How do I take the lock off the computer

To unlock your computer, you can follow these steps:

1. Unlocking the Workstation: If your computer is locked, you can unlock it by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del and then selecting the option to log in. Enter your password or PIN to access your system.
2. Using Command: If you are looking to programmatically unlock the workstation, you can use the LockWorkStation function in a C program. Here is a sample code snippet:

      #include <windows.h>
      #include <stdio.h>
      
      #pragma comment(lib, "user32.lib")
      
      void main() {
          // Lock the workstation.
          if (!LockWorkStation())
              printf("LockWorkStation failed with %d\n", GetLastError());
      }
   

   Note that this code locks the workstation, so you would need to log in afterward.
3. If Locked Out: If you are locked out due to security measures (like BitLocker), you may need to enter your BitLocker recovery key or password. If you have forgotten your PIN, you can reset it using the recovery options available at startup.

If you are experiencing issues due to a potential hacking attempt, it may be wise to run a security scan and change your passwords after regaining access to your computer.

Hello,

What do you mean exactly by lock?

Does your computer have some display that indicates it is hacked and you need to call Microsoft?

If so, can you please hold down Ctrl+Alt+Del, then launch Task Manager, and then end all browser items there to close it. That page is definitely scam, but as long as you didn't call the number and engage in any of the requested activities, your computer is not hacked. It is just a pop up page that can have some audio effect (sometimes) and display in full screen mode, so it appears the computer is locked.

Scammers use various methods to trigger these pop-ups. Pop-ups are a form of online advertising. They are often integrated into websites or applications through ad services. Many websites use third-party advertising services to display ads. Sometimes, these ad services might inadvertently allow scam ads to be displayed. This does not mean the website itself is malicious, but it indicates a lack of stringent ad vetting.

You can read more about this type of support scam here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/protect-yourself-from-tech-support-scams-2ebf91bd-f94c-2a8a-e541-f5c800d18435