

If all the above steps have failed, you may have a hardware problem.
HDD UNLOCK WIZARD EXTERNAL DRIVE INSTALL
And you may also be prompted to install Windows updates because these can sometimes disappear after a refresh.
HDD UNLOCK WIZARD EXTERNAL DRIVE DRIVERS
It’s up to you to track down the individual sites or stores to download or install these apps again.Īlso, some drivers (such as those for printers, accessories, or routers) may be removed. When the refresh is performed, Windows will create a list of the programs it removed for you to refer to. To continue using a computer after a system refresh, you may find that you need to reset your user settings and firewall preferences, as well as reinstall some third-party programs. If it worked properly, you’ll notice that some settings changed and programs have been removed. When it’s finished, you’ll be prompted to reboot your computer and see if the refresh worked. The wizard will walk you through the steps needed to complete the process. Refreshing your computer should not harm or erase files. This process may be your last opportunity before moving on to outside help. If not, you will want to move on to step five.

Type "bootrec /RebuildBcd” and press enter.You may have corruption in your boot files, so use these steps to reconcile them.īoot from your disk or USB as you did before, then enter the following prompts into your MS-DOS window to run through the repair sequence: Type “exit” and enter to get out of DOS.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. Type “chkdsk D: /f /x /r” and hit “enter”.An MS-DOS screen (black box) should pop-up.

In most cases, you’ll see a message flash across the bottom of the screen to press F12 or F8 to access the boot menu. 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.
