a lesson in keeping your system current.
 

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