how to unlock laptop???

these steps DO NOT WORK, as the device is question is no longer linked to me account. so even though I'm emailed a screen time request; when I open my profile there is no such request to accept.

My daughter needs this lap[top for school, it's not useful if the thing can't be used.

Hi Andrew,

I'm sorry to hear you're stuck in such situation, and I understand how urgent it is, especially since your daughter needs the laptop for school. That said, I must note in advance that Microsoft Q&A is just a community forum. Account-issue often involve personal data, contributors here do not have access to such private information and cannot modify backend behaviors.

Based on your description and follow-up, the device appears to still be enforcing an old Family Safety restriction even though the device/family link is no longer working correctly, so the approval request cannot actually be accepted. I know you already tried getting in touch with tech support and failed, but they're the only one who can review this:

1. Visit Contact Us - Microsoft Support > Sign in  
2. Type in your problem > click Get Help to make request  
3. Scroll down and click Contact Support to connect to an agent 
4. Select category and continue > you should be added to a chat queue. 
5. If you don't see chat option, go through another category (e.g. Billings...) 

Note: The support contact team only works at certain times, so if the last window shows that it's unavailable, try opening it again the next day. If you prefer phone support, you can leave a phone number. This way, they can call you and help you.  

If the laptop must be made usable urgently, I can suggest some alternatives. However, note that they're only workarounds and might not be working with your situation. Depends on what you're looking for, you can see below:

• Add your daughter account back into Family Safety (if possible)
  • Go through the settings and disable any notifications, restrictions... and save
  • Turn on the PC again > if she can log in, back up all important files and data first.
• If you can't sign in > see if the device has another administrator account and back up.
• If you only need to get the PC working again:
  • Windows Reset or a clean Windows installation may be the final recovery option.
  • This can remove the current configuration that is enforcing the stuck restriction
  • It'll also remove local files and your daughter would need another account.
  • If BitLocker is enabled, you may need the BitLocker recovery key.

If the data on PC or/and the account is irreplaceable, this unfortunately needs Support's intervention. Microsoft Q&A cannot access or repair Family Safety account relationships, linked devices, or stuck approval requests. Only Microsoft Support team can check the account-side Family Safety state.

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