Fixed the Drive Where Windows Is Installed Is Locked

Theo Lucia

Dec 16, 2024 • Filed to: Answer Hard Drive Problems • Proven solutions

As you attempt to refresh your device or just turned on the computer/laptop to rest the windows to skip the issues, you may confront an error saying the drive where windows are installed is locked unlock the drive and try again windows 10. All the data related to windows i.e. boot mechanism, updates, system files, etc. are saved on the drive that helps to boot your device once it is turned on. In case, the drive is locked i.e. windows drive is locked, you cannot access the drive and the system data. This ultimately means your device will fail to load the windows. No windows (no operating system) means that your device is no more functional. This article will help you to get rid of the error i.e. drive where windows are installed is locked.

As mentioned above, the error the drive where windows are installed is locked, unlock the drive and try again is all about the drive where you have installed the operating system. If by any means, this drive is blocked or gets inaccessible, it means your device cannot reach the system files to load the operating system while boot, you cannot run any program, on the whole, your device is not in working state. This error may appear due to a virus or malware attack corrupting the drive with an installed operating system. It can also show up due to damaged Master Boot Record (MBR), corrupted system files, corrupted drive, corrupted partitions, and bad sectors on the drive with the installed OS. All these situations would lead to potential data loss. This article provides you with high-end solutions to resolve the error i.e. windows drive is locked. Here are the topics that would be discussed in detail.

Part 1: Possible Causes for "Hard Drive Locked" Error

The drive where windows are installed is locked unlock the drive and try again windows 10 is the type of error that does not leave any clue behind. It does not carry any error code so that you can trace it to check the exact reason causing the error. Be it anything, like the disabled boot agent or a cleaned TPM. Here are some of the reasons that could act in the background for this error to show up on the screen.

1. The master boot record is damaged. When your device fails to boot, it cannot load the windows. It is because the drive carrying the system files is locked. This MBR is meant to run the boot mechanism.
2. Windows system files are corrupted or damaged. Files corruption is one of the big issues due to virus or malware attacks that can corrupt the partitions or the whole drive.
3. Boot configuration data is damaged. It is the kind of data that is related to boot configuration parameters. In case these BCD file or data is corrupted, the device is unable to run the boot mechanism.
4. There are errors on the disk. Of course, a corrupted drive will not allow you to access the data stored on it. This drive corruption can be in the form of corrupted partition, bad sectors, or any virus or malware attack. All this will lead to the error i.e. the drive where windows are installed is locked.

Other reasons contributing to the error can be the disabled BitLocker. An overwritten agent can also cause this error. The TPM (trusted platform module) also shows up as a potential reason. It is another factor that supports a smooth boot program to run. If the TPM keys are cleared, the device will fail to boot.

Part 2: Fixed: The Drive Where Windows Is Installed Is Locked

If you are familiar with the actual cause behind the windows drive locked error, you must be finding the answer for how to resolve the drive where windows are installed is locked unlock the drive and try again windows 10. In this section, here are five of the important solutions to fix the issue. Here we go!

Method 1. Repair your computer with Windows installation disc

Windows installation disc carries a feature i.e. repair your computer that helps to resolve the issues that halt the boot mechanism. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Create a bootable media. Be it an installation disc i.e. USB flash drive or CD/DVD. Using an installation disc is recommended.

Step 2: Start the process by connecting the installation disc with your device and run the boot program from this device.

Step 3: A pop-up window will appear on the screen. Enter all the required details i.e. language, time, currency, keyboard, and input method. Click next to proceed.

Step 4: In the next window, select the option of repair your computer.

Step 5: Next steps are to choose the option of troubleshooting followed by selecting advanced options.

Step 6: In the window, select the option of startup repair.

As soon as the repair mechanism will run, it will scan and fix the issue and resolve the error i.e. the drive where windows are installed is locked. Refresh your device. Probably the error would be resolved. If no! Then proceed to the next solution.

Method 2. Fix boot-related files with Bootrec.exe Tool

As a troubleshoot snap-in tool, the Bootrec.exe can help to fix the issue i.e. the drive where windows are installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again. It will resolve the error by running the command prompt. The tool helps to repair the issues related to Master Boot Record, Boot Sector, and Boot Configuration Data. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Initiate the process by connecting or inserting the windows bootable media and run the boot program from it.

Step 2: In the next window, select the language preference. Click next to continue.

Step 3: Now run the command prompt by pressing Shift + F10 simultaneously.

Step 4: As the command prompt dialogue box launch, type bootrec.exe. Click enter to launch the utility.

Step 5: Now type the following commands to run the process and at last click next to complete the action. <?

bootrec /FixMbr
bootrec /FixBoot
bootrec /RebuildBcd

Once the process is completed, probably the error would be resolved. In case if you are using the UEFI/GPT boot process, then skip the first command.

Method 3. Fix disk errors with CHKDSK.exe

Another way to fix windows' drive is locked is via CHKDSK utility. It is a Windows built-in utility that helps to fix all the issues related to disk/volume bad sectors, system errors, cross-linked files, directory errors, and lost file clusters. It helps to fix errors on FAT16, FAT32, and NTFS drives.

Step 1: Start the process by inserting or attaching the bootable media with the device. Boot from the attached/inserted drive.

Step 2: Now select the option of repair your computer followed by selecting troubleshoot.

Step 3: in the next window, select the option of advanced options followed by selecting the option of command prompt.

Step 4: As the command prompt launch, type the command i.e. Chkdsk C: /R or chkdsk C: /F and hit enter to run the command.

Step 5: Once the process is complete, type exit in the prompt. Click enter to complete the action.

Refresh the device or restart. Probably the issue is resolved.

Method 4. Use system file checker to repair missing or corrupted system files

Missing or corrupted files may also result in the drive where windows are installed is locked. The system file checker is windows built-in utility to scan the drive to check for the missing or corrupted files. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Run the command prompt by pressing windows key + R simultaneously.

Step 2: In the prompt, type sfc/scannow. Click enter to continue.

Once the process is complete, reboot your device and then refresh it.

Method 5. Restore Windows

Restoring the windows will help to resolve the error i.e. the drive where windows are installed is locked unlock the drive and try again windows 10. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Insert the installation disc and allow the device to boot from it.

Step 2: In the next window, enter your language preference and hit the enter button to continue.

Step 3: Nextly, select the option of repair your computer followed by selecting troubleshoot.

Step 4: In the next window, select the option advanced options followed by selecting system restore.

Step 5: As a system restore launch, click next to proceed.

Step 6: Follow all the command prompts.

As soon as all the prompts are followed, probably the error i.e. the drive where windows are installed is locked unlock the drive, and try again windows 10 would be resolved.

Sometimes, when you attempt to start your device, the boot mechanism fails to run and your device cannot load the windows. In this context, your device is functionally non-working. This could be due to BCD corrupted or missing files, damaged MBR, damaged, corrupted BitLocker agent. Other reasons could be the damaged or corrupted drive, bad sectors, or corrupted partitions. Corrupted or missing files can also lock the drive and make it inaccessible. As the system fails to boot, your device is inactive and may lead to data loss. It is advised to resolve the error as soon as possible. This article provides you with a guide containing five best solutions that work to resolve the error i.e. the drive where windows are installed is locked unlock the drive and try again windows 10.