You may meet the hardlock.sys error appears when you start up the PC or try to install a Windows update. This post from MiniTool tells you how to fix the annoying issue. Now, keep on your reading.

Some users report that they receive the hardlock.sys error when starting up the PC and other users say that they meet the issue with a blue screen.  Then, you may find the core isolation has been turned off due to the hardlock.sys error.  

Tips:
When you meet the “hardlock.sys error” issue, your PC may be infected by the virus or malware due to the disabled core isolation. It’s highly recommended to back up your PC with a PC backup software like MiniTool ShadowMaker to avoid data loss or system crashes caused by virus attacks. Click the following button to download it.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

What is hardlock.sys? How to fix the issue? Below are details.

Hardlock.sys is a software component of Sentinel/Aladdin HASP and is not essential for the running of the Windows operating system. The file is developed by a third-party provider – but contains Microsoft’s digital signature.

Now, let’s see how to fix the hardlock.sys error on Windows 11.

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How to Fix Hardlock.sys Error

Fix 1: Via Registry Editor

First, you can fix the hardlock.sys error on Windows 11 via Registry Editor.

Tip: Since this is a registry operation, it is recommended that you back up the registry .

Step 1: Type regedit in the Search box and click the OK button to open Registry Editor.

Step 2: Go to the following path:

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Hardlock

Step 3: Double-click on Start entry to edit its properties. Then, set its value data to 4. Click OK to save changes

Fix 2: Reinstall the Hardlock Device Driver.

This solution simply requires you to reinstall the hardlock device driver.

Step 1: Open Device Manager.

Step 2: Find the hardlock device driver and right-click it to choose Uninstall.

Step 3: Wait for the process to complete.

Step 4: Click the Action tab, and select Scan for hardware changes. Then you can download the latest drivers directly from your manufacturer’s website.

Fix 3: Uninstall the Recent Windows Update

Some users report that the “hardlock.sys blue screen error” issue after installing the recent Windows 11. Thus, you can uninstall the updates.

Step 1: Press the Windows + I keys together to open Settings.

Step 2: Go to Windows Update > Uninstall updates.

Step 3: Check if you have installed any new updates. If you find them, click the Uninstall button to uninstall them.

click Uninstall updates

Fix 4: Perform a System Restore

If you have created a system restore point or system image backup with Windows snap-in tools, you can try using the restore point or image file to restore your computer to fix the hardlock.sys error error. Here are the steps for system restoration:

Step 1: In the search menu, input control panel and search for it, then open it.

Step 2: Click Recovery to continue.

Step 3: In the pop-up interface, please choose Open System Restore to continue.

Step 4: In the Restore system files and settings interface, you can click Next to continue.

Step 5: Choose the time to restore your computer to the state it was in the selected event and click Next to continue.

Step 6: You need to confirm the restore point and click Finish. After the system restore is finished, try to shut down your computer again.

When the system restore process is finished, you can reverse your computer to a previous state. Then you can check if the error has gone.

Tips:
If you don’t have a system restore point, you had better back up your system regularly after fixing the issue. You can also try MiniTool ShadowMaker to do that. It has more advanced features than the Windows built-in system restore tool.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Final Words

To sum up, now you can know how to fix the hardlock.sys error on Windows 11. If you want to fix the issue, you can take the above solutions.

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