Account blocked

The same problem here.

I got a new laptop yesterday, and spent some time completing the installation of Windows 11. As part of the installation process I created a new Microsoft account - using my gmail address.

After completing the set up I tried to install an app from the Microsoft Store. I was prompted to log in to my Microsoft account. This was when the problems began. I am unaware of any errors I may have made when typing in the password, but on my first attempt I was informed that there was a problem with my Microsoft account - Microsoft couldn't locate it, perhaps because it was so new. "Oops!" apparently. I followed the onscreen advice to sign in to account.live.com from a browser.

I followed the screen options to try and recover my account but none of these have worked. I have provided the number of an active phone capable of receiving messages, but no messages arrive. This avenue ends up in a dialog box with the ironic message "Help us beat the robots" and little else. A search online told me that
a. there should be a CAPTCHA game here, and, 
b. this problem seems to be quite common, and can lead to a serious loss of time, energy, tranquility, information, and money.

Apparently my insolent installation, caustic account creation, and final (censored) in attempting to install an app from the Microsoft Store have added up to "activity that violates our https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement/default.aspx and have locked your account." This is the same account I just created. Even if I had wanted - which I didn't - I didn't have time to do anything which could violate any standard.

My PIN, password, and the code I request to arrive at my gmail account are no use to me in unlocking my account. The only apparent solutions seem to get lost in the belly of the Microsoft beast.

I got this laptop because a MacBook Air I bought in Jan 2024 just died. I detest Apple's holier-than-thou proprietary obsession which just gets in the way of me using my hardware and software as I wish - and I am not a technophile who demands root access or any mad stuff like that. I know they are all fighting to squeeze the ultimate drops of hope out of the end-user, but these tech companies are taking it too far in my opinion. I did not consider that Microsoft may turn their methods of disruption and breaking things against their customer-base, turning the simplest task into a complex and stressful labyrinth of dead-ends or endless loops. At least my account was new, created just to set up my machine. I really feel bad for those who had this problem after 20 years of email, cloud hosting, x box accounts with paid-for games, and who knows what vital and personal information, all now behind doors locked by Microsoft.

If I cannot get a speedy resolution to this I may just follow all the European governments who are turning to open source solutions for their technical needs. Linux is apparently getting easier and easier to install and use, even for a hairless primate like me. 

Peace,
OS

An issue "looking up" my account...

Apparently Microsoft found it quite easily. Given the consequences I wish they hadn't...

Please Microsoft, I get my laughs elsewhere. I'd prefer you guys focus on producing functional software.