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OK, make sure you back up everything first and keep me posted.

I do the gold standard Clean Install

So I think you're realizing this when you say you'll unplug the other drives to format C. I would be sure to unRAID any RAID you have connected first before installing to your fastest drive.Do NOT have RAID turned on Set in the BIOS AHCI

going to reinstall only on the M.2 drive disconnect the other dirves and see if it auto start

Reviewing the thread I notice you have some kind of RAID with a variety of SSD's, M2 and HDD? Did you keep this when you reinstalled or did you unRAID them and use only the fastest drive to reinstall Windows upon?

The reason I ask is that I've never seen anything but problems with RAID's like that, including lost files in countless cases where they were supposedly redundant and one drive dies. With today's huge, fast SSD's and backup imaging there is no good reason to have such a RAID configuration except to cause problems like the one you're having now!

So I think you're realizing this when you say you'll unplug the other drives to format C. I would be sure to unRAID any RAID you have connected first before installing to your fastest drive.

Then, in case you need them I will give you all possible steps to troubleshoot Windows installation failure that I've given to thousands of others in this situation and which work in about 90% of cases. If not we'll go from there:

Follow the gold standard Clean Install steps in this tutorial which compiles the best possible install that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Make sure all other drives and peripherals are unplugged. Update the BIOS or UEFI firmware to latest, or reset to Defaults, making sure (if you have it) UEFI is enabled, CSM or Legacy BIOS disabled, Windows Boot Manager set first to boot, if necessary disable Secure and Fast Boot until after install, set SATA controller to AHCI, Save changes and Exit. Access BIOS/UEFI Setup as shown here: https://www.mydigitallife.net/comprehensive-lis... https://www.groovypost.com/howto/reset-pc-bios-...

Create the latest Windows 10 Installation Media by installing Media Creation Tool and following the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m....

If you're using another PC to do this uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only. Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first. If you can start Windows enter UEFI firmware here: http://www.isunshare.com/windows-password/four-...

The media may also be bad, so confirm it boots and queues up per these steps in another PC, or else recreate it. You can also try a DVD, or the alternate download site from MS TechBench here: https://tb.rg-adguard.net/public.php. Burn to DVD using WIndows Image Burner or create bootable flash using one of the options here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2376-create...

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on first screen press Shift + F10 to open a Command Prompt, type the following commands, each followed by Enter key:

DISKPART

LIST DISK

SEL DIS # (replace # with the disk # of the Windows disk from list in previous command)

CLEAN EXIT

Close Command Box, on second screen choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen choose Unallocated Space, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof.

Make sure to follow the setup steps in the first link tutorial to complete your install. Drivers are important enough that those steps are printed in red. If installation stalls or won't complete, try disconnecting from the internet. You will get and keep the best possible install to the exact extent you stick with the steps, tools and methods in the first linked tutorial. It's a better install than any amount of money could buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC.

Failures and errors during the Setup phase can often be overcome by disconnecting from the internet, e.g. unplug router.

If all else fails you can move the hard drive to another PC to do the install with it plugged in alone. Windows 10 is remarkably adaptive to new hardware without needing adaptive restore. If it will start it will swap out all drivers requiring several restarts. You can also try applying a same-version System Image to the intact SSD/hard drive.

Please report back the results of each step so I know what else to suggest.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

morning Greg

So does only the ghost account fail to start? yes

The Sign In Options link should appear nearby wherever you sign into Windows, so you can change to password or any other method you have set up. If it is not present it usually means the account is corrupted and needs repair or replacement. only gives option to change pin no password link in set up win 11 there is no password section in accounts

To try to repair the account:
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/corrupted-user-p... done did not work

To fix a duplicate account appearing on log-in screen - same issue and fixes in Windows 10 and 11:

https://softwarekeep.com/help-center/how-to-fix... done did not work

https://thegeekpage.com/duplicate-usernames-app... done did not work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EURLH229mcdone did not work

When you reinstalled Windows did you do a Clean Install which means wiping all partitions off the drive during Custom Install with the very latest media booted as UEFI device? Does the ghost account appear before installing any Updates, apps, mods, etc?
i formatted the drive before install

ghost account starts after win 11 finished install and u do manual restart

what i might do is disconnect my other 2 drives and format drive c:\ and try reinstall again

So does only the ghost account fail to start?

The Sign In Options link should appear nearby wherever you sign into Windows, so you can change to password or any other method you have set up. If it is not present it usually means the account is corrupted and needs repair or replacement.

To try to repair the account:

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/corrupted-user-p...

To fix a duplicate account appearing on log-in screen - same issue and fixes in Windows 10 and 11:

https://softwarekeep.com/help-center/how-to-fix...

https://thegeekpage.com/duplicate-usernames-app...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EURLH229mc

When you reinstalled Windows did you do a Clean Install which means wiping all partitions off the drive during Custom Install with the very latest media booted as UEFI device? Does the ghost account appear before installing any Updates, apps, mods, etc?

This is highly strange because with fresh media, wiped drive, and nothing added yet, it should not even have the chance to corrupt like that.