Windows 11 24H2_English, "Your files, apps, and settings can't be kept...

1. Alternative Backup Solutions (Without OneDrive)​

• External Drive: Use an external USB drive or hard disk; simply copy your important folders (Documents, Pictures, Desktop, Downloads) onto it.
• Network Storage: If you have another PC on your network, use Windows File Sharing or a tool like Syncthing or FreeFileSync.
• Cloud Alternatives: Consider using Google Drive, Dropbox, or another free cloud storage provider if you’re comfortable with those.

2. Getting OneDrive Reinstalled​

1. Check if OneDrive is Still Installed:
   • Press Win + R, type onedrive, and hit Enter.
     If it launches, it’s just not set up.
2. Reinstall OneDrive:
   • Download the latest installer directly from Microsoft:
     Download OneDrive
   • Run the installer and follow the instructions.
3. If “OneDrive is already installed” Error Appears:
   • Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps and search for OneDrive.
   • If it shows up, click it and choose Uninstall.
   • After uninstalling, restart your PC, then run the installer again.
4. If OneDrive Won’t Appear or Install:
   • Open File Explorer and navigate to:
     C:\Windows\SysWOW64 (on 64-bit) or C:\Windows\System32 (on 32-bit)
   • Locate OneDriveSetup.exe and double-click it to reinstall.

3. Manual Files and Settings Backup Checklist​

• User Folders: Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, Downloads, Desktop (C:\Users\<YourName>\)
• Browser Bookmarks/Passwords: Export from your browser’s settings.
• Email Files: If you use Outlook or other clients, export data files.
• App Data: Some program settings are stored in C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\ (mostly Roaming).
• Licenses & Installers: Save software keys and installers for apps you’ll need to reinstall.

Quick Steps to Get OneDrive Working:​

1. Launch OneDrive Manually
   • Press Win + R, type onedrive, and press Enter.
   • If nothing happens, try searching for “OneDrive” in the Start menu and click it.
2. Sign In (or Reconnect)
   • If OneDrive opens, you should see a setup screen prompting you to sign in with your Microsoft account.
   • Enter your credentials and follow the prompts to complete sign-in.
3. Reset OneDrive (if it won’t launch or sign-in fails)
   • Press Win + R, copy-paste the following command, and hit Enter:
     %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
   • Wait a minute for OneDrive to reset. Then, try launching it again from the Start menu.
   • If it still doesn’t start, restart your PC and try again.
4. Reinstall if Problems Persist
   • Uninstall OneDrive (Settings → Apps → Installed apps → Search “OneDrive” → Uninstall).
   • Download the installer again from here and reinstall.
   • Repeat step 2.

If It Still Won’t Work:​

• Are you logged into Windows with a Local Account or a Microsoft Account? OneDrive may require a Microsoft Account.
• Do you get any error messages when trying to open or sign in? If yes, please share the exact error text.

ChatGPT said:

No problem, Henry! Let’s get OneDrive up and running.
If the app is installed but you can’t open it, and Windows Backup says you’re not logged in, this usually means the OneDrive setup process hasn’t completed or it’s not signed in with your Microsoft account.

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Quick Steps to Get OneDrive Working:​

1. Launch OneDrive Manually
   • Press Win + R, type onedrive, and press Enter.
   • If nothing happens, try searching for “OneDrive” in the Start menu and click it.
2. Sign In (or Reconnect)
   • If OneDrive opens, you should see a setup screen prompting you to sign in with your Microsoft account.
   • Enter your credentials and follow the prompts to complete sign-in.
3. Reset OneDrive (if it won’t launch or sign-in fails)
   • Press Win + R, copy-paste the following command, and hit Enter:
     %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
   • Wait a minute for OneDrive to reset. Then, try launching it again from the Start menu.
   • If it still doesn’t start, restart your PC and try again.
4. Reinstall if Problems Persist
   • Uninstall OneDrive (Settings → Apps → Installed apps → Search “OneDrive” → Uninstall).
   • Download the installer again from here and reinstall.
   • Repeat step 2.

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If It Still Won’t Work:​

• Are you logged into Windows with a Local Account or a Microsoft Account? OneDrive may require a Microsoft Account.
• Do you get any error messages when trying to open or sign in? If yes, please share the exact error text.

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Let me know what happens when you try these steps! If you encounter a specific error or blank launch, just describe the result and I’ll help troubleshoot further.

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1. Windows Hello PIN Not Recognized? Try These:​

On the Login Screen​

• Look for “Sign-in options” just below the PIN field (it might show an icon like a key or a little user silhouette).
• Click it—this should allow you to choose:
  - Password (your regular Microsoft account password)
  - Picture Password (if set up)
  - Security Key (if you use one)

If you don’t see “Sign-in options,” let me know—sometimes Windows Update can hide/mess with these.

Click to expand...

If Your Password Also Fails​

• Check for a “Reset PIN” or “Forgot PIN?” link under the PIN box.
  • This should prompt for your Microsoft account password (assuming you linked the device to it).
  • Follow the reset process.

2. If “Sign-in options” Are Missing or You’re Locked Out Completely​

• On the login screen, hold Shift and click “Restart.”
• When the blue options screen pops up, navigate:
  Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
• After reboot, select Safe Mode with Networking.
• Try logging in with your password, not PIN.
• If you get in, go to Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options, and remove/add your PIN again.

3. If You’re on a Local Account (not a Microsoft Account)​

• The steps are similar, but instead of your Microsoft password, use your local password (the one you set up with the account).

Forum Sessions/Account Issues​

• If you’re locked out of your primary account, that’s likely because the old browser session on your PC is still seen as active by the forum. Using your laptop and a different account is a good workaround, but you should be able to log back in on your main PC once Windows access is restored.

Let me know:​

• Are you offered “Sign-in options” on the PIN screen?
• Do you remember your Microsoft account password (if used)?
• Is your account a Microsoft online account or a local one?
• Any specific error when you enter the PIN?

What's Happening on Your Screen​

• Only the PIN box is active—no “Sign-in options” or password prompt.
• Three accounts show up: “first” (original?), “Henry,” and your wife’s account.
• You’re uncertain if you’re using a local or Microsoft account.

Immediate Steps to Try​

1. Switch Users:
   On the lock screen, can you click the other account names on the left or bottom corner? Try selecting each one—see if any give you a “Sign-in options” or password field.
2. Restart With Keyboard:
   Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
   If nothing changes, try clicking the power icon (if visible), then hold Shift while clicking “Restart.”
   If no restart menu appears, you might be facing a stuck or restricted login environment.
3. Accessing Recovery Environment (Force Hard Reboot):
   • Hold down your physical power button until the PC fully turns off.
   • Turn it on. As soon as you see the Windows logo, force shutdown again.
   • Repeat 3 times. On the next boot, Windows should enter “Automatic Repair.”
   • Click Advanced options, then proceed to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. See if you now get more options.

About Local vs. Microsoft Account​

• If you set up a local user, Windows won’t usually let you “reset” a PIN with your MS password.
• If you moved back to a Microsoft account, you need internet access to validate a password reset.

If Nothing Works (But You Have Files Backed Up)​

Questions & What to Try Next​

Usual “Advanced Options” Menu:​

1. Continue (exit recovery, boot into Windows)
2. Use a device (USB/DVD recovery media)
3. Troubleshoot (the option we want!)
   • Inside Troubleshoot:
     • Reset this PC (nuclear option: reinstall Windows, can keep or remove files)
     • Advanced options (here’s the goldmine)
       • Startup Repair
       • Startup Settings
         • This is where you can enable Safe Mode!
       • Command Prompt
       • Uninstall Updates
       • System Restore
       • Sometimes others like “UEFI Firmware Settings,” etc.

What to try:​

1. From Advanced options:
   Go to Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings
   Click “Restart.”
   When it restarts, you’ll see a numbered menu.
   Press 4 or F4 to enter Safe Mode (or 5/F5 for Safe Mode with Networking).
2. In Safe Mode:
   Try logging in—it will usually prompt for your password (not PIN).
   If you get in, you can manage accounts, reset PINs, or turn PIN login off under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
3. If That Fails:
   From within Advanced options (in Step 1), you might try:
   • Command Prompt: I can walk you through some commands to enable the hidden Administrator account, which sometimes rescues jammed logins.
   • Or, System Restore (if you have restore points).

If you want to post a picture:​

1. Enable the Built-in Administrator Account​

• If it says "The command completed successfully," that’s good.
• Now restart your PC. On the login screen, you should see a new “Administrator” account. Select it (no password by default) and log in.

2. Once In as Administrator​

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Family & other users (or just “Other users”).
2. Manage existing user accounts—reset passwords, convert accounts, or even delete problematic PINs under Sign-in options.

Optional: Remove PIN Requirement​

3. If You Need to Reset a Password (For Local Accounts Only)​

1. Did you see a success message?​

2. What does your locked login screen look like?​

3. Try a Direct Password Reset (For Local Account)​

4. If You're Stuck in Recovery (Not Normal Boot)​

• Double-check that you actually exit the recovery/advanced options menu to boot your existing Windows, not recovery again. Look for options like “Continue: Exit and continue to Windows 10/11.”

If none of this helps, describe exactly what is on-screen after your reboot. If possible, upload a photo or details of the accounts shown and any fields/buttons you see—that will pinpoint next steps!​

Key Points from Similar Cases​

• Sometimes, even after enabling the Administrator account with net user administrator /active:yes, the account does NOT show up at the login screen if something has corrupted user profiles, system files, or the Secure Boot/TPM config.
• You may only ever see your original locked-out account, with PIN as the only available login, if the system is severely stuck.
• Recent Windows 11 24H2 updates are notorious for causing exactly this—reset, update, or move to a local account, and suddenly PIN is your only login path and it’s broken. The normal “Sign-in options” button may simply not appear due to a TPM or Windows Hello subsystem breakage.

What Can You Try Now from Command Prompt?​

1. Delete Corrupted PIN Data (“NGC” folder)​

1. From Command Prompt, type:
   explorer.exe
   • This should open File Explorer (even in the recovery environment or WinRE). If it doesn’t, let me know.
2. Navigate to:
   C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft
   • You might need to enable “Hidden Items” in the View menu.
   • Delete the entire NGC folder (if allowed).
3. Reboot and check if you now get an option to enter password or set up a new PIN.

2. Use “System Restore” from WinRE​

• In the Advanced options menu, find “System Restore.”
• Roll back to a date before this problem.
• This often fixes boot/login traps caused by bad updates.

3. Last Resort: “Reset this PC” (Keep My Files)​

• Only if you’re confident your files are backed up (OneDrive, etc.).
• In the Troubleshoot menu, use “Reset this PC” → “Keep my files.”
• This will reinstall Windows but keep personal files; apps will need reinstalling.

Important: If “explorer.exe” Fails​

Why Is This Happening?​

• Updates (like 24H2) or switching between local/Microsoft accounts can sometimes corrupt the system’s authentication subsystem (particularly with Windows Hello/PIN), trapping you in a broken login with no alternatives.
• Even commands like net user administrator /active:yes can't recover if the login UI itself is malfunctioning due to these bugs.

Let me know if you manage to:​

• Delete NGC and reboot,
• Run System Restore,
• Or are forced to consider a Reset.