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Microsoft has locked me out of my own pc

I'm not providing any solution, it's just a comment. I'm telling this for your own good. If you don't want to use linux, I don't care. It's your choice!
The OP has an issue caused by Windows. Presumably, he wants to continue using Windows. Going “just use Linux bra” is why nobody like Linux advocates.

where is this menu, i cant find it?
Start button, that shows the dialogue pop up.
 
While this doesn't really "solve" your problem, it will prevent it from happening again. Also, consider that "key" you used previously forfeit. TPU frequently has promotions that show sales on valid and legit, but also inexpensive, Windows Product keys.

For example;


If you buy the multi-pack of keys, you'll have spares for future use.
 
Last edited:
Yeah Microsoft has issues, I am locked out of onedrive on my phone, it says login is banned on the device without specifying a reason, it suggests to change password but with no assurance it will work, changing password means messing with xbox etc, also, I was able to login with a temporary pin, but have to do again every time pin expires until I can be bothered to harass Microsoft to fix their ****.

So glad I have stayed away from online accounts to authenticate on Windows.
 
microsoft dont have any live people you can talk to anymore, its just chatbots.

This is what I get when I try and get support from Microsoft

1720873139116.png
 
If you buy the multi-pack of keys, you'll have spares for future use.
In my experience, keys from those sites have a shelf life. I now only buy a key when I need it & activate it asap. I had 2 or 3 keys that wouldn't activate (& became non-genuine) after holding them for many months. Never had a problem with a newly acquired key though.
 
While this doesn't really "solve" your problem, it will prevent it from happening again. Also, consider that "key" you used previously forfeit. TPU frequently has promotions that show sales on valid and legit, but also inexpensive, Windows Product keys.

For example;


If you buy the multi-pack of keys, you'll have spares for future use.

"legit"

But yeah cheap.

And for reference this isn't a uniquely MS problem. Try getting locked out of your iCloud account and have an iphone.

Mate, never use a microsoft account for ANY form of authentication!

I don't understand what you mean by this. Are you saying no one should use an MS account at all or that you should never use MS 2FA? The bug here is that the SMS was never sent.
 
And for reference this isn't a uniquely MS problem. Try getting locked out of your iCloud account and have an iphone.

You should put some time into setting up an icloud account followed with proper security. Trust me it will help you from future surprises.

Windows 11 just sucks; the pushing of cloud account(s), the pushing of telemetry since W10, the pushing of BING, the pushing of edge or invasive ads now in your computer.

They got billion of devices running on W11 - they are doing what they want and they are selling or re-using that data. Simple as that.

Company that once set the tone now turned rogue.
 
The OP has an issue caused by Windows. Presumably, he wants to continue using Windows. Going “just use Linux bra” is why nobody like Linux advocates.
We all already use linux in some or the other way. Literally every non-PC electronic device at your home is running linux, even your phone! And if the OP has an issue CAUSED by Windows, then why would he want to use an operating system which "causes" issues? Also as I said before, I'm not forcing anyone to use linux. It's just a suggestion. It's your choice if you want to willingly fall into Microsoft's trap i.e use windows.
I can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of linux here, but obviously I won't because it's off-topic.
 
microsoft dont have any live people you can talk to anymore, its just chatbots.

This is what I get when I try and get support from Microsoft

View attachment 355037
I would try their business support, as it's the only number they seem to offer.
+44(0)344 800 2400
They only seem to offer chat support otherwise, which is really crap.
No idea why that isn't working for you though, as it works fine for me.
 
In my experience, keys from those sites have a shelf life. I now only buy a key when I need it & activate it asap. I had 2 or 3 keys that wouldn't activate (& became non-genuine) after holding them for many months. Never had a problem with a newly acquired key though.
They are like token randomizers. No Wonder i used a OEM DVD to install w11 on the rig i built in 2021

I would try their business support, as it's the only number they seem to offer.
+44(0)344 800 2400
They only seem to offer chat support otherwise, which is really crap.
No idea why that isn't working for you though, as it works fine for me.
Sometimes vpn can screw things up
 
I dont use bitlocker, I had it set as a local account. I never forgot any of my information, there is nothing wrong on my end. People keep missing the point that I never wanted this on my pc it was forced on it by Microsoft, they turned my local account into a Microsoft account by deception. Now they wont send the SMS to login to an account I never wanted associated with the computer account.

If it was still a local account like I originally set it up or if Microsofts 2FA actually worked then I wouldn't be in this position.

It wasn't forced, this is literally your fault like I stated before. You set up your account incorrectly.
 
Every month... :rolleyes:
Every month? :wtf:
Holy shit dude.
View attachment 354994

How do you keep it so tame? I can't do it.
Yeap. If anyone whose had their account for a few years will find this happening to them too. MS doesn't give a five. It's like they promote this shit. If you compare to google, the activity is 1/100th of MS. I even get emails from MS about pw reset codes and in the email it's all if this isn't you, don't worry bro, it's probably someone making a mistake. /facepalm
 
It wasn't forced, this is literally your fault like I stated before. You set up your account incorrectly.
I literally set it up as a local account, i signed into windows to recover a windows key not tie my windows account to my microsoft account, my local account was then immediately converted against my will to a microsoft account. by the time i realized what it had done it was too late and it was forcing me to add a pin.


so here is what i have now done to rectify this situation.

1, imaged the drive
2, bought a cheap windows key through a link on this thread
3, formatted the drive and done a fresh install using RUFUS as suggested by forum members.
4. il restore any files that i need from the image.


I keep most files off the C drive in case of events like this now its just setting up, browsers, email, codecs, game stores and arduino. steam should be intact but il need to re download epic store.
 
Yea, don't buy keys direct from MSFT.
 
Windows 11 is just a data collection tool for the governments of the world. They need you to login to your account to use the OS you purchased because they need to ensure they can track all of your activity. The only true solution to your problem is to stop using Windows.
 
I would try their business support, as it's the only number they seem to offer.
+44(0)344 800 2400
They only seem to offer chat support otherwise, which is really crap.
No idea why that isn't working for you though, as it works fine for me.

A similar thing happened to me recently when I swapped from a 7800X3D to a 7950X3D M$ fixed it in about 5m minutes maybe support out here in the states is better I guess.
 
I literally set it up as a local account, i signed into windows to recover a windows key not tie my windows account to my microsoft account, my local account was then immediately converted against my will to a microsoft account. by the time i realised what it had done it was too late and it was forcing me to add a pin.


so here is what i have now done to rectify this situation.

1, imaged the drive
2, bought a cheap windows key through a link on this thread
3, formatted the drive and done a fresh install using RUFUS as suggested by forum members.
4. il restore any files that i need from the image.


I keep most files off the C drive in case of events like this now its just setting up, browsers, email, game stores and arduino. steam should be instact but il need to re download epic store.

Windows 11 is just a data collection tool for the governments of the world. They need you to login to your account to use the OS you purchased because they need to ensure they can track all of your activity. The only true solution to your problem is to stop using Windows.
I killed forced updates, and disabled telemetry on a build i did in 2021, have no issues, it keeps problems away, almost like running a LTSC build
 
I just wouldnt feel at home without this.
The OP has an issue caused by Windows. Presumably, he wants to continue using Windows. Going “just use Linux bra” is why nobody like Linux advocates.
Counterpoint:
Windows 11 is just a data collection tool for the governments of the world. They need you to login to your account to use the OS you purchased because they need to ensure they can track all of your activity. The only true solution to your problem is to stop using Windows.
This behavior that OP has a problem with is how MS has designed windows. This issues will continue to occur so long as you continue to use windows. It's akin to saying "The OP has an issue caused by hitting his head with a hammer. Presumably, he wants to continue hitting his head with a hammer. Going “just stop hitting your head with a hammer bra” is why nobody like people who dont hit their head with hammers".

Windows has reached a point of constantly annoying you, locking you out of systems, and otherwise destroying your PC experience if you use it as intended. MS's security systems and online accounts are a usability mess that break whenever you actually need them. Onedrive is unreliable, as is their key recovery service. People continue to hit their head with that hammer though, since the concept of NOT doing so is totally alien, and it may take some time to relearn how to live without constant blunt force trauma to the cranium. Short of breaking windows with tools like rufus so they stop requiring TPM and cloud accounts, or switching to mac/linux/alternatives, this will continue to happen.

Or you can pick up that old hammer, and accept you need to argue with broken microsoft chatbots to get around a 30 day email lockout to log into your PC The PC you rent from MS.
 
In my experience, keys from those sites have a shelf life. I now only buy a key when I need it & activate it asap. I had 2 or 3 keys that wouldn't activate (& became non-genuine) after holding them for many months. Never had a problem with a newly acquired key though.
Believe it or not, you can still call in with those keys and MS will activate on the phone and they lady/man will walk you through the process.
 
I dont use bitlocker, I had it set as a local account. I never forgot any of my information, there is nothing wrong on my end. People keep missing the point that I never wanted this on my pc it was forced on it by Microsoft, they turned my local account into a Microsoft account by deception. Now they wont send the SMS to login to an account I never wanted associated with the computer account.

If it was still a local account like I originally set it up or if Microsofts 2FA actually worked then I wouldn't be in this position.
Honestly, just wipe the PC at this point, use Rufus to deny all of MS's stupid requirements, and run shut-up 10 to disable MS's attempts to annoy you further. And learn to live with the watermark in the bottom right. The less you actually engage with Windows in a legitimate manner, the less likely this will happen again. Much like bitlocker enabling on windows 11 home installs, MS wont be any real help too ya.
EDIT: he beat me to it:
I literally set it up as a local account, i signed into windows to recover a windows key not tie my windows account to my microsoft account, my local account was then immediately converted against my will to a microsoft account. by the time i realized what it had done it was too late and it was forcing me to add a pin.


so here is what i have now done to rectify this situation.

1, imaged the drive
2, bought a cheap windows key through a link on this thread
3, formatted the drive and done a fresh install using RUFUS as suggested by forum members.
4. il restore any files that i need from the image.


I keep most files off the C drive in case of events like this now its just setting up, browsers, email, codecs, game stores and arduino. steam should be intact but il need to re download epic store.
Good to hear. So long as you keep all your important stuff off that C: drive MS wont be able to screw you too hard in the future.
 
Believe it or not, you can still call in with those keys and MS will activate on the phone and they lady/man will walk you through the process.
In my personal experience, a non-genuine key is a non-genuine key and MS phone support said nothing beyond that. They were pretty straight forward that I was SOL and they were not going to help me beyond selling me a new key.

So I bought a new $12 key & used it right away. lol
 
In my personal experience, a non-genuine key is a non-genuine key and MS phone support said nothing beyond that. They were pretty straight forward that I was SOL and they were not going to help me beyond selling me a new key.

So I bought a new $12 key & used it right away. lol
Oh dang. Didn't know they weren't legit. I have a couple of W10 keys I got on flea bay which are legit, but if I swap mainboards it deactivates. Fkn stupid.
 
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