Microsoft DOS lock/unlock command
Quick links
About lock / unlock
Availability
Syntax
Examples
Lock allows a user to lock a drive, enabling direct disk access for an application.
Unlock allows a users to unlock a drive, disabling direct disk access for an application
The lock command is an internal command that is available in the below Microsoft operating systems.
LOCK [drive:]
| drive: | Specifies the drive that needs to be locked. |
UNLOCK [drive:]
| drive: | Specifies the drive that needs to be unlocked. |
lock c:
Lock the C: drive
When typing the above command you will receive the below prompt.
WARNING: The LOCK command enables direct access by programs
that can CORRUPT file names
and DESTROY disk data, resulting in the
loss of files on your disk.
Are you sure (Y/N)?
unlock c:
Unlock the C: drive
It is important to know that if errors occur indicating that a process, such as fdisk or a setup of a new program or operating system, cannot continue because the hard disk drive is locked, that using the unlock command will resolve this issue.