How To Stop A Microsoft Pop-Up?

CanAm · 20 Feb 2020

Please note that I posted this same thread on another Microsoft Forum but I suspect it wasn't the right one.

For at least the last six months I have been getting a pop-up notice several times a week on my desktop, and I can't figure out how to stop it. I am using a Compaq desktop and running Windows 10. My Windows 10 is up to date as of last Friday.
This pop-up I get several times a week always says: "MICROSOFT ACCOUNT PROBLEM" then "We need to fix your Microsoft Account (Most likely your password changed). Select here to fix it in Shared Experiences settings."
Most times I just delete it because I don't have time to deal with it. But when I do I click on the link and I get a page that has a button to click on to fix it. I click on this button which directs me to sign in. After I sign in it takes me back to that page with the button, only it now says all of my accounts are working properly. A couple days later I get another identical pop up. Over the last six months I have tried everything else listed on that page to fix it, but nothing works.
Got any ideas how I can permanently stop these pop-ups from reoccurring?

margrave55 · 20 Feb 2020

I think you may have been hacked. And you gave your password to the popup ... and therefore to the hackers.
1. Contact Microsoft by legitimate means and get things straightened out.
2. Drop your Microsoft account. I've never had one and I never will. It offers no benefit and opens a means for (a) MS to spy and (b) hackers to access. Just don't have such an account.

CanAm · 20 Feb 2020

Please tell me in "simple terms" how to do both of those things.

Barman58 · 20 Feb 2020

This has been a known issue for a while, it is related to the Shared experience option in the Settings -System Submenu

If you do not use the "Share Across devices" and/or "Nearby Sharing" features, go into settings and switch them off

The system scans the local area by Bluetooth and/or WiFi for suitable devices and can get confused when they find something and it does not reply with a known password, (a strangers phone passing by or a neighbor's printer, My own wifi easily reaches outside my home to surf the net on my phone sat in my car outside on the street)

It has also been known to be caused after a Microsoft Update

CanAm · 20 Feb 2020

Hi Barman58
This pop-up and the page I get when I click on it looks official to me, as I have been on that page before without clicking on the pop-up. But, what do I know. I do know that I never open emails I don't recognize or go to unsafe websites. I am a 69 year old handicapped man who hardly ever leaves his house, so I always use my own WiFi here at home.

I don't know what "Share Across Devices means. Are you referring to my Chrome sync? If so, my desktop is synced with my HP tablet and my ZTE Maven cell phone. Again, please tell me in SIMPLE TERMS how to "switch them off" in settings. I do know how to go to settings, but I am not very computer savvy.

I have been getting these pop-ups before the latest Window 10 update.

- - - Updated - - -

Hi margrave55 and Barman 58,
I have to leave now for the day, but I will be back tomorrow between 10:30 AM and 3 PM PST and reply then when I log on. Thanks for replying to my post!

Barman58 · 20 Feb 2020

Share across devices is a Microsoft function built into Windows 10, It's aimed at business users as far as I can see, it is designed so that when a group of people from a company meet up outside the office, at a hotel or such then the laptops will see each other and if set to do so form an adhoc network to allow the people to share files

I do not think its a thing that the majority of users need it, but as with a lot of new features Microsoft tends to set it to on by default

Nearby Sharing is another "New feature" that makes it easier for a visitor to share items with others when they visit a home or office, again something that although it may be clever is not often needed by the normal user

To go to Windows settings the easiest way I find is to click on the start button and type "settings" and choose it from the list that appears, there is a search bar in the windows setting menu, type the name of the setting you want and the system will take you there, ( no endless sub menus)

Both options have an off /on setting

How To Stop A Microsoft Pop-Up?-annotation-2020-02-20-225635.png

CanAm · 21 Feb 2020

Hi Barman58,

OK, I found this page that looks a lot like the one you posted, but it only has "Share Across Devices" listed.

How To Stop A Microsoft Pop-Up?-image.png

As you can see it's in the on position. Should I set it to the off position? This will not affect my Chrome Sync will it?

Barman58 · 21 Feb 2020

Yes switching it off should prevent the popup from coming back, It's not related to Chrome at all so should not affect it
As for the difference in displayed options it could be that you have home and I have Pro version, or could be as I have wireless and ethernet cable network connections plus a few paired Bluetooth devices

CanAm · 21 Feb 2020

OK great! I am going to turn off "Share Across Devices" then. I will let you know next week if that pop up comes back. If not (which I hope) I will mark this thread as solved.
Thank you for your help!

CanAm · 24 Feb 2020

Hi Barman58,

Hope you had a good weekend. Well, it seems that didn't work. The first thing that happened when I logged on this morning was I got that same pop up again.

So, I am trying something on my own. On the same Settings page I selected "Notifications & actions" and switched off the "Settings" notifications Icon as you can see below. My thinking is that I don't really care if my Microsoft "says" it has an account problem because it isn't affecting my desktop's performance. I just don't want see that pop up notice. The ONLY notice I like to see is from my Windows Defender. So far everything is working fine as far as I can tell, and I will let you know if that pop up comes back.