If you have Windows Operating System then you might have faced a problem of stuck Windows update. Sometimes it would take ages for the installation of updates. You don’t have to wait for several hours or feel helpless anymore. A detailed description of dealing with these software conflicts in Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10 are provided in this article.
Generally, on Patch Tuesday which the second Tuesday of every month, Microsoft releases the updates for windows and windows prompts us to install the updates frequently without the need to check for updates manually everytime. But Sometimes when we install these Windows updates, we may face the problem of Windows being stuck for several hours. If you are stuck with any of the errors given below for a long time then perform any of the steps provided in the Solutions section.
Errors:
Preparing to configure Windows. Do not turn off your computer.
(OR)
Working on updates x% complete Don't turn off your computer
(OR)
Please do not power off or unplug your machine. Installing update x of x...
(OR)
Keep your PC on until this is done Installing update x of x...
(OR)
Getting Windows ready Don't turn off your computer
(OR)
Configuring Windows updates x% complete Do not turn off your computer.
(OR)
Failure configuring Windows updates. Reverting changes. Do not turn off your computer
SOLUTION :
NOTE: Before performing any of these solutions make sure the updates are really stuck. If you see any of the above error messages for a long time and feel the updates are frozen then try any of these solutions.
1. Restart your computer and update windows in clean boot
Whenever you turn on your computer several applications start automatically and run in the background without manually starting them. These applications and services such as antivirus software, system utility apps, and other services cause software conflicts while updating Windows. But when Windows is started with clean boot, only a minimum number of required drivers and startup programs are used and thus eliminating software conflicts while installing an update in Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7.
Restart your computer
- Long press the power button to turn it off and press the power button again (or) press Ctrl-Alt-Del.
- If you are asked to login then do so and complete installation of updates.
- After restarting if you are navigated to Advanced Boot Options (or) Start Up Settings then Select the Safe Mode and install the updates.
- If the updates aren’t installed then perform clean boot and install the updates.
Windows 10 and 8 Clean Boot
- Login as the system administrator.
- Search msconfig from start and select System Configuration.
- In the Services tab select the “Hide all Microsoft Services” checkbox and click on the Disable all.
- In the Startup tab click on Open Task Manager and then select each startup item and click Disable.
- Save the changes and restart your computer.
Windows 7 Clean Boot
- Login as the system administrator.
- Search msconfig.exe from start and then click Enter to start the System Configuration utility.(Enter the administrator password if prompted)
- In the General tab, select the Selective startup option, and then uncheck the Load startup items check box.
- In the Services tab select the “Hide all Microsoft Services” checkbox and click on the Disable all.(If you disable these services include Plug and Play, Event Logging, Networking and Error Reporting, you may permanently delete all restore points. Do not do perform this step if you want to use the System Restore utility together with existing restore points)
- Save the changes and restart your computer.
After performing the clean boot open Windows Update and then select Settings > Change PC settings > Update and recovery > Windows Update. Now try installing Windows Updates again in windows.
2. Remove any plugged devices from your computer
If there are any removable media connected to your computer then it might cause an issue during the restart of Windows. Unplug all the external removable media which are connected to your computers such as memory cards (Secure Digital card, Memory Stick, and CompactFlash card), removable disks (Blu-ray disks, DVDs, CDs) and USB flash drives.
Perform Hard Shutdown and try an automatic repair with the installation media. From Windows Recovery Environment perform automatic repair by following the steps given below.
- Restart your Windows after inserting the Installation Media such as USB or DVD.
- Press F12 key and click on the drive on which the installation media is inserted.
- After “Windows Setup” window appears, click Next.
- Select Repair your computer -> Troubleshoot -> Advanced options -> Automatic Repair from Advanced boot option.
3. Perform System Restore to Undo the Incomplete Installation Of Updates
With the Windows Installation media perform the system recovery after a hard shutdown. Login as an administrator for performing these below methods.
Windows 8 or 10
- Insert the Windows 8 installation disc in the drive, and then restart the computer.
- Press any key when you are prompted to start from the disc.
- Click on Repair your computer.
- Click on Troubleshoot -> Advanced options -> System Restore
- Select the restore point of your choice and then click Next.
- Follow the instructions on the screen accordingly to perform the System Restore and restart your computer when prompted.
Windows 7
- Insert the Windows 7 installation disc in the drive, and then restart the computer.
- Press any key when you are prompted to start from the disc.
- Configure the Time and currency format, Language to install and Keyboard or input method options of your choice and then select Next.
- Select Repair your computer -> click the Windows version -> Next -> System Restore -> Next
- Select the restore point of your choice and then click Next. The restore point should be a date before the first time that you experienced the error. Use the Choose a different restore point option to select a date and then select Next.
- Select the hard disk to specify the disk to restore and then select Next -> Finish and then restart your windows.
4. Check the RAM
Sometimes RAM may cause interruption for the installation of updates. Test your RAM. It is an easy process among all the steps.
5. BIOS Update
If the updates are related to your hardware or motherboard then updating BIOS could solve the conflict.
