It can be a pain when you come to know the hard drive on your Windows computer is locked. The hard drive getting locked can be a form of a Windows error and you have to either install or restore the operating system from a recovery media or reboot the computer.When it occurs, you could see the hard drive locked message on a blue screen called the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). Here we shall see the methods to know how to unlock a hard drive.
Method 1: Turn On Windows In Safe Mode
If you want to check if the BSOD is caused because of a hardware issue, you can run the Windows in safe mode.
- Turn off your PC.
- Locate and press the power button to turn on the PC.
- The Automatic repair window will open. Click Restart.
- Select the Troubleshoot option on the next page and then select the advanced options.
- Select the option Startup Settings.
- You can select the option to Enable safe mode by pressing the assigned number from the keypad.
- Restart the computer and see if the BSOD still appears. Then move on to the next steps to know how to unlock a hard drive.
Method 2: Dead Display
- The BSOD can also be caused if the Windows 10 Operating System is not detecting your display.
- The best way to fix the dead display is to force wake the display using the shortcut keys, Ctrl + Shift + B.
- The selection will try to wake your Windows 10 display from hibernation.
Method 3: Defective Video Card
- Click the Windows icon on the desktop, type Device manager in the search bar, and press the enter button.
- The Device manager window will open.
- Navigate to the Device adapters option and choose the display adapter from the list.
- Right-click on the display adapter option, then click the Uninstall device option from the list.
- Once the device is uninstalled, right-click on the option and select scan for hardware changes from the list.
- Once the hardware change is complete, right-click on the device and click the Update Driver option.
Method 4: System File Check
- The main function of the System File check is to scan for corrupted files and replace them with the proper versions that match the Windows.
- Press the shortcut keys Windows + R to open the Run command, type cmd in the field, and press the Enter button. Then move on to the next steps to know how to unlock a hard drive.
- The Command prompt will be seen.
- Enter the following command, sfc /scannow, and press the Enter button.
- Wait for a minute until the scan is complete and restart the computer.
Method 5: Perform Bootrec
- Open the Run command with the shortcut key (Windows + R).
- Type CMD in the Run command field and press the Enter button.
- Now, you have to enter the following commands one by one and then press the Enter button at the end of each command.
- bootrec /RebuildBcd
- bootrec /fixMbr
- bootrec /fixboot
Once you have run each of the commands, you have to type Exit and press the Enter button.
Method 6: System Restore
- A system restore is the best method to implement if you find the hard drive locked.
- You have to boot from a disk or a USB drive.
- Select the option to Repair your computer.
- You have to select the Restore option. You have to select the recent date to know when the system was working properly.
- Now, you have to run the wizard. Restart the computer and the system will boot properly.
Now check if you how to unlock a hard drive by clearing the hard drive locked error message.