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Stuck in the "prove your a human loop"

Joel Barrow 0 Reputation points
2025-12-03T21:14:16.45+00:00

I have passed my laptop PC on to a friend down on her luck. I have completed a fresh install of W10 and going through the registration process, signing into Microsoft. After entering the MS account info it keeps prompting me to "prove I'm a human". I've passed the test three times with the congratulations message then it restarts the test again. I can't finish the installation! Who came up with this miserable test anyway?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Licensing and activation

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  1. Rez 10,615 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-12-03T21:46:56.8766667+00:00

    Hi Joel, that loop usually happens when the system can’t confirm the CAPTCHA result because of a network or browser issue during setup. It’s not you, it’s often caused by unstable internet, cached data, or a glitch in the verification service. Try these quick steps: make sure the laptop is connected to a strong, stable network, restart the setup process, and if possible switch to a wired connection or hotspot. If it still loops, open the on-screen keyboard and check if the region and time settings are correct, then sign in again.

    Do you know if the account uses two-step verification or if you’re setting this up through Wi-Fi with limited access?

  2. Joel Barrow 0 Reputation points
    2025-12-04T00:04:15.4133333+00:00

    (Correction: This was during a Windows 11 install, not as I stated earlier Windows 10)

    I was able to solve it through a somewhat painful process. My guess is Microsoft is using an MS Edge based app to do the install. I created a MS account during the installation. The installation kept some sort of cookie that flagged the new account as not registered with MS, and there is no way to clear cache or cookies during the install.

    I ended up finishing the install using my personal MS credentials, then did a PC reset install using my friends new MS account that I created earlier on another workstation, because it never really was created when I tried to create it during the MS installation, because it was stuck in the "prove I am human" Captcha loop.

    Moral of the story in this situation: don't try to create a MS account during a new PC setup. Make sure the account is already set up prior to trying to starting the installation.

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  3. Rez 10,615 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-12-04T14:18:23.6+00:00

    It seems you followed the correct steps, and your caching idea is logical. Occasionally, the CAPTCHA service can freeze during setup due to old session info or a brief Microsoft problem. Switching accounts or resetting usually fixes it. Starting with your own account was a good solution. If the issue occurs again, try finishing the setup without internet, and then sign in after completion, which avoids the CAPTCHA. Would you like me to share offline mode setup steps for future reference?

  4. Rez 10,615 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-12-04T17:51:12.57+00:00

    That’s a perfect analogy, Joel. Those setup quirks really feel like unexpected roadblocks you only learn about once you’re stuck in them. If Microsoft had a clearer heads-up about offline setup as an option, it would save a lot of time. At least now you know the workaround for next time, and honestly, using your account first was a clever move. If you ever run into similar issues again, feel free to reach out.

    Best

    rez

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