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Post Windows Updates > Surface Book Won't Boot > Boot Error 0xc000007b || and, "The drive where Windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again."

Anonymous
2016-09-19T04:04:10+00:00

Post Windows Updates > Surface Book Won't Boot > Boot Error 0xc000007b|| and, "The drive where Windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again."

I recently had my Surface Book auto-update the most recent September 2016 updates, without being aware, I suppose.  I was intentionally rebooting my Surface Book because I downloaded & installed iExplorer (iPhone file/drive manager | https://www.macroplant.com/iexplorer/).  After installing that application, as I have on other Windows PCs, it required that install a version of the .NET framework. When it rebooted, it went into a BSOD, or technically a flickering White screen of death, counted down, and restarted w/ the following attached screenshots.

The error in above blurred screen shot is [[0xc000007b]]When I did some research on Microsoft Surface support and otherwise, I ended up creating a USB recovery drive, as specified for my Surface Book.  [[SurfaceBook_BMR_15_5.267.0.zip]]. I created the USB Recovery Drive, replaced the contents on the drive w/ the contents of the ZIP, and when I tried to "Repair Your Computer" > that wasn't an option, but when I tried to "reset my PC", I ended up getting the error: "The drive where Windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again.".

I'm stuck in a loop and don't know how to proceed. The Surface Book is within warranty, less than a year old (original purchase in March 2016).

Surface | Surface Book | Install and update

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-09-19T13:57:51+00:00

    Hello,

    I understand your concern. We're glad to help you out.

    Kindly check this linkfor more information on how to troubleshoot Windows won't start.

    Meanwhile, you can follow the methods below:

    Method 1:

    If you do not have an Installation Media, then refer to the following Microsoft Help article to create one here.

    Method 2:

    Automatic Repair. ****

    1. Insert the installation USB and boot Windows 10 from it.
2. In the **‘Windows setup’** page select the **‘language to install’**,**‘Time and currency format’** and the ‘**keyboard or input method’** and click on **‘next’**.
3. Click on **‘Repair your computer’** and select **‘Troubleshoot’**.
4. Click on **‘Advanced options’**and select**‘Automatic Repair’**and select the operating system.

    Let us know the status of the issue. We will be glad to assist you further.

    Kind regards.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-09-19T19:01:33+00:00

    Thank you. I'll try these steps and that link when I get home. I hadn't visited that link yet.

    Does it matter what size the flash drive? I tried creating USB recovery drives on  3 different drives with only one booting. I had an 8GB USB 2.0 drive that the Surface Book would recognize/ boot the USB recovery screens but not the 32GB USB 3.0 drive or a 250GB USB 2.0 (?) WD HDD. 

    Thanks again. I'll keep checking back.

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