how to get rid of a scam pop up stating my computer is locked

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 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 (such as the CNN one) 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.

The pop-up is a tech support scam and not a real Microsoft lock or virus alert. It is usually just a browser page that looks like it has locked the computer.

To close the fake “computer locked” pop-up in Windows 11 and Microsoft Edge:

1. Force-close the browser
   • Press Ctrl + Alt + Del.
   • Select Task Manager.
   • In Processes, find Microsoft Edge (or the browser that shows the pop-up).
   • Right-click it and choose End task. This will close the scam page.
2. If the browser is in full-screen and you can still see it
   • Press Alt + F4 to close the current window.
   • If that does not work, press and hold the power button to turn the PC off, then turn it back on and continue with the next steps.
3. Clear Edge’s cache and data
   • Open Microsoft Edge (do not restore previous tabs if prompted).
   • Go to Settings → Privacy, search, and services.
   • Under Clear browsing data, clear cached images/files and site data for at least the last 7 days.
4. Do not call any phone number in the pop-up
   • Genuine Microsoft error messages never include a phone number to call.
   • Microsoft does not send unsolicited messages or lock the PC and demand a call.
5. Run a full security check
   • Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection.
   • Run a Full scan to check for malware.
   • Apply all Windows Update security updates.
6. Prevent future scam pop-ups
   • Use Microsoft Edge with Microsoft Defender SmartScreen enabled; it blocks many known support scam sites.
   • Avoid downloading software from third‑party sites; use the Microsoft Store or official vendor sites.

If at any point remote access or software installation was allowed for a “support” person, uninstall anything they had installed, consider resetting the device, run a full scan, change passwords, and contact the bank or card issuer if any payment was made.

Scam attempts can be reported to Microsoft at www.microsoft.com/reportascam.

References:

• Protect yourself from online scams and attacks
• Protect yourself from tech support scams
• Avoid and report Microsoft technical support scams
• Tech support scams
• Microsoft Defender Scam or Do I have a virus on my computer - Microsoft Q&A
• possible virus, computer locked - Microsoft Q&A
• I WAS HACKED - Microsoft Q&A
• Windows defender scam - Microsoft Q&A
• why can't you block AnyTech365.com....they are a scam company posing as Microsoft supported, stealing information? - Microsoft Q&A