Fix: Hardlock.sys Error in Windows 10

How to fix Hardlock.sys Error in Windows 10?

To fix the Hardlock.sys Error in Windows 10, you will need to log in to your system. If you can do it easily, then it is well and good. Otherwise, you may need to boot into Safe Mode, enter the Advanced Startup options screen, or use the Installation Media to boot.

Method 1: Registry Editor:

The Hardlock.sys being an Aladdin HASP software component, that is, a third-party application, doing a registry tweak can come to great use. Doing so may help you install the Windows 10 updates without facing the BSOD error.

Before you do so, it is important to create a system restore point or back up the registry just for precaution. After that, follow the steps below:

Press Windows key + R
In the Run box, type “regedit”
Then hit the Enter button.
Open Registry Editor
Now navigate to the below path;

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Hardlock

There on the right-pane, Double-click on the Start option
Go to properties, and set the value data as 4
Click OK and Save the changes.

Method 2: Uninstall driver via Command Prompt:

As we know, the hardlock.sys process is well known as Hardlock Device Driver for Windows NT. Sometimes, simply uninstalling the problematic driver using the command line is the best solution to escape from the error. Once you are done with it, retry the update installation again, and it must be completed without any errors.

Firstly, Download the haspdinst zip file
Then Unzip the file to your C: drive
Press Windows key + R altogether
In the Run dialog box, you have to type “cmd”
Then press CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER to open Command Prompt in admin/elevated mode
In the newly opened window type or copy and paste the command below and press Enter

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

Once the problematic driver uninstalled, try to update your system.

Method 3: Update the Driver:

Another solution to get rid of the error is to update the concerned driver, follow the steps below to do so;

First of all, press Windows key + X
Once the Power User Menu opens, Press the M key
After opening the Device Manager console, expand the device’s list and find Sentinel Driver
Right-click on it and do select the Update Driver option
On the next window and click on Search automatically for drivers option
Then follow the on-screen instructions and finish the update process

Method 4: Pause Windows Updates:

If you face the issue for the first time, then the error might get fixed when you pause the auto-updates features of Microsoft.

Press Windows key+I
Open Settings and click on Updates & Security option
Click on Pause updates for 7 days (using this option you can pause updates for 7 more days)
Then you can click on Advanced options
Scroll down and delay or pause the updates for up to 30 days
After executing the changes, exit from the Windows update window.

Method 5: Uninstall Window Updates:

Uninstalling the updates of Windows for a certain time, till a newer version is released in the future, is the best option that you have in-hand to handle this glitch.

Go to Settings
Click on the option Update & Security option
Then click on the View update history option
There you would see a list of recent Window updates.
You can click on the Uninstall updates option from the list and follow the on-screen instructions
Once the process is completed, Reboot your device.

Now let’s assume that your device is running smoothly. We know that the hardlock.sys error in Windows 10 is quite common, but dealing with it might be very frustrating. In such a situation, you may feel like throwing away the device – but, wait!

Take some time, and try out the methods that we have suggested above. The methods suggested by us are tried and tested and derived from reliable sources. If you have any queries or feedback, please write down the comment in the below comment box.

Fix: Hardlock.sys Error in Windows 10

How to fix Hardlock.sys Error in Windows 10?

Method 1: Registry Editor:

Method 2: Uninstall driver via Command Prompt:

Method 3: Update the Driver:

Method 4: Pause Windows Updates:

Method 5: Uninstall Window Updates:

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