In the command prompt screen, type “sfc /scannow” and wait for the process to run.Move through the steps to the MS-DOS screen again. If you still get the locked hard drive message, move on to step two.īoot the computer from the disk or USB as you did in step one. When it is finished, simply type “exit” then hit enter. The operation will run for a few seconds.
Install the boot disk or USB drive, and power the computer on. If you don’t have a boot disk, visit the Windows website for your version of the OS to get help. You’ll need Windows installation files on a previously created DVD or USB stick to do the following steps. Several issues cause this, including malware corruption or hardware failure.Īll is not usually lost, however, if you act quickly. While it doesn’t happen often, it can be a serious headache.Īlso known as the “blue screen of death,” this can happen at any time during a Windows computer session, and you’ll be prompted to unlock the drive and try again when logging in.
Will your data be OK? Is there an easy fix?īefore you panic, follow these quick tips for what to do next.īefore you get started, it helps to know what “hard drive locked” error messages mean. If you’ve experienced a blue screen with a message from Windows that your hard drive is locked, it can be a bit unnerving.