I received an alert and my computer was locked up saying microsoft locked it up

Treat the alert as a tech-support scam: do not call its number, click its links, pay anyone, or grant remote access—genuine Microsoft error messages do not include a phone number to call.^1^

Close the fake lock screen

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Select Processes.
3. Under Apps, right-click Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or whichever browser displayed the warning.
4. Select End task. The browser and warning should close.^2^
5. Reopen the browser, but do not restore the previous tabs, because that may reopen the scam page.
6. If Task Manager will not open, hold the computer’s power button until it switches off, then restart it.

The warning itself does not prove that the computer was hacked. These pages commonly run full-screen and imitate a Windows security alert. Microsoft does not proactively contact users to provide unsolicited computer support.^1^

Scan the computer

After closing the page:

1. Open Start and search for Windows Security.
2. Select Virus & threat protection.
3. Select Scan options.
4. Choose Full scan, then start the scan. A full scan checks every file and program.
5. If you downloaded anything, installed remote-control software, or the warning keeps returning, save your open work and run Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) from the same screen. The computer will restart, scan outside Windows, and restart again.
6. Review the result under Windows Security → Protection history.^3^

If you contacted the scammers

Take these additional actions if you called them, entered personal information, downloaded software, or allowed remote access:

• Disconnect the computer from Wi-Fi or unplug its network cable.
• Uninstall any remote-access program they asked you to install, such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer, and remove other unfamiliar recently installed software.
• From another trusted device, change the passwords for your Microsoft account, email, banking, and any accounts exposed during the session. Use unique passwords and enable multifactor authentication where available.
• Contact your bank or card provider immediately if you paid them or disclosed payment details.
• Do not reconnect the affected computer until its security scan is complete. Only permit remote assistance when you initiated contact with Microsoft Support directly.^4^
• Report the incident using Microsoft’s tech-support scam reporting option.^1^

If Windows remains locked even after the browser is closed and the computer is restarted, describe exactly what appears before or after sign-in; that would require a different recovery path from a browser-based scam page.

References

1. Avoid and report Microsoft technical support scams | Microsoft Support
2. How to close a pop-up window if Microsoft Edge isn't responding | Microsoft Support
3. Virus and Threat Protection in the Windows Security App | Microsoft Support
4. Solve PC problems remotely with Remote Assistance | Microsoft Support