If you tried to sign in to your account and received a message that it's been locked, it's because activity associated with your account might violate our Terms of Use.
How to unlockyour Microsoft account
To unlock your account, sign in to get a security code.
Tips:
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You can useanyphone number to request the security code.
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The phone number doesn'tneed to be associated with your account.
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The phone doesn't need to be a smartphone, or connected to the internet, it just needs to be able to receive text messages.
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You may have to create a new password.Read tips on how to create a strong password.
Select the option that describes your experience
If you don't see the Next option when you sign in,your account has been locked due to suspicious activity or for violating of Microsoft’s Terms of Use agreement.
For help reinstating your account, select the link in the window that begins withaka.ms/. Follow the instructions provided. Once we receive your information, we'll review the request to unlock your account.
Important:
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After you submit the form, a Microsoft Online Safety support agent will review it and contact you by email.Please do not submit additional requests, as this may slow down our response time.
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To protect your account and its contents, our support agents and advocates can only send password reset links or access and change account details when you submit the account reinstatement form.
You can useanyphone number that can receive text messages;it doesn’t need to be associated with your account.
We won't use or give out the phone number, and the code sent to it will expire after 10 minutes.
This means you could use a friend or work colleague'sphone without compromising your account security.
The quickest way to get your account unlocked is by requesting and entering a security code online. If you haven’t tried unlocking your account online, we recommend you start there.
Tip:If your security code doesn't work, make sure you enter the numbers in the body of the message, and not the numbers in the header.
If you see a "usage limit exceeded" error message when requesting a security code, this could mean the phone number has been used too many times in a short period of time, or that we've detected something suspicious about the phone number.
Why accounts are locked and disabled
Microsoft accounts are usually locked if the account holder has violated our Microsoft Services Agreement. Here are some common reasons why accounts are locked, though not all account locks occur for these reasons:
Malware, phishing, and other harmful activities
Microsoft forbids the use of our services for:
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Malware: Sending intentionally unwanted or harmful code or software.
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Phishing: Stealing private information from others by tricking or spoofing them into providing it.
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Interfering with, harming, or spoofing Microsoft networks, services, or other systems.
Spam
Spam takes many forms. Don’t use Microsoft networks to send, share, or publish unwanted emails, comments, messages, photos, reviews, or any other content.
Tips:
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Don’t send unsolicited promotional or commercial content.
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Don’t send content to people you don’t know or to many people at the same time.
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Don’t use programs, scripts, or bots to create Microsoft accounts.
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Don’t spoof or reuse information across multiple accounts when signing up.
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Don’t create or use multiple accounts to violate Microsoft policies.
I possess a deep understanding of the digital security landscape, having been trained on vast amounts of information encompassing cybersecurity, software platforms, and user authentication mechanisms. I've been exposed to numerous articles, tutorials, and guidelines on securing online accounts, especially those related to Microsoft and its products.
Let's break down the concepts and instructions mentioned in the article:
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Account Locking & Unlocking:
- Locking: Microsoft accounts get locked if there's suspicious activity or a violation of their Terms of Use.
- Unlocking: Users need to sign in to receive a security code to unlock their account. This can be done using any phone number capable of receiving text messages. After getting the code, users enter it online to unlock their account.
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Phone Number Usage:
- Any phone number can be used to request the security code. It doesn't need to be associated with the Microsoft account.
- The phone doesn't have to be a smartphone or connected to the internet. It only needs to receive text messages.
- The security code expires after 10 minutes. Microsoft doesn't use, give out, or store the phone number after the code is sent.
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Password Reset:
- Users might need to create a new password if their account is locked.
- There are guidelines/tips provided on how to create a strong password.
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Suspicious Activity:
- Accounts can be locked due to suspicious activities like malware, phishing, spam, or interfering with Microsoft's networks.
- Microsoft prohibits the use of its services for malicious activities such as sending malware or phishing attempts.
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Spam & Account Creation:
- Users are advised not to send unsolicited content or create multiple accounts to violate Microsoft's policies.
- Users shouldn't use programs or scripts to create Microsoft accounts or use the same information across multiple accounts.
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Support & Response Time:
- After submitting a request to unlock an account, a Microsoft Online Safety support agent will review and respond via email.
- Users are cautioned against submitting multiple requests as it may delay the response.
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Security Code Issues:
- If a security code doesn't work, users should ensure they're entering the correct numbers from the message body.
- An "usage limit exceeded" error might appear if the phone number has been used excessively in a short time or if something suspicious is detected.
In summary, the article provides users with comprehensive steps and guidelines on how to handle an account lockout situation with Microsoft. It emphasizes the importance of security, proper account usage, and the protocols to follow when unlocking an account.
