Upgrade to SSD - Windows 10 won't boot

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will401

Honorable
Aug 27, 2013
2
0
10,510
Hi,

I am trying to install a new SSD in my (recently upgraded) Windows 10 Desktop. I used EaseUS to clone my C drive to the new SSD. I then removed the existing hard drive, plugged in the SSD to the SATA connection and tried to boot the computer. The computer then fails to boot properly. I created a usb recovery drive to reinstall windows, but when I turn the computer on with this installed, if I select 'Reset this PC' it says 'The drive where Windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again.'
If I select 'Recover from a drive' I get the message 'Unable to recover your PC. The system drive is too small.' The usb drive is 16gb. When I created it Windows said it needed to be at least 8gb. I created the recovery drive again on the same usb stikc, and had the same problem. Would be grateful of any help. Many thanks.
 
Solution
darthvader30
You boot files are corrupted on the SSD that is why it's showing the drive is locked. Install your SSD and boot to recovery using your flash drive and open cmd and type "diskpart"(without quotes) > "list disk" > "sel disk 0"(or 1, whichever is your SSD) > "list vol" and note the drive letter your windows partition on your SSD > "exit" > type "bcdboot C:\Windows" (C: being your windows drive) and exit. Now, run startup repair three times with restart after each repair. You should have your windows booting now.

*If the bcdboot C:\Windows command doesn't work then use "C:\Windows /s S:"(S: being your windows partition and C: being your flash drive).
*After installing the SSD enter your BIOS and set the SATA config mode to SATA and then...
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darthvader30

darthvader30

Reputable
Jun 7, 2016
252
2
4,965
You boot files are corrupted on the SSD that is why it's showing the drive is locked. Install your SSD and boot to recovery using your flash drive and open cmd and type "diskpart"(without quotes) > "list disk" > "sel disk 0"(or 1, whichever is your SSD) > "list vol" and note the drive letter your windows partition on your SSD > "exit" > type "bcdboot C:\Windows" (C: being your windows drive) and exit. Now, run startup repair three times with restart after each repair. You should have your windows booting now.

*If the bcdboot C:\Windows command doesn't work then use "C:\Windows /s S:"(S: being your windows partition and C: being your flash drive).
*After installing the SSD enter your BIOS and set the SATA config mode to SATA and then perform the above steps, if it doesn't work THEN set it to AHCI.
It is recommended to do a fresh windows install on a SSD, but if you want to keep your files and settings try the above method.
 
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35joebeard

Commendable
Sep 18, 2016
7
0
1,510


Did you initialise your new SSD. If you don't know how, enter it on You Tube as there are vids there which show how to do this. Once done it should be okay.
 
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