- #1
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the presence of 'Unknown' users in Windows 7 installations, exploring potential causes, implications, and solutions. Participants share personal experiences and technical insights related to user account management and system behavior.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants express concern about the 'Unknown' user accounts, questioning whether they could be a sign of a virus.
- One participant suggests that these accounts may appear after copying files to a new installation.
- Another participant mentions reclaiming ownership and deleting the unknown accounts but remains puzzled about their initial presence.
- It is noted that sometimes software installations can create unknown accounts, and if the system operates normally, it may not be a significant issue.
- A participant introduces the idea of checking the GUIDs in the registry to investigate the origins of the unknown accounts.
- Clarification is provided regarding GUIDs, explaining their role in uniquely identifying elements within the Windows registry.
- A question is raised about whether the computer was ever part of a domain, as this could affect account information retrieval when disconnected from the network.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on the cause of the 'Unknown' users, with multiple competing views regarding their origins and implications remaining unresolved.
Contextual Notes
Some assumptions about the system's history, such as previous domain connections or software installations, are not fully explored, leaving uncertainty about the exact reasons for the presence of unknown accounts.
Who May Find This Useful
Users experiencing similar issues with unknown accounts in Windows 7, IT professionals troubleshooting user account management, and those interested in Windows registry functions.
- #2
Borg
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Have you been copying files to a new installation?
How to fix "Account Unknown".
How to fix "Account Unknown".
- #3
adjacent
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No.Borg said:
Ah,finally its gone. I reclaimed my ownership and deleted those accounts. However,I can't still understand why this unknown username was present there. Has this happened with thy computer before?
- #4
Borg
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Probably. I usually just delete accounts that I don't recognize. Sometimes software installations will create accounts like that. If everything else is operating OK, then I wouldn't worry too much about it. I would just check over the next few weeks to see if they reappear. If so, then a lookup of the GUIDs in the registry would be in order.adjacent said:
- #5
adjacent
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What is that? And why do thou do that? (Borg said:
This old fashioned English is very funny. Is it allowed here,Mentors?)- #6
Borg
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adjacent said:What is that? And why do thou do that? (
The GUID is a Global Unique IDentifier. It's that S-1-... part in the parenthesis. The Windows registry heavily uses that to uniquely identify things. If you search for the GUIDs from the unknown users, you'll probably find that it references some software that you've installed.
- #7
Routaran
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Was this computer ever part of a domain?
When a domain system is disconnected from the network, account information cannot be retrieved because the computer cannot reach the active directory for user info.
When a domain system is disconnected from the network, account information cannot be retrieved because the computer cannot reach the active directory for user info.