Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Hard drive locked

Mar 12, 2018 3:49PM PDT

I have been trying to reinstall my win 10 os and I get a message that my drive is locked. How do I unlock it?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Tell more.
Mar 12, 2018 4:10PM PDT

How are you trying to reinstall W10?
Dafydd.

- Collapse -
Windows 10
Mar 12, 2018 5:34PM PDT

I am using the stick that I purchased. Not sure if that's the name, but it is rectangular and not a CD.
I have tried using commands, troubleshooting with articles I saw on line.
I can get to the Win 10 screen that says install now or repair your computer. set up starts,I skipped the key, because I believe the key is there from my previous install. After it attempts to install I get the message that it can not install because my drive is locked.

- Collapse -
So this USB stick...
Mar 12, 2018 5:39PM PDT

Post was last edited on March 12, 2018 5:41 PM PDT

- Collapse -
USB 3.0 Stack
Mar 13, 2018 4:14AM PDT

Purchased 11/13/2015 from Best Buy and used it to install windows 10, and it worked just fine.
The packaging describes it as USB 3.0 Stack.

- Collapse -
Answer
(NT) turn off Secure Boot in the UEFI-BIOS
Mar 12, 2018 5:20PM PDT
- Collapse -
Answer
This has a handful of causes.
Mar 12, 2018 5:45PM PDT
- Collapse -
I will respond
Mar 13, 2018 4:19AM PDT

I will respond as soon as possible. Will be dealing with a major snow storm today.