There are two ways to get around this simple lock:
- Clear the BIOS/CMOS memory (usually requires direct motherboard access).
- Remove the drive and connect it to another computer (easier).
How do you unlock a locked drive?
How to Unlock a BIOS Locked Hard Drive
- Restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup (usually by pressing F2, F10, or Del during startup)
- Look for options related to “Hard Drive Lock,” “Security,” or “Password”
- Disable any locks or remove passwords if set.
- Save changes and exit BIOS.
How do I remove a locked hard drive?
The steps and options are pretty simple and easy to go with.
- Launch EaseUS BitWiper. Select the "Wipe Disk" option.
- Select the locked disk/external disk and click the "Next."
- Choose the Right Wiping method. Then click "Next."
- Confirm the warning message before going ahead.
- Wait for the wiping process to be completed.
How do you unlock a bit locked hard drive?
To unlock their drives, users must open “This PC” (or “My Computer”, depending on the version of Windows), right-click on the encrypted drive icons with the locked yellow padlock icon, click "Unlock Drive" and provide the Password.How do I access files on a locked hard drive?
You can unlock a hard drive by using the appropriate software tools, passwords, or encryption keys, depending on how the drive is locked. For BitLocker, use the recovery key. If it's an operating system (OS) password, you may need to enter the correct credentials or consult the drive instructions.How to Access a Locked Out Hard Drive
How to unlock an external hard Disk without a password?
2 answers
- Check for Backup: If you have a backup of your data, you can restore it after formatting the drive. ...
- BitLocker Recovery Key: If you enabled BitLocker, you should have a 48-digit recovery key. ...
- Use BitLocker Recovery Tool: If you can't find the recovery key, you can use the BitLocker Recovery Tool.
Why would a hard drive be locked?
Usually, a data hard drive can be locked due to various reasons, including disk is write-protected, password setting, encryption software, malware or virus infection, etc.How do I disable BitLocker on a locked drive?
Type and search [Manage BitLocker] in the Windows search bar①, then click [Open]②. Click [Turn off BitLocker]③ on the drive that you want to decrypt. If the drive is under locked status, you need to click [Unlock drive] and type the password to turn off BitLocker.What software is used to unlock BitLocker drives?
DiskGenius supports to unlock BitLocker drives with password, recovery key or BEK file, and it can unlock BitLocker encrypted drive on computers whose system does not support BitLocker, such as Windows 10/8/7 Home edition, Windows XP and WinPE.How do I turn off drive lock?
By pressing the "k" key, you can prevent the Drivelock PBA drivers from loading once when starting the computer. After you log on to Windows on the client, you can then run the dlsetpb /disablekbddrivers command from an administrator command line to permanently disable the Drivelock PBA drivers.Can I format a locked hard drive?
If you want to format a locked hard drive, you must unlock it before you can do anything else. Step 1: Press Win + R to open the Run dialog. Then type diskpart in the text box and then press Enter. Step 2: In the opened diskpart.exe window, type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each.How do I unlock a protected drive?
Method 1: Check the Lock SwitchIf your USB Drive is locked and becomes inaccessible to you when plugged into the computer, then the reason might be the Lock Switch. Most of the SD cards and USB Drives come with a physical Lock Switch, that you can toggle to lock or unlock USB Drive.
How do I unlock one drive?
Unlock your Personal VaultHere's how to unlock it. In your OneDrive, select the Personal Vault folder. Verify your identity by choosing a verification method. For example, select Text and follow the instructions to send yourself a text message on your phone.
How do I unlock my WD hard drive without the password?
Unfortunately, there is no way you can reset or bypass the password. The only option is to format the drive with a computer and it will wipe the data. If you have important data on there, a data recovery company with the proper specialized equipment will be able to clear the password.How do I manually unlock a BitLocker drive?
Open File Explorer, and right-click the BitLocker encrypted drive, and then click Unlock Drive. If you do not remember your Windows BitLocker password, click More Options, and then click Enter recovery key. Enter the BitLocker recovery key to unlock the drive. The recovery key is created when BitLocker is first set up.Is it possible to unlock BitLocker without a key?
Unlocking BitLocker without your password and recovery key can be very challenging. If you forget your password, you can use your recovery key to unlock your BitLocker drive. If you can't remember the password and don't have access to the recovery key, the only remaining solution is to simply format the entire drive.How to get 48 digit recovery key for BitLocker?
Attached to your work or school account
- Sign in with your work or school account.
- Select Devices and expand the device for which you need to retrieve the recovery key.
- Select the option View BitLocker Keys.
- Using the key ID, find the related recovery key and use it to unlock the drive.
How to decrypt BitLocker?
Go to Data Encryption → Full Disk Encryption. Select the BitLocker Drive Encryption technology and follow the link to configure the settings. The encryption settings open. In the Encryption mode drop-down list, select Decrypt all hard drives.How long does it take to decrypt a BitLocker drive?
NOTE: Decryption can take anywhere from 20 minutes to a couple of hours. The time depends on the amount of data that has been encrypted, the speed of the computer, and whether the process is interrupted. Interruptions include the computer being turned off or going to sleep.How to unlock a locked drive?
How to Unlock a Hard Drive
- Step 1: Run a disk check. Install the boot disk or USB drive, and power the computer on. ...
- Step 2: Run a system file check. Boot the computer from the disk or USB as you did in step one. ...
- Step 3: Complete a startup repair. ...
- Step 4: Try a system restore. ...
- Step 5: Refresh your PC.