If when you start your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer, you receive a Your PC needs to be repaired error message, then this post may be able to help you resolve the issue.
A required device isn’t connected or can’t be accessed
The first thing you want to try is to boot into Advanced Boot options and try to Reset your PC. But if you do this, you are, in all likelihood, expected to receive the following message:
The drive where Windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again
OR
Unable to reset your PC. A required drive partition is missing
The cause for this error is normally a corrupt MBR or BCD file. To resolve this issue, consider the following steps.
If you can log in normally, good; else you will have to boot into Safe Mode, enter Advanced Startup options screen, or use the Installation Media to boot to be able to carry out these instructions.
1] Run Check Disk via WinRE screen
Boot into Advanced Boot Options. From the WinRE screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt. Run Check Disk using CMD. You may use the chkdsk /r command.
2] Run System File Checker
If a system file required for booting up has become corrupted, running System File Checker may help you.
3] Change the active partition
You may be required to change the active partition using diskpart. An Active partition is the one that your BIOS detects is the one that will start your computer.
It is important to note that changing Active Partition wrongly may make your computer unbootable. So do not by mistake, mark a partition as Active, if it does not contain the NTDLR loader for your operating system.
To do this, enter the following commands:
diskpart
list disk
Now select the disk – it will typically be Disk 0 – and set it as the Active disk. Assuming it is Disk 0, the commands become:
select disk 0
Now list the partitions using:
list partition
Assuming your partition number is 0, the command becomes
select partition 0
To make it the Active partition, type the following and hit Enter:
active
Exit diskpart.
4] Repair Master Boot Record
Repair Master Boot Record. It is one of the effective troubleshooting steps, to fix boot issues, and will hopefully help you fix the problem.
Update: Please see boozi‘s comment too, below.
Why is my Windows drive locked?
Your Windows drive might be locked due to open files or running applications that prevent changes. To unlock it, ensure all apps are closed and files are saved. A locked drive safeguards data integrity by preventing data loss during system changes. Restarting your computer can also help release any locks.
How do you unlock a locked drive?
To unlock a BIOS-locked hard drive, restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup by pressing the designated key (often F2 or Del). Navigate to the security settings, locate the “Hard Drive Password” option, and enter the correct password. Save changes and exit. If you have forgotten your device’s password, contact your device manufacturer for further assistance.
Some other links that may help you someday:
- How to Convert MBR to GPT Disk
- Windows fails to boot; Automatic Repair, Refresh, Reset PC also fail
- Operating System Not Found
- Bootmgr is Missing.
