No authenticator app and get stuck at "beat the robot" screen when using alternative verification options

[Microsoft Windows]

I lost my phone which had my registered authenticator app on it. For whatever reason my Microsoft account is not accepting my last known password to login to my account so I can check/update my security information - and so I can't set up the authenticator app on my new phone. I am going round in circles because you can't do one without the other.When I try the alternative verification options, it won't text a code to my phone (it says that option isn't working right now) and it makes me use the 'beat the robot' screen which I complete but then it won't move forward from the verification compl

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