Windows 11: Reinstall breaks Microsoft account sign‑in (OneDrive, Store, Feedback etc.)

Question

Windows 11: Reinstall breaks Microsoft account sign‑in (OneDrive, Store, Feedback etc.)

Stefan Ganev 0

I have a serious authentication problem on a newly installed Windows system that makes the laptop almost unusable.

This is a clean, recent Windows installation (not an upgrade). There is effectively no update history to roll back to.

I can only sign in to Windows using a local account. Any Microsoft account–based sign‑in (for example adding an account under Settings, OneDrive, Store, Feedback, support) either fails or hangs.

OneDrive cannot sign in at all, so syncing files is impossible.

Microsoft Store fails with an authentication / connection error and will not let me download or update apps.

Feedback Hub and other built‑in apps that require a Microsoft account also fail to authenticate, which means I cannot use the standard feedback and support channels from this device.

I have already tried multiple full resets / clean reinstalls of Windows on this laptop. The symptoms return immediately even on a fresh installation.

Because all Microsoft account authentication on this device is broken, your normal guidance (use Feedback Hub, sign in to Store, or roll back specific updates) is not usable in my situation. This is not an enterprise machine and not using a cloned corporate image; it is a personal laptop that should work out of the box. There is no problem with my personal account, and this is genuine Windows.

Moved from: Microsoft Security | Microsoft Authenticator

5 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Hi Stefan Ganev,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum. I understand that you’re dealing with Microsoft account authentication failure on a clean Windows 11 installation. Please press Win + R, type services.msc and ensure these are Running and Startup Type = Automatic:

Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant
Credential Manager
User Profile Service
Workstation

Also, try to run these commands in elevated PowerShell:

wsreset.exe
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore | Reset-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.OneDrive | Reset-AppxPackage

Then restart.

The initial response might not address the problem. So, if your problem persists or you need any assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Post Answer" if you cannot add comment. This helps me can read your follow up. Thanks for your effort.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Best regards.

Answer 2

Stefan Ganev 0

Did all that. No change.

Sin-D 6,080 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-13T08:11:04.31+00:00
Hi,

Thanks for your response. Please check Network & TLS, open Internet Options > Advanced. Ensure TLS 1.2 is enabled and disable any proxy/VPN temporarily.

Also, try to repair System Image

Run:

sfc /scannow DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This fixes missing components that break account sign-in.
Stefan Ganev 0 Reputation points

2025-12-13T17:14:56.8366667+00:00

TLS 1.2 is enabled. No proxi or VPN. The scan command did not find issues. DISM... executed successfuly. No change at all. Still having the problem.
Sin-D 6,080 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-14T07:35:00.8266667+00:00
Hi,

Thanks for your response. Please open PowerShell (Admin) and run:

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.AccountsControl | Remove-AppxPackage Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.CloudExperienceHost | Remove-AppxPackage Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Foreach { Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml" }

This forces re-registration of sign-in components.

Also, clear Cached Credentials. Navigate to C:\Users\<YourUser>\AppData\Local\Packages\. Delete folders related to:

Microsoft.Windows.CloudExperienceHost

Microsoft.AccountsControl

Answer 3

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.AccountsControl | Remove-AppxPackage Remove-AppxPackage : Deployment failed with HRESULT: 0x80073CFA, Removal failed. Please contact your software vendor.

(Exception from HRESULT: 0x80073CFA)

error 0x80070032: AppX Deployment Remove operation on package

Microsoft.AccountsControl_10.0.26100.1_neutral__cw5n1h2txyewy from:

C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.AccountsControl_cw5n1h2txyewy failed. This app is part of Windows and cannot be

uninstalled on a per-user basis. An administrator can attempt to remove the app from the computer using Turn Windows

Features on or off. However, it may not be possible to uninstall the app.

NOTE: For additional information, look for [ActivityId] b0c0e327-6c50-000c-676f-c1b0506cdc01 in the Event Log or use

the command line Get-AppPackageLog -ActivityID b0c0e327-6c50-000c-676f-c1b0506cdc01

At line:1 char:45

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.AccountsControl | Remove-AppxPackage
```
                                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
```
- CategoryInfo : WriteError: (Microsoft.Accou...__cw5n1h2txyewy:String) [Remove-AppxPackage], IOException
- FullyQualifiedErrorId : DeploymentError,Microsoft.Windows.Appx.PackageManager.Commands.RemoveAppxPackageCommand

Answer 4

Stefan Ganev 0

The problem happens with Win Version 25H2. During installation it forces me into this version. On another PC I have 22H2 and it works fine with same MS account. Is not this a known problem that Microsoft is supposed to fix in 25H2?

Still no solution. None of the suggested "fixes" actually works.

Sin-D 6,080 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-15T07:36:00.98+00:00
Hi,

Thanks for response. Please choose one of these:

Use Windows 11 Installation Assistant Download from Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11. Choose Installation Assistant, not the ISO, it still offers 23H2 on some regions/hardware.

Use an older ISO directly (guaranteed) Download official 22H2/23H2 ISO from UUPDump or MSDN if you have access. During setup, disconnect the internet to prevent forced 25H2 upgrade.

After installing 22H2 or 23H2, before reconnecting to the internet, create a reg file named Block25H2.reg:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings] "SvOfferDeclined"=dword:00000001 "DisableWindowsUpdate"=dword:00000001

Then Save > right‑click > Merge > Yes > OK. Reboot before connecting to the internet.

Answer 5

Stefan Ganev 0

Windows 11 Installation Assistant offers only 25H2. ISO created through UUP Dump fails to install.

Sin-D 6,080 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-16T07:06:45.2833333+00:00
Hi,

Thanks for your response. Windows Setup forces 25H2 only if Dynamic Updates are enabled. Disable them, and Setup will install the version included in the ISO:

1, Recreate your ISO, but this time:

In UUP Dump, uncheck:

“Include updates”

“Enable Dynamic Update”

2, Build the ISO again (this avoids the failing update integration).

3, Boot from USB and install > Dynamic Update will be blocked > You will get 22H2 or 23H2 exactly as contained in the ISO, not 25H2.

4, Before connecting to the internet, apply the registry block:

Registry block (prevents forced upgrade to 25H2)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings] "SvOfferDeclined"=dword:00000001 "DisableWindowsUpdate"=dword:00000001

5, Reboot > then connect to the internet.
Sin-D 6,080 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-17T08:03:10.28+00:00

Hi,

I just wanted to check in and see if the steps worked for you. If everything is set, it would be greatly appreciated if you could mark the answer as Accepted. This helps others facing similar issues and keeps things organized.

If you need any further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out by clicking "Add Comment" or "Post Answer" (If you cannot add comment)! This helps me can read your follow up! Thank you.
Stefan Ganev 0 Reputation points

2025-12-17T11:11:34.5733333+00:00

No, nothing worked. My work-around for now is to use this laptop with a local account only, cancel MS365/OneDrive subscription, move to a different cloud provider, and stay away from Microsoft products and services in the future.
Sin-D 6,080 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-20T04:15:56.8166667+00:00

Hi,

Thank you for the updates. I’m very sorry that I’m unable to help you resolve this issue. Thank you for your understanding.

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Windows 11: Reinstall breaks Microsoft account sign‑in (OneDrive, Store, Feedback etc.)

5 answers

Your answer