Windows frozen

[Matt2matt2002]

Hi folks.
Any idea how to proceed?
Attached message on my screen not allowing me to do anything.
Help.

[mickeg]

If I ever got a nasty screen like that and it told me to call a specific phone number, my first thought is it is a scam.  Call someone else.

Can you shut down and do a cold boot?  Perhaps holding the power switch off for 15 to 20 seconds can cause a shut down.  But I am not a computer pro, so maybe that would be the last time you ever shut that computer off?

[Matt2matt2002]

If I ever got a nasty screen like that and it told me to call a specific phone number, my first thought is it is a scam.  Call someone else.

Can you shut down and do a cold boot?  Perhaps holding the power switch off for 15 to 20 seconds can cause a shut down.  But I am not a computer pro, so maybe that would be the last time you ever shut that computer off?

Thanks. I agree, a scam and I certainly won't be calling any number.
I checking out options but would be very pleased to hear from anyone here, the best way to proceed.
Thanks

[Danneaux]

Yes, Matt, a now old scam. For a way out, look at AWs answer here...
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_other-security-winsec/blocked-computer/06df1f60-dc92-43e0-92c0-49243e1da2df?messageId=d1fd0e19-a71b-4ec1-8b07-7d51330d8241

Best, Dan.

[Matt2matt2002]

Thanks Dan
Good advice.

I appear to have progressed.

Many thanks

Matt

[RonS]

As a Mac user, and a Canadian, my first thought when I read the thread title was  "I know there's a saying that Scotland can get four seasons in one day, but crikey, Matt,  surely the windows to your house can't be frozen shut in June!"

[Mike Ayling]

After RonS reminds me of the joke that the home duties director phoned their partner saying that their windows were frozen and what should they do?
Answer - gently pour warm water over them!

[John Saxby]

Ah, jeez, hazards abound...

I was gonna suggest that, if you've got power, try a hair dryer around the edges of the windows.

If on the car, warm water or a hair dryer.  Then, after everything has been opened (windows, but esp doors) wipe all the rubber on the rubber/metal interfaces with a bit of olive oil on a paper towel.  As a rule, doing that once in late autumn does the trick.

Glad it's all sorted, Matt.  You can file away my tricks for similar problems with "the other windows".

Tangentially yours,  John