Windows 7: Preparing your desktop....C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop refers to a location that is unavailable.

Anonymous

C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop refers to a location that is unavailable.

This problem occours after a reboot but does not happen with any rhym or rhythm (seems random). Login screen appears, im the only user, my pic and user name appear correctly, i type my password and hit enter, then it gets wierd, it says that it is preparing my desktop; But this is not the first time for logging in. then when i do log in its a new desktop everyting default plus the windows aero is shut off and replaced with the Windows classic theme. then i get the message in the taskbar..... Your user profile was not loaded correctly! You have been logged on with a temporary profile. Changes you make to this profile will be lost when you log off. Please see the event log for details or contact your system administrator. Event viewer revals nothing related to this issue that i could find. Only 3 occourances of this so far. I am operaing Windows 7 Professional 64 bit. I have only seen one other mention of this elseware after a google search but was during RC version I have version 6.1.7600 build 7600 and am having this problem rumors are that it happens with Symantec Endpoint Protection installed which i do I have, Version 11.0.5002.333 which is the latest build update and was created for windows 7 compatibility. SEP Logs reveal nothing abnormal besides files that could not be scanned once but did not mention the above file location. Just wanting to see if anyone else has been having this problem.

Also I believe this to happen after a remote desktop connection either to or from the client pc then a reboot or a shut down.

Mentioned here in brief http://www.xiirus.net/articles/article-windows-7-preparing-your-desktop-woe-mbp3t.aspx

and here in vista http://www.xiirus.net/articles/article-vista-your-user-profile-was-not-loaded-correctly-cuu82.aspx < i do notice in the screenshot here that SEP is installed on that computer

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Anonymous

I don't know if this is going to be of any help, but here's a situation I ran into recently that I hope gets you closer to the solution.

Brief History

While testing out a new Win 7 image build, I had to make numerous changes to default user profile and default user hive to make the necessary adjustments that should only happen once per user. However, once I logged on, tested and made any additional adjustment(s), I couldn't just log out and back on because the profile was already created. I would need to start from scratch.

Like we currently do in Win XP, I deleted my existing profile and left it at that. On subsequent logons however I noticed that my changes weren't 'coming down' and adjustments I made to the profile weren't sticking. It was at that point I realized I was logging on with a temporary profile.

SolutionIn my case I not only had to delete (or rename) my user profile, but I also had to go into the registry and remove/rename the profile SID (well I think its the SID, or user GUID of some sort) for the profile I deleted.

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
Look at each SID/GUID
Check the ProfileImagePath to confirm you've selected the proper SID/GUID
Once you have the right one, delete the key or rename it (like append .BAK to the name)

Once I deleted the profile, all worked well again.

Now for you, I know that removing or renaming your profile may not be the most desirable solution, but if you try the suggestion above, or simply create a new account, it should help isolate where the problem lies.

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Anonymous

2010-11-17T01:17:19+00:00

I found a solution to this problem searching the web, wish I could find the article again but the solution was simple but VERY ODD

Copy your desktop folder from C:\users\USERNAME\DESKTOP

To

C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop

It makes no sense once so ever, I copied it, instantly the desktop items show up, I made changed to one of the text files on the desktop then rebooted. The text file changes were gone, sort of, the proper C:\users... Desktop was loaded the changed I made to the text file persisted in:

C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop

I can only say that I’m a bit freaked out:

1. Why is windows 7 attempting to load my desktop from a clearly protected folderC:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop (Is this some kind of shadow copy for boot up?)

2. Will this happen again and when it does will I be running my PC for days without realizing I am using the desktop at C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop

I am a software developer, so I am no slouch, but I am also not windows OS specialist, so this is freaking me out a bit.
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Anonymous

2010-11-24T21:46:26+00:00

I don't have a good answer, but I do have a work around, at least for my configuration. I've had this issue with both Vista Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate; I discovered by chance that the error only happens if I don't wait long enough between Windows start-up and logging on. If I wait untill disk activity slows down, the correct desktop is displayed. If I rush things, "preparing your desktop" will appear. I suspect there's a sequence issue with start-up programs; however, I haven't discovered which one.
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Anonymous

2011-03-08T19:18:22+00:00

I to have the same issue sporadically across 100 Windows 7 machines on a domain.

I do have SEP installed however its probably not directly at fault, but it may aid to the problem, if it is related to logging in quickly.

Ideally we need dependency's required for login to be loaded before the Icons, or Ctrl+Alt+Delete message appears. Possibly a fix with SP1 but I haven't tried yet.
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Anonymous

2011-03-12T20:27:56+00:00

I am having the same problem as well, but i am running Windows 7 Untimate - 32 bit. has been happening for quite a while now.
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