Solved Windows Update Interrupted + User Deletion

Howdy everyone!

I'm not certain where to post this thread.

My main workstation with Windows 11 (I think 24h2) is in a pickle! From what I've read since a possible Windows update was power interrupted, my main admin user is just gone... This profile was used to encrypt 4 drives (SSD/HDD) in this system and is linked to a Microsoft account. The backup BRKs linked in the MS account are incorrect because I tried all 3 located there. I have access to 3 of those drives; however, the system drive is inaccessible. My local backup BRK files are inaccessible also. They seem to be locked to the specific user that created them. I've tried taking ownership, modifying permissions, removing and creating all new non-inherited drive permissions (thumb) and no matter what permissions are changed, no access to a local BRK text files. However, I do have accessible user profile credential backups for the main user that was deleted.

I have a local admin account setup on this node and Windows is unable to load this profile. Something similar to, "user profile service service failed to sign in." "Unable to load user profile."

The system has no problem booting to the sign in screen but that's the wall. No further at this point, but it is using the proper key to get there. No safe mode; no recovery mode; no other way to read those text files.


I've never even tried to access a command prompt at that screen and have never heard of accessing Windows in such a manner.

I'm going to try to access the, what is file type, .crd I think. The credentials backup to see what's stored there but I bet it's user locked too.

Is there nothing more than formatting and starting over?

Turn off BitLocker and use one of the method from my video to access your personal files and back them up, then perform clean installation.


This guide contains step-by-step instructions to backup files if Windows cannot start normally.

Don't forget to try to restore Windows 11 using System Restore tool.

How can anyone turn off bitlocker if they're unable to sign into Windows?

FALKLAN said:

How can anyone turn off bitlocker if they're unable to sign into Windows?

Click to expand...

From recovery environment Command Prompt.


Haven't you visited this below website?

As I stated earlier, recovery environment is inaccessible due to requiring bitlocker key. However, I will attempt this using a dock connected to a different node asap.

How about you boot to recovery mode using Windows 11 installation media.

FreeBooter said:

How about you boot to recovery mode using Windows 11 installation media.

Click to expand...

It does not recognize the encrypted drive. While the drive is docked on a different system Windows disk manager does recognize the drive; however, it will not allow drive letter assignment. I presume this is why the RE is unable to recognize it.

I've reached another stop point. I took a different drive and setup Win 11 on it. I then used the Windows image backup to restore from the backup point. I also restored the user credentials from a backup copy. At this point I can access the BRK files and have the key for the encrypted system drive. The problem remains because there is no user access because the user was deleted and the local admin account will not load.

All I want from that drive is something I was working on when this happened.

Now that I think about this... Those files were in the user's download folder and they were deleted with the user account. SOB...

How do you normally access this system? Local or MS account? Did you enable bitlocker or it can be enabled as part of using a MS account.

Even if the account was deleted you should be able to recover. If you can decrpyt the disk then you can run something like undelete or testdisk and recover the data.

Data isn't actually deleted when Windows deletes files. It simply marks the locations in the MFT as usable. Data is only potentially overridden by new data never actually deleted.

If you use a MS account you can go here, sign in and have access to your recovery keys

I eventually loaded Windows on a different drive and then I created the same user. After that I imported the credentials and linked the Microsoft account. I then had access to the system drive.

It worked out in the end.