Did you accidentally deleted a vital system file? Windows failed to load because of missing or corrupt system files? In this tutorial we’ll show you how to repair corrupt or missing system files using the Windows built-in command line utility – SFC (System File Checker). SFC is built into Windows 10/8/7/Vista that can scan your system files for corruption or modification. If a file is missing or modified, it will automatically replace that file with the correct version.
- Windows 10 Error Windows System32 Config Systemprofile Desktop Is Unavailable
- Windows 10 C /windows/system32/config/systemprofile/desktop 20is 20unavailable
When your Windows system won’t load normally, start it in Safe Mode or boot off Windows Setup DVD, and you can also use the SFC command to repair corrupt or missing system files, without having to reinstall the whole OS.
Note:Though these guides are written for Windows 10 and Windows 8, a very similar process will work for Windows 7, Vista or XP.
- About the “ WINDOWSSYSTEM32CONFIGSYSTEM is missing or corrupt ” error The following information on this error has been compiled by NeoSmart Technologies, based on the information gathered and reported by our global network of engineers.
- Note: the folders of each of these commands are renamed as you press Enter, and once this is done, Windows 10 won’t use them again.They can be deleted, but you’re better off renaming in case you need to do a system restore much later.
Method 1: Repair System Files After Logging into Windows
Besides fixing 'Windows System32 Config System is Corrupt or Missing' issue, Windows Boot Genius could fix a wide range of computer problems including Windows black screen of death, computer keeps restarting, BOOTMGR is missing error, etc.
- Open an elevated Command Prompt. To do this, press the Windows key + X to open the Quick Access menu and then select “Command Prompt (Admin)“.
- In the Command Prompt, run the following command:
sfc /scannow
- Just keep waiting & be patient because running this command will take quite a bit of time. The scan results will be shown after this process is finished. If you see a “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them” message, try reboot into Safe Mode and run the SFC command again, or try the method below.
Method 2: Repair System Files Offline When Windows Won’t Boot
If Windows cannot start because some of system files are corrupted or missing, just boot your computer from Windows Installation DVD and you can repair the system files offline. If you don’t have a Windows Installation DVD, you can borrow one from a friend or use a Recovery Drive created in any computer running Windows 10/8.
- Insert the Windows Installation DVD and set up your computer to boot from optical drive (You might need to change the boot priority in the UEFI / BIOS). Press a key when prompted to boot from DVD.
- Once booted to the DVD, you’ll see the familiar Windows installation language-selection screen. Click Next.
- Click on “Repair your computer“.
- When you are asked to choose an option for how you want to continue. Click Troubleshoot.
- Next click “Advanced options“.
- On the next screen, click “Command Prompt“.
- In the Command Prompt, use the dir command to find the drive letter of your Windows partition. In my example, C: is the System Reserved partition and D: is my actual Windows partition.
- Now run the SFC command to repair your Windows installation. It will scan all your system files, identify those that are corrupt or missing and try to fix the problems it find.
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=D: /offwindir=D:windows
Remember to replace D: with the actual drive letter of your Windows partition.
When the scan is complete, remove the installation DVD and restart your computer to check if your problem is fixed. To perform the recovery experiment, I intentionally deleted a system file c:windowssystem32sechc.exe, and the file can be restored successfully by running the SFC command.
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Last updated on February 11th, 2019
The following error may appear after updating Windows 10: 'C:Windowssystem32configsystemprofileDesktop is unavailable. If the location is on this PC, make sure the device or drive is connected or the disc is inserted, and then try again. If the location is on a network, make sure you're connected to the network or Internet, and then try again. If the location still can't be found, it might have been moved or deleted.'
How to FIX Windows 10 Error: C:Windowssystem32configsystemprofileDesktop is unavailable.
Suggestion: The 'C:Windowssystem32configsystemprofileDesktop is unavailable' error, commonly appears because the Windows update installation isn't completed yet, or it is not completed successfully. So, before troubleshooting the problem, make sure that all the available updates are installed and also restart your PC (2-3 times) to complete the installation.
Method 1. Perform a Full System Shutdown.
Method 2. Create the missing Desktop folder from the Windows GUI.
Method 3. Create the missing Desktop folder from Advanced Startup Options.
Method 4. Go Back to a Previous Windows Version (Build).
![Windows 10 System32 Config System Windows 10 System32 Config System](/uploads/1/2/4/8/124895606/684711922.png)
Method 5. Uninstall the latest update from Advanced Startup Options.
Method 6. Restore Windows 10 to a Previous Working State.
Method 7. Repair Windows 10 with an in-place Upgrade.
Method 1. Fully Shutdown your PC.
The first method to resolve the 'C:Windowssystem32configsystemprofileDesktop is unavailable' error is to fully shutdown the PC in order to force Windows 10 to reinitialize the device drives and the system files from scratch.
1. Click the Start menu and then click the Power button.
2. Now press and HOLD DOWN the SHIFT key (on your keyboard) and then click Shutdown.
2. Now press and HOLD DOWN the SHIFT key (on your keyboard) and then click Shutdown.
3. Power On your PC.
Method 2. Create the missing Desktop folder from the Windows GUI.
The second method to fix the 'C:Windowssystem32configsystemprofileDesktop is unavailable ' issue is to create the missing 'Desktop' folder manually and then to restart the PC. To do that:
1. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to: C:WindowsSystem32configsystemprofile
2. Right click at an empty space and select New -> Folder.
3. Name the new folder Desktop and click Enter. *
* Note: If you cannot create the folder because you receive an 'access denied' error, then proceed to method-3 below.
4. Restart your PC.
Method 3. Create the missing Desktop folder from Advanced Startup Options.
1. Click the Start menu and then click the Power button.
2. Now press and HOLD DOWN the SHIFT key (on your keyboard) and then click Restart.
3. At Recovery options, go to: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > > Command Prompt.
2. Now press and HOLD DOWN the SHIFT key (on your keyboard) and then click Restart.
3. At Recovery options, go to: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > > Command Prompt.
4. The computer will restart. After restart, click on a user with (administrative privileges) and then type your password.
5. Now, find out on which disk Windows were installed. To do that, in the command prompt window, give the following command: *
- dir C:
* Note: If the Windows directory is displayed, then continue to the next step, otherwise continue by typing the next alphabet letter until you find which drive contains the Windows folder (e.g. dir d: , dir e:. dir f:, etc.).
(In this example the Windows folder is located at drive D:)
6. Then type the following command to create the missing folder and press Enter: *
- md X:WindowsSystem32configsystemprofileDesktop
* Note: Where X = the Windows drive letter. (replace according your case)
(In this example the command will be: md D:WindowsSystem32configsystemprofileDesktop )
7. Close the command prompt window.
8. Click Continue, to exit from the recovery options and boot to Windows 10.
8. Click Continue, to exit from the recovery options and boot to Windows 10.
Method 4. Go Back to a version Of Windows 10.
The next method to resolve the 'desktop is unavailable' error in Windows 10, is to restore your system to the previous version of Windows (Build). To do that: *
* Suggestion: Backup your files, before restoring your system to the previous version.
1. From Start menu choose Settings > Update and security.
2. Select Recovery at the left and then click the Get Started button under the Go back to an earlier build section.
2. Select Recovery at the left and then click the Get Started button under the Go back to an earlier build section.
3. Choose a reason for going back (e.g. 'For another reason') and press Next.
4. At 'Check for updates' options click No, thanks to continue.
4. At 'Check for updates' options click No, thanks to continue.
5. Read all the information at the next screen and click Next.
6. If you have changed your password, after installing the latest build, make sure that you remember your old password and press Next.
7. Finally click Go back to earlier build and wait until the process is completed.
7. Finally click Go back to earlier build and wait until the process is completed.
Method 5. Uninstall the latest update from Advanced Startup Options.
1. Click the Start menu and then click the Power button.
2. Now press and HOLD DOWN the SHIFT key (on your keyboard) and then click Restart.
2. Now press and HOLD DOWN the SHIFT key (on your keyboard) and then click Restart.
3. At Recovery options, go to: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates.
4. At 'Uninstall Updates' options, choose Uninstall latest quality update if you face the problem after installing a Cumulative monthly update, or select Uninstall latest feature update, if you facing the problem after updating Windows to its latest build. *
* Note: If you don't know which type of update to uninstall, then try first to uninstall the latest quality update. If you face the same error after booting to Windows, then perform the same steps to reach the 'Uninstall Updates' options and then Uninstall the latest feature update.
5. At the next screen click the Uninstall update button.
6. When the Uninstall is completed click Done
7. Finally, click Continue, to exit from the recovery options and boot to Windows 10.
Method 6. Restore Windows 10 to a Previous Working State.
To restore your system to a previous working state:
1. Click the Start menu and then click the Power button.
2. Now press and HOLD DOWN the SHIFT key (on your keyboard) and then click Restart.
2. Now press and HOLD DOWN the SHIFT key (on your keyboard) and then click Restart.
3. At Recovery options, go to: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
6. Select an account with administrative privileges, type a password for that account and click Continue.
Windows 10 Error Windows System32 Config Systemprofile Desktop Is Unavailable
7. Click Next at the first screen and then check the Show more restore points checkbox, to select an earlier working state from the list and press Next.
8. Review your selection and if you agree, press Finish.
9. Finally press Yes to confirm your decision.
9. Finally press Yes to confirm your decision.
10. Now wait until the restore process is completed. During the restore process, your computer will restart several times and when it's done, you should enter in Windows without problems.
Windows 10 C /windows/system32/config/systemprofile/desktop 20is 20unavailable
Method 7. Repair Windows 10 with an in-place Upgrade.
The final method to resolve Windows 10 problems, is to create a Windows 10 DVD or USB installation media, by using the Media Creation tool, and then to repair Windows 10. For that task follow the detailed instructions in this article: How to Repair Windows 10 with an in-place Upgrade.
That's it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
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