Account locked

Because the human-verification step completed but the account remains locked, return to the lock screen and use any aka.ms reinstatement link shown there rather than repeating the sign-in-help loop. ^1^

Submit the reinstatement request

1. Open the Microsoft account page in a browser and attempt to sign in.
2. On the Your account has been locked screen, look for a link beginning with aka.ms/.
3. Open that link and submit the requested account-reinstatement information.
4. Provide a separate working email address that you can access.
5. After submission, wait for Microsoft Online Safety to respond by email. Do not submit duplicate requests, because Microsoft states that additional submissions can slow the review. ^1^

This is separate from the Let’s prove you’re human CAPTCHA that you already completed. Microsoft documents the reinstatement form as the route when the normal unlock option is unavailable or does not lead to access. Support agents cannot directly unlock the account or alter its details; the review must go through the form. ^1^

A new device or newly installed application can prompt an unusual-sign-in check, but that does not establish that Spotify, Steam, LINE, or removing Copilot caused this lock. Microsoft only states that new devices, applications, or locations can sometimes trigger additional security verification. ^2^

If no reinstatement link appears

Use Microsoft’s current assisted-support route:

1. Go to Microsoft Support.
2. Enter Account locked and select Get Help.
3. If self-help does not resolve it, select Contact Support.
4. If authentication is required, use a different working Microsoft account—not the locked account.
5. State:
   “The human verification completed successfully, but the personal Microsoft account still shows locked. I need the account-lock/reinstatement route, not password-reset instructions.”

Support may offer chat depending on the product and region, but agents still cannot manually change account details or send an unlock/password-reset link outside the designated recovery process. ^3^

While waiting

Use a local Windows account so the new PC remains usable:

• Settings → Accounts → Your info
• If available, select Sign in with a local account instead

Do not remove or reset Windows merely to fix the online account lock; the Microsoft account review is handled separately from the Windows installation.

References

1. Microsoft account has been locked | Microsoft Support
2. What happens if there's an unusual sign-in to your account | Microsoft Support
3. Contact Microsoft customer support | Microsoft Support