How To Fix “The Drive Where Windows Is Installed Is Locked” Error

If you are Windows user, you might have ever met up an error “the drive where windows is installed is lockedwhile attempting to start your PC or installing/restore your operating system from recovery media. It’s one of the serious Windows error that could really make you worried. But, you just stay calm!

In this post, I am going to share 5 quick and easy ways to troubleshoot “the drive where windows is installed is locked unlock the drive and try again” error along with some of its common causes.

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
Free Hard Drive Data Recovery Tool.
Recover data from USB drives, Pen drives, SSDs, HDDs, and other devices on Windows. Try now!

So, just keep reading this post ……!

What is “The Drive Where Windows Is Installed Is Locked?” error?

the drive where windows is installed is locked

“The drive where windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again.” is an error message that usually pop ups on Windows during startup process. When the user attempts to start the PC or try to restore the PC from the recovery media, they receive this error message.

This error prevent the users from booting their PC or performing certain tasks such as updating or repairing the operating system. It usually takes place on your PC due to several unknown reasons discussed below.

Possible Causes For “The Drive Where Windows Is Installed Is Locked” Error

Well, it’s really difficult to find the exact reason behind this error. However, here are some of the possible causes that lead to this error.

  • Due to the missing or corrupted Windows system files
  • When the BCD (boot configuration data) gets damaged.
  • Having error in the disk itself
  • If MBR (master boot record) gets damaged.
  • BitLocker boot agent has been disabled.
  • TPM (Trusted Platform Module) has been cleared

After knowing the causes of lock disk error, now it’s a time to know the solutions on how to unlock the drive where windows is installed error.

Fixed: “The Drive Where Windows Is Installed Is Locked” (Video Guide)

How to Fix “the drive where windows is installed is locked” Error?

These are the few fixes applying which you will be able to solve the locked disk error. So, simply go through this straightforward way.

#1: Refresh Your PC to Unlock the Hard Drive

The first solution that I will suggest you to fix the drive where windows is installed is locked error is – Refresh your PC.

Refreshing the system generally acts as reinstalling Windows without affecting any of your personal files. So, you should try this method once.

Here’s what you need to do:

  • Reboot your PC using installation media (DVD/ USB drive).
  • After that, click on “Repair your computer“.
  • Next, click on “Troubleshoot” then > “Refresh your PC“.

the drive where windows is installed is locked

  • Once done, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

#2: Run CHKDSK to Check for Disk Errors

CHKDSK is a Windows inbuilt utility that can help you to repair the disk-related errors like – bad sectors on drive, drive corruption & others.

If the locked drive error is caused due to system drive then check disk command will help you to find and resolve this error.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to know the process:

Step 1: Firstly, you need to restart your PC with Windows installation media (USB/DVD)

Step 2: Then, select Language & click on “Next”.

Step 3: Once the Windows Setup screen opens, click on Repair your computer.

the drive where windows is installed is locked

Step 4: Next, click on Troubleshoot then go to Advanced options > Command Prompt.

the drive where windows is installed is locked

Step 5: Here, you need to type a command Chkdsk c: /r or chkdsk c: /f  then press Enter. (C: is a drive where the Windows is installed)

the drive where windows is installed is locked

Step 6: Finally, reboot your system & check whether the error is fixed or not.

#3: Use SFC to Repair Corrupt System Files

Sometimes, the corrupted or missing system files can cause the drive where windows is installed is locked windows 10 error.

In such a case, you can run the System File Checker (SFC) utility in Windows to scan, find and fix the corrupted files of your drive to unlock it.

Follow these steps to know how to use this tool:

  • First of all, boot your system with installation media
  • After that, choose Language then click on Next.
  • Then, click on Repair your computer.

the drive where windows is installed is locked

  • Select Troubleshoot > Command Prompt.
  • Next, type “sfc /scannow” & press Enter.

the drive where windows is installed is locked

  • Now, wait till the checking and repairing process of your system is completed.
  • Close the command prompt and select the option Turn off your PC.
  • At last, boot your system to if the error is fixed successfully.

Also Read –  9 Ways To Fix “Windows Detected A Hard Disk Problem”

#4: Rebuild BCD File Using Bootrec Command

You can face “the drive where windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again” when the boot info of Windows 10 gets corrupted.

Here, you can try to fix the boot information of your operating system and see if this resolves this problem.

Here’s what you need to do:

  • Insert your Windows installation disc then reboot your PC.
  • As the installation window opens, click on Repair your computer
  • Again, click on Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options ->Command Prompt.
  • Now, simply type the below given commands and press enter key after each command:

bootrec /fixmbr

bootrec /fixboot

bootrec /scanos

bootrec /rebuildbcd

the drive where windows is installed is locked

  • After doing so, type Exit & press the Enter
  • Now, remove your installation media and restart your system.

This time if your system reboots without showing an error the drive where windows is installed is locked then most often there is an issue with BCD file.

#5: Reinstall the Windows

The last method you can perform to unlock your locked system drive is – Reinstall Windows. This trick usually works to solve the error such kind or errors.

Here’s how to reinstall your Windows OS:

  • Reboot your computer via installation media.
  • Then, select a language & click on Next to continue.
  • Finally, click on Install Now

the drive where windows is installed is locked

  • Now, follow the on-screen instructions in order to complete the re-installation process.

How to Recover Deleted/Lost Data from Hard Drive?

Though you have fixed “the drive where windows is installed is locked” error with the above listed methods but it’s possible that you may suffer from data loss during this process.

In case, you face a data loss situation while fixing this error then you are strongly recommended to use Hard Drive Data Recovery Tool to get back your lost hard drive data. It is very easy to use & 100% safe and secure to use.

This tool has enough capability to recover data from all types of data storage media such as – external hard drive, USB flash drives, memory cards etc. it doesn’t matter whether your drive is locked, corrupted, formatted or virus infected, it can recover the files from your drive in no time.

So, just download & install this Hard Drive Data Recovery Tool on your PC and perform the external storage data recovery with ease.

Try Data Recovery For Windows Try Data Recovery For Mac
* Free version of the program only scans and previews recoverable objects.

Follow the step-by-step guide to know how to use this software:

Wrapping Up

It feels quite frustrating to receive “The drive where windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again.” error during Windows startup process. I hope above listed troubleshooting methods will help you to unlock the drive and access your computer.

However, while trying these fixes, if you ever find that your data have been lost from source drive then simply use the Hard Drive Data Recover Tool to bring the lost data back.