Fix Error 0x80070520 on Windows 11 (Account Picture Issue)

Windows 11 error 0x80070520 often appears when changing account pictures. Below are causes, quick fixes, and a PowerShell script workaround.

This error can block profile customization and may signal permissions issues, file corruption, or software conflicts in the user AccountPictures folder.

• Corrupted system or account image files
• Permissions conflicts on local account folders
• Third-party security software interference

• 1. Restart your PC to clear temporary glitches.
• 2. Update Windows via Settings → Windows Update.
• 3. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter.
• 4. Check user permissions or sign in as administrator.
• 5. Run System File Checker: sfc /scannow.
• 6. Disable third-party AV temporarily to test conflicts.
• 7. Perform a clean boot using System Configuration.
• 8. Use System Restore if the issue is recent.

First, set execution policy in an elevated PowerShell session:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope Process -ExecutionPolicy Bypass

Then run the script to force update the profile picture registry path:

$profilePicturePath = "C:\Path\To\Your\Image.jpg"

New-Item -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion" -Name "AccountPicture" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AccountPicture" -Name "AccountPicturePath" -Value $profilePicturePath

$signature = @'
[DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
public static extern bool SendMessageTimeout(IntPtr hWnd, uint Msg, UIntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, uint fuFlags, uint uTimeout, out UIntPtr lpdwResult);
'@
$WinMsg = Add-Type -MemberDefinition $signature -Name WinMsg -Namespace Win32Functions -PassThru
$Result = [UIntPtr]::Zero;
$WinMsg::SendMessageTimeout([IntPtr]0xffff, 0x001A, [UIntPtr]::Zero, [IntPtr]::Zero, 0x2, 5000, [ref]$Result)

Error 0x80070520 can be annoying, but the steps and PowerShell script above typically resolve it without reinstalling Windows.