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Dave Williams 0 Reputation points
2026-08-26T17:14:50.7033333+00:00

Laptop POP UP -Do I call the pop up [Moderator Note: Personal Info Removed] or is this a scam?

How do I respond to this pop up?

Windows for home | Other | Security and privacy
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  1. Clary-N 15,095 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-08-27T00:15:53.4166667+00:00

    Please note that our forum is a public platform, and we will modify your question to hide your personal information in the description. Kindly ensure that you hide any personal or organizational information the next time you post an error or other details to protect personal data.

    Hi Dave Williams.

    I understand how alarming this type of pop-up can be. To clarify the situation, did you call the number, share any information, install an app, make a payment or allow remote access to the laptop?

    If you only saw the pop-up and closed it without interacting, follow the steps in the AI Answer first. You can then check for anything that may cause it to return:

    1. Open the browser’s Settings and review Site permissions or Notifications.
    2. Remove or block any website you do not recognize.
    3. Review the browser’s Extensions and remove anything unfamiliar.
    4. If you use Microsoft Edge, make sure Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is enabled under Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Security. SmartScreen helps block known support-scam websites.

    If you installed an app or allowed remote access, disconnect the laptop from the Internet. Then open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, sort the list by Date installed and note any unfamiliar application installed around the time of the incident. Please share the application’s name before taking further action if you are unsure what it is.

    If remote access was granted or suspicious software was installed, you can also run Microsoft Defender Offline scan from Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options > Microsoft Defender Offline scan > Scan now. This provides an additional check when a device may have been compromised.

    Please do not post passwords, payment details, the full phone number or other personal information publicly.

    I hope this helps and please let me know what happened after the pop-up appeared.

    If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".  

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-26T17:15:06.4533333+00:00

    This is a scam. Do not call the number in the pop-up.

    Microsoft error and warning messages never include a phone number, and Microsoft does not make unsolicited calls to tell people there is a problem with a device.

    Recommended response:

    1. Do not click the pop-up and do not call the number.
    2. Close the browser immediately. If the mouse cannot close it, press Alt+F4.
    3. If that does not work, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, find the browser, and select End task.
    4. Reopen the browser and, if prompted to restore the previous session or tabs, choose No so the scam page does not reopen.
    5. If the browser keeps reopening the scam page, reset the browser settings or go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select the browser, then Advanced options > Reset.
    6. Run a full scan with Microsoft Defender Antivirus and apply available security updates.

    If any information was given to the scammer, or remote access was allowed:

    1. Uninstall any app they asked to install.
    2. Change passwords.
    3. Monitor sign-in activity for anything unusual.
    4. Contact the bank or card provider if any payment information was shared.
    5. Consider resetting the device to a factory state if remote access was granted or settings were changed. This can remove unwanted software, but it can also remove apps and local data if files are not backed up first.

    The scam can be reported here: www.microsoft.com/reportascam

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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