Microsoft Blocks Windows 11 User, Demonstrates How Easy It Is to Lose Data with Forced Encryption

The lack of transparency and Microsoft's unsatisfactory response to this incident have left the Reddit user without access to their data and without a clear solution to recover it.

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A Reddit user, deus03690, has shared their frustrating experience with Microsoft after their account was randomly blocked while working with multiple data units. The user had been consolidating data from several old units before a major move and had uploaded 30 years of irreplaceable photos and works to OneDrive. However, Microsoft suspended their account without prior notice, without a legitimate reason or recourse, leaving the user without access to their important data.

Microsoft’s official guide on account blocking states that if an account is blocked, it’s because the associated activity with the account may violate the Terms of Use. However, the Reddit user claims that they have not received a clear explanation for why their account was blocked and have sent the compliance form 18 times without receiving a satisfactory response. The lack of human contact and automated response has left the user without real help and with the feeling that there’s no way to recover their data.

Friend’s advice, back up if you don’t want to take the risk

This incident highlights the importance of having a regular backup plan for important data. Excessive dependence on cloud services in Windows 11 can lead to additional data problems, such as total data loss due to BitLocker encryption. In May of this year, it was reported that some users had lost their data as a result of losing the BitLocker key, which can be a real danger for many users who are not aware of the automatic enabling of BitLocker encryption in Windows 11 24H2.

The solution to avoid these types of problems is to consider saving backup copies of important data locally on internal and external hard drives and SSDs, or in a NAS solution. Exclusive cloud storage may not be the best option, as it may leave users without access to their data if their account is blocked or they lose access. It’s essential to have a regular backup plan to avoid losing important data and ensure it can be recovered in case of a problem.