How to Unlock a Device Locked Using Find my Device in the Microsoft Account

Anonymous
2024-03-04T06:28:38+00:00

I have a Windows 11 laptop. I inadvertently locked the laptop when I logged into my Microsoft Account and it showed the device was located in a different part of the Country from where I am located. After locking the device, I realized it was my personal laptop (in my possession, not where it was shown to be on the map). I am now trying to unlock it but cannot locate anywhere in my online Microsoft Account where to do so. My user pin and fingerprint aren't being recognized. Can anyone help?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Accounts, profiles, and login

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-07-03T21:45:48+00:00

    This is the best answer in this thread!

    What Ryan has outlined works

    1. It will take you into the dark recesses of your device
    2. You may feel a bit concerned but it will work
    3. And data is preserved in the process
    4. You may need to reinstall software, but you won't need to wipe your data

    See Ryan's detailed approach before doing anything else.

    Worth printing out before you start

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-07-03T17:38:43+00:00

    I'm glad I could help. I also had the same experience and was quite disappointed with the answers on here as well.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-06-30T05:43:26+00:00

    Thank God for this thread, wasted half a day speaking to 2 IT people, advice was to format but really didn't want to do that. This worked a treat.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-06-19T17:46:59+00:00

    Stephen, I have the proper solution in the reply above. I also reset the PC using Dave's advice and was left with the same issue. I should have prefaced my solution with these details, as it allows the all of your data and settings to be preserved.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-06-17T15:01:33+00:00

    Hi, I am Dave, I will help you with this.

    When you use the Lock option to remotely lock your device on the 'Find my Device' web page, the only option to get back into Windows is to reset Windows, you will not be able to log into the PC normally, usually you will see a notification that an Administrator needs to unlock the device, even though you are the administrator.

    Click the power button on the Login screen.
    Press the Shift Key and click Restart
    Your PC will boot into the Windows Recovery Environment
    Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Options - Reset this PC
    Choose to keep your files and apps.
    Then start the Reset

    Lovely advice, reset the PC, still the same issue, so wrong advice for my circumstances

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