Fix hardlock.sys Blue Screen in Windows 11/10

This hardlock.sys Blue Screen error appears on the PC screen when you try to install a Windows Feature Update or a Cumulative Update. The update process starts normally but fails and reverts back almost at the final stage of installation. In this post, we will provide the most suitable solutions you can try to successfully resolve this issue.

Hardlock.sys is located in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers folder and is not essential for the running of the Windows OS. The file is developed by a third-party provider – but contains Microsoft’s digital signature.

Fix hardlock.sys Blue Screen error

If you’re faced with PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA – hardlock.sys Stop Error, you can try our recommended solutions below in no particular order and see if that helps to resolve the issue.

1. Modify the registry
2. Uninstall driver via Command Prompt
3. Update driver
4. Uninstall Windows Update
5. Run System Restore.

Let’s take a look at the description of the process involved concerning each of the listed solutions.

If you can log in normally, good; else you will have to boot into Safe Mode, enter the Advanced Startup options screen, or use the Installation Media to boot to be able to carry out these instructions.

1] Modify the registry

Basically, hardlock.sys is a software component of Sentinel/Aladdin HASP which is a part of 3rd party app. Sentinel HASP is a concurrent usage software licensing solution provided by SafeNet. So a small registry tweak can help you to install the latest Windows update without receiving the BSOD error.

Since this is a registry operation, it is recommended that you back up the registry or create a system restore point as necessary precautionary measures. Once done, you can proceed as follows:

• Press Windows key + R to invoke the Run dialog.
• In the Run dialog box, type regedit and hit Enter to open Registry Editor.
• Navigate or jump to the registry key path below:

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Hardlock

• At the location, on the right pane, double-click on Start entry to edit its properties.
• In the properties dialog, set its Value data as 4.
• Click OK to save changes.

Now try to install Windows 10 and it will complete successfully.

2] Uninstall driver via Command Prompt

The hardlock.sys process is also known as Hardlock Device Driver for Windows NT and is a part of Hardlock Device Driver for Windows NT or, as the case may be, Sentinel LDK. This software is produced by Aladdin Knowledge Systems.

This solution simply requires you to uninstall the problematic driver via the command line. Once done, you can then retry the update installation which should complete successfully without any errors.

Do the following:

• First of all, download the haspdinst zip file. [Link removed as the tool has been taken down].
• Once the download is complete, unzip the file to your C: drive.
• Now, press Windows key + R to invoke the Run dialog.
• In the Run dialog box, type cmd and then press CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER to open Command Prompt in admin/elevated mode.
• In the command prompt window, type or copy and paste the command below and hit Enter.

haspdinst.exe -kp -r -fr -v -purge

Once the command executes and uninstalls the driver, try updating your system.

3] Update the concerned driver

Do the following:

• Press Windows key + X to open the Power User Menu.
• Press M key on the keyboard to open Device Manager.
• On the Device Manager console, locate and expand the device’s list to see Sentinel driver.
• Once you see it, do a right-click on it and select Update Driver.
• Choose Search automatically for drivers from the next window.
• Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the driver update.

4] Uninstall Windows Update

Sometimes, this error occurs after the installation of certain Windows Updates. So, if the issue happens to appear just after installing the updates, you can uninstall the updates and see if this fixes the problem.

5] Run System Restore

If nothing helps, you may run System Restore and see if it helps.

I hope this helps!