Antivirus software, indexing services (Windows Search), or system backups are scanning the drive.
. This removes all partition information and should break any program locks. Format the Drive Manually After cleaning, go to Disk Management in Windows.
If you need to check if the drive is already damaged before trying these steps, Share public link
The "TransMac drive has been locked by another program" error primarily occurs because Windows or another application is using your drive before TransMac can access it. This is typically a software lock rather than a hardware problem.
TransMac locks the drive exclusively when it’s performing operations (reading/writing). The “locked by another program” error usually means: transmac drive has been locked by another program hot
: Specifically designed to handle macOS DMGs on Windows with fewer locking issues.
If you continue to have trouble, ensure you are using the latest version of TransMac from Acute Systems.
Always use the application's built-in exit function rather than closing the window directly.
By understanding what causes this error and following these systematic troubleshooting steps, you can quickly resolve the issue and get back to managing your Mac drives from Windows. Format the Drive Manually After cleaning, go to
Windows File Explorer constantly attempts to read plugged-in devices. If it is stuck trying to understand a Mac-formatted partition, it locks the drive. and File Explorer windows. Unplug the USB drive, wait 5 seconds, and plug it back in.
Search for in your Start menu, right-click it, and Run as Administrator . Type diskpart and press Enter.
or third-party antivirus software, as these often scan the drive the moment it's plugged in, locking it for TransMac. Check for Mounted ISOs
Windows Explorer is often the culprit. If you have a window open showing the contents of the USB drive, TransMac will be blocked. Close all File Explorer windows. TransMac locks the drive exclusively when it’s performing
: If these built-in Windows tools are actively analyzing the drive, they may prevent other software from taking control. Step-by-Step Fixes
Now, open TransMac and try to format/restore the image again. 4. Remove Drive Locks in BIOS (If Applicable)
Are you trying to create a bootable drive for a , or are you just trying to access files on a Mac-formatted drive?
If the basic steps don't work, one of these deeper system conflicts is likely the cause: Disable Windows Defender/Antivirus