Stuck in the "prove your a human loop"

Joel Barrow 15

I have passed my laptop PC on to a friend down on her luck. I have completed a fresh install of W10 and going through the registration process, signing into Microsoft. After entering the MS account info it keeps prompting me to "prove I'm a human". I've passed the test three times with the congratulations message then it restarts the test again. I can't finish the installation! Who came up with this miserable test anyway?

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Joel Barrow 15 Reputation points

2025-12-03T21:19:45.1133333+00:00

AI suggested I clear my browser cache or go into incognito mode. The problem with that is this is the windows install & setup dialogue. No browser involved
Live Numb 5 Reputation points

2025-12-07T07:37:08.11+00:00

You can avoid it by registering an account outside of the sign-up process and signing in during the process.
ABDULRAHMAN SHAHIN SALIH 0 Reputation points

2026-01-27T12:39:58.7566667+00:00

but it want fingerprint
Lamin thar 5 Reputation points

2026-03-25T15:00:12.82+00:00

I can't pass the human prove.It said press and hold,I did what it sad but it doesn't work.I already try with various network and still doesn't work.Please fix that issue
Clara 0 Reputation points

2026-04-07T18:05:48.4933333+00:00

I tried opening a free microsoft email account today and I couldn’t because when it gets to the part of the press and hold , after I get the check mark 3 little dots appear and then it just tells me to do it again . I did it on open and private browser and I couldn't create the darn email . I tried 5 separate times. I ended up creating a google account.
Gerard Patrick Freund 0 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2026-04-09T02:28:40.0133333+00:00

Same issue here - fix this - "prove you are human thing is stuck in a loop!"
JR Quigley 0 Reputation points

2026-08-28T17:35:33.5833333+00:00

I've tried to pass the "prove i'm human" during new setup, which failed many times. I then got on another device to create the account through a browser, same issue. Tried again today and the code sent to my email prior to the prove i'm human would not work until about attempt number 6. Then the "push and hold" business failed mutiple times. I then switched to another browser and am locked out due to too many codes requested. :( so frustrated.
Neil D 34,200 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-28T18:20:26.49+00:00

@JR Quigley this is a relatively old thread, I suggest you create your own new post using Ask a question top right hand of the Q&A forum.

6 answers

Restee Miranda 14,095 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-12-03T21:46:56.8766667+00:00

Hi Joel, that loop usually happens when the system can’t confirm the CAPTCHA result because of a network or browser issue during setup. It’s not you, it’s often caused by unstable internet, cached data, or a glitch in the verification service. Try these quick steps: make sure the laptop is connected to a strong, stable network, restart the setup process, and if possible switch to a wired connection or hotspot. If it still loops, open the on-screen keyboard and check if the region and time settings are correct, then sign in again.

Do you know if the account uses two-step verification or if you’re setting this up through Wi-Fi with limited access?
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Joel Barrow 15 Reputation points

2025-12-04T00:10:28.3133333+00:00

I was connecting to my fiber network wirelessly. The network is very solid. I did try to restart the install but kept getting stuck in the loop when creating the friends MS account. That is when I switched to using my MS account which allowed me to finish the install and then doing the reset all over again.

The region and time settings were all correct at the time.

I think there was a caching issue that couldn't be cleared.

Thanks for your suggestion.