deleting users

although i have done this a million times,for some reason I cannot delete a user account from windows.Again I lent this computer to a family member ,under 25, and they installed some weird stuff. I have run superspyware, malware bytes and of course a lic. version of avg all with no concerns. After I try to remove usert account computer freeze. I am able to do everything else, like changing password,making it a limited acount but not delete it..help again please.


joe

 

Remove the user account in safemode (f8) at next boot.

Start > Control Panel > User Accounts > choose user you wish to delete then follow prompts.

Account should be gone on next boot into windows.

iain.t :major

 

Hello again Iain.t..As i said when i try to delete account it gives me the hour glass but when i wait then click to close it says program not responding. I have already changes the user to a limited access as well as deleted files but as soon as i choose to delete program not responding.

Joe
.

 

Hello Joe,
Are you attempting this in SAFEMODE ??

Take a look here...

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/.../proddocs/en-us/lsm_delete_user.mspx?mfr=true

hope this helps.

Iain.

 

No I am not in safe mode just as administrator

 

I have onl 2 accounts on this puter. The user I am trying to delte I have already changed to limited user. Guest account is turned off.

joe

 

Joe Please boot into SAFEMODE (press f8 on reboot) you will be given choice of either ADMIN/Your user and the account that you want deleting. Enter the ADMIN account as this is the main account for your operating system...
wait for it to load the go to ... Start > Control Panel > User Accounts > choose the user account that you want rid of and delete this account (fully delete account by deleting files also) follow the prompts and when done reboot into normal windows mode, the problem account will be gone.

Iain.

 

Hello David,
Joe's OS is XP at sp3.

Iain.

 

thanks peple gonna take a minute to do, have to change keyoards, using a wireless. It won't reconize iton reboot.

 

Ok this is different. When I boot in safe mode the account i am trying to delete is not there. When i reboot in normal mode the account shows back up. I am feeling rather stupid right now

 

Ok. Joe,
So in safemode in the 'admin' account the account you are trying to delete is not shown ??.
Have you tried the MS fix for it that I linked for you..

When you need to remove user accounts, it is a good idea to disable the accounts first.....

Start> Control Panel> Performance and Maintenance> Administative Tools> Computer Management > System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users> Right-click the user account you want to delete, and then click Delete.

Hopefully this will do the trick .

Iain.
************************************
Sorry David posted at the same time

 

OK I looked at computer management but cannot find local users and groups.I looked at your screenshot and mine is not the same

 

HaHa david I knew you were going to ask me that. Only I don't know how to take a screen shot or how to send it I have never had to use one.



Joe

 

Here are screen shots of how to do it.....

To take a screen shot yourself .... on the screen that needs a shot to be taken of press Prt Sc SysRq button (next to f12) then open Paint and hit the paste button then save and name it .

Iain.

 

hope i got it right

 

trying again.
http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/5303/ss1t.th.png

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

Hi Joe,
I'm just having a quick look around to see if I can find a fix for this, it is strange that you do not have the Local User and Groups option in there!! David may come up with a fix quicker than me as he is MS Credited, I'm just posting to let you know that I am on it for you ok.

Iain.

 

Hi Joe,
I've had a read around and found these fixes.....

1.)Start ->Run -> type -> lusrmgr.msc
see if that will bring up the local users and groups.
If that does not work then try the next fix.......

2.)Try starting a new MMC console by going to Start -> Run -> type -> mmc
This willbring up a blank console. Go to File -> Add/Remove Snap-In and click Add...

From the list, select local users and groups, from the dialog box that
appears select Local Computer. Click finish and the console window should
display properly. If this doesn't work it could suggest an underlying problem like malware/virus.
Let me know how you get on.

iain.t :major

 

**********************************************************
SCRATCH THAT JOE..... Local Users and groups option in Computer Management is not available on your Edition of XP Home.... it is only available in XP Pro and on-wards. I will keep searching for a fix.

iain.t :major

 

thanks iaint i was right in the middle of sending you the same message.I will hang around till we figure it out


Joe

 

You don't by any chance have a restore point prior to as of when the other account was created ?? I am at a loss at the moment (tiredness), you may also try deleting the user profiles then try deleting the account again....

1. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
2. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Advanced tab, and then click Settings in the User Profiles area.
3. In the User Profile dialog box, select the individual profile that you want to delete.
4. Click Delete, and then confirm the action.
5. Click OK.
6. Control Panel.-> User Accounts.-> try to delete the account.

iain.t :major

 

Hi Joe,
Try this ...

1. Go to Start
2. Run
3. Type "control userpasswords2" (without the quotes)
4. Then in the User Account screen, select the user you want to delete
5. Click "Remove"
6. When it asks you "Are you sure?" click Yes.

iain.t :major

 

SUCCESS: thanks again iainT seems when your tired your still good.Now you can go have a snooze.as for me think i'll have a wee dram now...

 

Excellent Joe,
Thanks for sticking with me whilst I found a solution,You deserve to have a wee dram or two, I would join you but I don't drink, turns me into an ogre and think I can fight the world, caused more trouble than enough :cry so I stay away from it now .

Take care Joe and any more issues just create a new thread and someone will try and assist and resolve it.

iain.t :major

 

Also, Try Start>Run>type in control userpasswords2

do you see the account that you want to delete ?

Mav