Can't add a Microsoft account to a new Windows 8 PC, nor can I change to using a local account

Hi,

It’s unfortunate that you are unable add a Microsoft account on windows 8. I will definitely help you with this.

Let’s follow these methods and check if it helps.

Method 1: Create a new user account and check if the issue persists.

a. Press the “Windows Key + i”

b. Click More PC Settings

c. On the left, click Users

d. Click “Add a User”, and follow the onscreen instructions to create a new user account.

If new user account works, refer steps on how to copy files to the new user profile.

Copy old files to new profile:

a. Navigate to C:\Users\Corrupted_Profile_Name\. The profile name will be the corrupted profile name.

b. Copy all the files.

c. Open Control panel and Folder View options uncheck Hide protected operating system files.

d. Navigate to C:\Users\Corrupted_Profile_Name and copy Appdata folder.

Note: Do not copy these three files. NtUser.dat, NtUser.ini, NtUser.log.

e. Navigate to C:\Users\New_Profile_Name\.

f. Paste all those files here.

Method 2:

Run a system file checker scan and check if that helps. Refer the following steps to run SFC scan.

a) Move the mouse pointer to bottom left of the screen where you see preview of start menu and Right-click to bring up a list of Windows settings.
b) Click on ‘Command Prompt (Admin) to bring up elevated command prompt. Note: Click ‘Yes’ if it prompts for permission.
c) In the command prompt type in the following command: ‘sfc /scannow’.

Method 3: Refresh the operating system and check.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc

Hope it helps. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to let us know. We will be glad to help you.

Thank you.

Thanks for trying, but none of that resolved the issue.  Without knowing what causes that error code, I don't see any way we'll ever know how to solve it.  I simply avoided the problem.  I took that PC back to where I bought it, and bought a different PC from a different OEM.  Using the same Microsoft account worked like a champ on that PC. 

So, good news?  Windows 8 and the Microsoft account work just fine.  Bad news?  There's an OEM out there doing something with their factory install of Windows 8 that's going to cause a lot of unhappy customers with both them, and Windows, unfortunately.  Just as an FYI, I also called the OEM about the problem, and their "solution" was a factory reset of the PC, which also, didn't resolve the issue.  I hope someone determines what causes that error, and makes sure that all Windows OEMs don't do whatever it is they're doing in their factory installs to cause it...and I hope that happens pretty quick, for everyone's sake.

 New User Account is Created, But It Does not Work - not only that but it nor the guest (has been turned on) show up in files, folders or registry. the error says that the profile service failed. I tried all the fixes for other versions because there isn't one for window 8 - I can tell you they don't load because apart from being in the user list in pc settings they are nowhere to be found anywhere else. This problem started after I refreshed my computer by the way. Somebody please I am begging you, fix this. I spent days restoring all my devices, drivers, apps and software. I don't want to have to go through this again.