How to Fix Account Picture Error in Windows?

When setting up a new profile picture for a local account, you may encounter an Account Picture error with the message, This problem could not be saved. This issue can originate from a corrupted Account Pictures folder or the absence of necessary .NET frameworks.

Moreover, if the image you’re attempting to use doesn’t meet specific criteria—such as being in PNG or JPG format, or if its size exceeds 4MB—the error might occur. Before attempting the solutions, ensure that the image meets these requirements.

1. Paste the Photo in the Account Pictures Folder

Windows retrieves the local account picture from the Account Pictures folder located in your user data. When a profile picture is set, it’s transformed into PNG format and saved in this folder. You can manually place the .png file of your avatar, named after your account’s username, in this folder.

1. Right-click the picture you wish to set as your local account profile.
2. Select Rename and type the image name followed by your local account name.
   
3. Copy the image file.
   
4. Open the Run dialog by pressing the Win + R keys.
5. Type appdata in the input box and click OK to open the UserAppdata folder. Ensure the account folder matches the account you are logged in with by checking the address bar at the top.
   
6. Navigate to the following path:

   Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\AccountPictures

7. Paste the copied image file here.
   
8. Restart your computer. You should now see the image file in the Account Pictures folder.

2. Update Windows

Updating Windows can install any missing components needed for saving or displaying the local account photo. Regular updates contain bug fixes that address various Windows issues, so be sure to update Windows before trying other solutions.

1. Press the Win + S keys simultaneously to open Windows Search.
2. Type Check for updates and hit Enter to open the Windows Update settings.
   
3. Click Check for updates and install any pending updates.
   
4. Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

3. Delete the Content of the Account Pictures Folder

Clearing the content of the Account Pictures folder removes cached images that may have become corrupted, causing the issue. This refreshes the system to fetch new data once you set a new profile picture for your account.

1. Right-click the Start Menu and select Run from the options.
2. In the Run dialog, type appdata and click OK.
   
3. Navigate to the path Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\AccountPictures.
4. Here, press Ctrl + A to select all images, then press Delete.
   
5. Restart your computer and try changing the account profile picture to see if this resolves the error.

4. Create a New User Account

Creating a new user account generates fresh files related to the user account, which might have become corrupted in your existing account, preventing the local profile picture from saving. This ensures you have fresh and error-free user account files, potentially resolving the issue.

1. Launch Windows Settings by pressing the Win + I keys together.
2. Navigate to Accounts from the left sidebar and open the Other Users page.
   
3. Click Add Account and choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
   
4. Select Add a user without a Microsoft Account.
   
5. Enter the username and password for the local account. You can leave the password field empty if you prefer not to use a password.
6. Click Next to create the account.
   

After creating the account, if the problem is fixed, you can proceed to transfer your data from the previous account to the new one.