How to Fix ERROR_DRIVE_LOCKED 108 (0x6C) on Windows 11

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How can I fix 108 (0x6C) ERROR_DRIVE_LOCKED?
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If you seeย errorย 108 (0x6C) ERROR_DRIVE_LOCKED with an error message, The disk is in use or locked by another process; it could be due to corrupted system files, outdated Windows OS, or underlying disk issues.

To begin with, restart your computer and disconnect all the external peripherals connected to your system except the mouse and keyboard.

How can I fix 108 (0x6C) ERROR_DRIVE_LOCKED?

1. Check for Windows updates

  1. Press Windows + I to launch the Windows Settings app.Windows Update Check for updates - ERROR_DRIVE_LOCKEDED
  2. Navigate to Windows Update, and then click the Check for updates button.
  3. If an update is available, click Download & install to get it.
  4. You should check for driver updates too; for that, click Advanced options on the Windows Update.additional options
  5. Locate Additional options and click Optional updates.optional updates - ERROR_DRIVE_LOCKED
  6. If an update is available, select it and click Download & install.Download & install
  7. Once the update is installed, restart your PC

2. Update/reinstall the problematic drivers

  1. Pressย Windowsย +ย Rย to open theย Runย console.Devie Manager - ERROR_DRIVE_LOCKED
  2. Typeย devmgmt.mscย and clickย OK to launch the Device Managerย app.
  3. Expand the categories one by one to locate a device related to the problematic driver (to spot it, look for a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark).
  4. Right-click it and select Update driverย from the context menu.Driver update ERROR_DRIVE_LOCKED
  5. Click Search automatically for drivers.Search automatically
  6. Now, follow the on-screen instructions to let Windows find a suitable driver version for your device. If there is more than one problematic driver, repeat the process to update them as well.

If there is no update available, you need to reinstall the driver. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Device Manager app using the steps from the above method.
  2. Locate the problematic driver, right-click it, and select Uninstall deviceย from the context menu. Uninstall device - ERROR_DRIVE_LOCKED
  3. Clickย Uninstall again to proceed.
  4. Once uninstalled, go toย Action and choose Scan for hardware changes from the drop-down menuย to reinstall the driver.Reinstall driver

Alternatively, if Windows cannot find a better version of your driver, you canย manually install it from the manufacturerโ€™s website or use aย third-party driver updater toolย to get the latest version on your computer safely.

3. Run the System file checker scan

  1. Press the Windows key, type cmd in the search box, and click Run as administrator to launch Command Prompt with administrative rights.CMD elevated - ERROR_DRIVE_LOCKED
  2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command to clean up the Windows image to fix the issues to ensure your Windows functions properly and hit Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  3. Wait for the command to complete, then copy & paste the following command to repair or restore the corrupted system files and press Enter:sfc /scannowSFCSCANNOW CMD
  4. Wait for the scan to complete, then reboot your PC to let the changes take effect.

4. Restore your system to previous state

Note icon NOTE
Before proceeding with these steps, ensure you have saved all your work and note the names of newly installed apps and system settings preferences.
  1. Press the Windows key, type control panel in the search box, and click Open. Control Panel start menu - ERROR_DRIVER_PROCESS_TERMINATED
  2. Select Large iconsย forย View by, then click Recovery.Recovery Control Panel
  3. On the following screen, click the Open System Restore link.Open system restore - ERROR_DRIVER_PROCESS_TERMINATED
  4. Select Choose a different restore point in the System Restore window and click NextNext Choose a different restore point 
  5. You will get a list of restore points available. Select the oldest or most recent restore point before you saw the ERROR_DRIVE_LOCKED issue, and clickย Next.Choose a point
  6. Clickย Finishย to start the restoration process.Finish

Windows will restart and restore the system settings to the previous version. This process may take some time depending on your device condition, so donโ€™t turn off your compute.ย Once your computer restarts, go to Settings, click Windows Update, and thenย Check for Updates. If an update is available, Clickย Download & Install to get the latest Windows updates.

In case you see theย System Restore message wasnโ€™t completed successfullyย after the restart, we recommend you check out this informative guide for solutions.

If nothing helped you fix the issue, you can try resetting your computer; you can follow the detailed steps using this guide.

Did we miss any step that helped you fix the ERROR_DRIVE_LOCKED issue? If so, feel free to mention it in the comments section below. We will add it to the list.

More about the topics: BSoD errors, Windows 11

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