Windows 10: Lock a Stolen Device

My laptop was stolen and I am unable to lock the device remotely. If I try the "Find my Device" it shows the battery is 0% and I get the following message : We can’t locate this device since it hasn’t been used in the past 30 days.. Then when I try the "Lock" function I get the following message: "We can’t lock your device right now". Please can you assist with problem. Thank you

:)

 

Networking for a stolen device

Hello,

Windows 10 allows users to quickly find other computers or devices sharing the same network. For us to verify if the old PC is still connected to your network, follow these steps:

• Using Windows Search, type and choose File Explorer.
• Click Network on your navigation pane along the folder's left edge. It will provide you with the list of computers using the same network.
• Check to see if you can locate the stolen PC's name.

Make sure that you reach out to the computer manufacturer to validate if they can track your old device's system information. After doing so, you may file a report to the police so they can conduct further investigation regarding this incident.

Let us know if you need more help about this query.

 

Stolen Computer! Need help with lock my device!

Recently my surface pro 6 was stolen and my only access to it has been on my account login. I've tried locking the device at least 5-10 times a day and each and every time I get a message that reads, "Unable to lock your device at this time. We will email
you when we are able to do so." I do have a face recognition and pin lock but still wanted to remotely lock the device.

Finally 2 nights ago, the culprit had turned my computer on and I saw its location. The sheriff department then went to the address but unfortunately the tracking system only puts you in a radius of where the device is actually located and it was not found.

After being transferred 6 times on the phone and 1 dropped call, I have been told I am out of luck and there is no way to lock my computer from Microsoft supports end. My question is, what is the point of the lock my device feature? How is this even possible????

Then it was suggested for me to cancel my account on that computer.....so then someone can just reboot and enjoy my old computer?

Microsoft, what in the world?

Sorry, but just needed to vent :/

 

The Lock option on the Find My Device tab of my Devices on my Microsoft Account

My laptop has been stolen through a broken car window. I have headed to my Microsoft Account and to my Devices (https://account.microsoft.com/devices) and then Find My Device
tab for my stolen laptop. The last location is from May 2018, so I think I turned the location tracking services off at some point. There is, however, also a
Lock button there. When clicked, it displays the following message:

Log out any active users and disable local users. Administrators with permissions will still have access, but unauthorized access will be blocked.
Your device will be locked and location tracking services will be enabled.

Sounds just perfect. When clicked next, it asks for a 160-character message for returning instructions to be displayed on the device's screen, for a good-soul to hand it back, as a final step. It then tries to reach and lock the device, and then fails, but
very softly. It says that it couldn't lock it right now, but also that they'll inform me via my e-mail once it's locked successfully, implying that Microsoft will lock it as soon as possible:

We can't lock your device right now.

We'll let you know when we successfully lock it.

My question is, when exactly will Microsoft be able to lock my device, and what are the limitations?

1. Will it be somehow magically locked-down as soon as the computer is turned on?
2. Will it be locked down only if they connect it to the internet, possibly from the lock-screen?
3. Will it be locked down only if they manage to log-in my account?
4. Will it be both 3 and THEN 2?

Additionally:

• Will it be possible if they somehow format the laptop from a bootable USB recovery disk, because perhaps Microsoft has some kind of identifiers for the device that persist even after a format, like the motherboard serial, MAC address, etc.?