Windows loggin Challenge Code

[john70t]

Sigh.

Turned on the computer and immediately get a message that "Too many attempts have been made" and completing a "Challenge Code" is required.
I didn't touch anything.
This has happened before.
The code is right there. How is that called "security"?

Tried to change loggin options.
The Windows11 Settings menu buttons didn't work. Could not click. Actually they worked once and then stopped.
I have "OneDrive" (online storage of contents) and the new "Co-pilot" (AI assistant) installed with the last update disabled.

I ran a "sfc /scannow" system file check, which was clean. Also an update.
Tried several shell re-set commands which Windows "couldn't find" despite cut-paste with admin privileges.

A Start-Search menu led to automatically opening Microsoft Edge Browser despite it being 'disabled' and another browser being set as default.
(When I run CCleaner there is still a lot of Edge/InternetExplorer usage data being stored locally on my hard drive.
This is stealing my proprietary information. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_Online_Piracy_Act)

There was one internet search result in Edge: Log into Microsoft Website online accounts.
(the same happened while trying to find several settings from the Start Menu.)

I can't change my Operating System without internet access...

The Microsoft Online account couldn't 'find my password', despite it not being changed.
I couldn't use my existing password as a reset.
This required several texts to my phone.
Perhaps that 'verification' is what MS wanted originally, and everything else was sabotage and trolling.

Two hours wasted. Now there is "Windows Hello" prompt for facial recognition and a fingerprint reader.

Oh Microsoft....

[GH85Carrera]

Break down and call Microsoft tech support. The last time I called I had a very helpful human in short order.

I have to admit, Microsoft seems convinced every computer is a shared laptop used in random locations, and everyone loves to play games as the default setup. Since I am the only user of my system, that is a heavy beast and hard to pick up to take to the garage to clean the dust, and I do not play computer games at all, I am not the default setup.

[Scott Douglas]

And this is why I refuse to let windows update to the latest and greatest.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

And this is why I refuse to let windows update to the latest and greatest.

That leaves you vulnerable to to hacks and malicious players. The biggest reason ALL of the operating systems for all devices are updated is to patch vulnerabilities.

I just recently spent the time to update the BIOS of my motherboard, and Intel MS, and my router as well as my Windows OS updates.

I prefer to be as protected as possible from the Chinese, Iranian, Russian and North Korean government backed hackers.

[id10t]

Yet another reason that I only use Free software on my desktop

At least windows en****ification is minimal at work due to enterprise licensing and controls and a very hard working coworker

[GH85Carrera]

No argument Linux is a great system that runs a lot of the world's computers.

I have a couple of very expensive programs for the company I own that simply requires Windows 10 or 11 Professional. Not even the home versions will run them.

[john70t]

But wait there's more!

Got rid of the PIN loggin. This morning it wanted a "Password" instead.
The one I wrote down and used for Microsoft Account many times before before didn't work.

Internet connection required.
Mandatory.
But what if my computer doesn't have internet? Then the Operating System doesn't work?

"Forgot my password" led to a long 30 seconds of black circle screen "please wait"....and then it quickly skipped over the "Send code" screen....
The screen popped up for half a second and was gone....
Again and again.
So phone text verification was not even an option!

I typed in an alteration of a password and somehow the computer worked this morning after wasting over an hour.

Interesting stuff. Is this the future?

[john70t]

A sudden Microsoft Update previously erased my Canon printer drivers.
I'd bought two of them because a previous Canon printer lasted a very long time.

The OS didn't recognize the printer.
The mfr didn't 'offer' the outdated drivers anymore on their website.
Softpedia drivers for it off the net would not print either. Only scan function or something like that.
Hmmm.

So two working printers were sabotaged and bricked by the OS.

[john70t]

Microsoft starts verging on the bizarre. WTF is happening?

I go to shut down the computer and it says "Are you sure? Other users are using this device." Nothing is running. Shutdown.

Reboot.
Type the password correctly.
It goes to "Verify your identity with a text". Again.
Receive text and enter it.
"Change your password".
(No. That's not what I selected.)

Ok. While I'm typing a new password, it loops back to the "Verify w/text" screen.
It does it several times while I'm typing.

Then I get a "You've requested too many codes. Please try again tomorrow"

I call MS Customer Support. (800)642-7676
Note: The announcement that the call was being recorded, and that the recording would be sent out of this country was unusual. Why would they do that? What does that mean?
AI says "We can only help you online" "Go to AKA.MS/PWR" "Good day. click"
(Uh, the computer won't start and I have a dumb phone. How is that possible?)


Reboot.
It accepts my password again this time.
Full Scan with Malwarebytes and rootkit. Nothing found.
Run Windows AV Full Scan. It freezes about 1/5th through. I'll try again. Windows AV completed second try and found nothing)

This is an odd situation.

[john70t]

I have Cortana, Co-Pilot, and Hello all turned off. No A.I. assistance needed thank you.

Plus Edge and I.E is turned off. (they are supposed to be)

I'm wondering if this could be an A.I. attack.
A high-level backdoor attack.
Or is Microsoft just trying something weird to get customers to use Edge Browser?