Windows Update Stuck or Frozen? Here's What to Do
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The "Keep Your PC On Until This is Done" Message.&
Most of the time,
does its job with little attention from us.While we might check and install updates manually from time to time, most Windows 10 computers are configured to apply important updates automatically while older versions usually apply these fixes the night of .Sometimes however, when the , or maybe even , is being installed during shutdown or startup, the update installation gets stuck - freezes, locks up, stops, hangs, clocks, whatever you want to call it.
The installation of one or more Windows updates is probably stuck or frozen if you see one of the following messages persist for a long time:"Preparing to configure Windows.Do not turn off your computer.""Configuring Windows updatesx% completeDo not turn off your computer.""Please do not power off or unplug your machine.Installing update x of x..."
"Working on updatesx% completeDon't turn off your computer""Keep your PC on until this is doneInstalling update x of x...""Getting Windows readyDon't turn off your computer"You might also see a "Stage 1 of 1" or "Stage 1 of 3" or a similar message prior to the second example. Sometimes "Restarting" is all you'll see on screen. There might be some wording differences too depending on which version of Windows you're using.If you don't see anything at all on screen, especially if you think the updates may have been installed completely, see my
tutorial instead.Cause of a Frozen or Stuck Windows UpdateThere are several reasons why the installation or finalization of one or more Windows updates can hang.
Most often, these types of problems are due to a software conflict or a preexisting issue that simply wasn't brought to light until the Windows updates started installing. Much more rarely they're caused by a mistake on Microsoft's part regarding the update itself.Note: There's an actual issue with Windows that can cause Windows Update installations to freeze like this but it's only applicable to Windows Vista and only if SP1 hasn't yet been installed.
If your computer fits that description,
to solve the problem.Make Sure the Updates Are Actually StuckSome Windows updates can take several minutes or more to configure or install so you want to make sure the updates are truly stuck before moving on. Trying to fix a problem that doesn't really exist will just create a problem.You can tell if Windows updates are stuck if nothing happens on screen for 3 hours or more. If there's any wonder after that long, take a look at your . You'll see either no activity at all (stuck) or very regular but very short flashes of light (not stuck).Chances are the updates are hung before the 3-hour mark, but this is a reasonable amount of time to wait and longer than I've ever seen a Windows update take to successfully install.How To Fix a Stuck Windows Update InstallationPress . In some situations, the Windows update(s) may be hung at a very particular part of the installation process and you could be presented with your Windows login screen after executing the Ctrl-Alt-Del keyboard command.If so, log on as you normally would and let the updates continue to install successfully.Note: If your computer restarts after the Ctrl-Alt-Del, read the second Note in Step 2 below. If nothing happens (most likely) then move on to Step 2. Restart your computer, using either the reset button or by powering it off and then back on using the . Hopefully, Windows will start normally and finish installing the updates.I realize that you're probably explicitly told not to do this by the message on the screen, but if the Windows update installation is truly frozen then you have no other choice but to hard reboot.Tip: Depending on how Windows and /UEFI are configured, you may have to hold down the power button for three to four seconds before the computer will turn off. On a tablet or laptop, removing the battery may be necessary.Note: If you're using Windows 10 or Windows 8, and you're taken to the sign-in screen after the restart, try tapping or clicking the power icon on the bottom-right and choosing Update and Restart, if available.Note: If you're automatically taken to the
menu after restarting, choose Safe Mode and see the comments in Step 3 below. . This special diagnostic mode of Windows only loads the minimum
that Windows absolutely needs so if another program or service is conflicting with one of the Windows updates, the install might finish up just fine.If the Windows updates do install successfully and you continue to , just restart from there to enter Windows normally.
to undo the changes made so far by the incomplete installation of the Windows updates. Since you can't access Windows normally, try doing this from Safe Mode. See the link in Step 2 if you're not sure how to start in Safe Mode.Note: During the , be sure to choose the
created by Windows just prior to the update installation.Assuming a restore point was made and System Restore is successful, your computer should be returned to the state it was in before the updates started. If this problem occurred after automatic updating, like what happens on Patch Tuesday, be sure to
so this problem doesn't reoccur on its own. Try System Restore from
(Windows 8 & 10) or
(Windows 7 & Vista) if you're not able to access Safe Mode or if the restore failed from Safe Mode. Since these menus of tools are available from "outside" of Windows, you can try this even if Windows is completely unavailable.Important: System Restore is only available from outside of Windows if you're using Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista. This option is not available in Windows XP. . While a System Restore is a more direct way of undoing changes, in this case a Windows update, a Startup Repair (or ) could be helpful if a System Restore isn't successful for some reason. . It's possible that failing
could be causing the patch installations to freeze. Luckily memory is really easy to test. . An outdated BIOS isn't a common cause for this problem, but it's possible.If one or more of the updates Windows is trying to install is involved with how Windows works with your
or other built-in , a BIOS update could solve the issue. . A clean install involves completely erasing the
that Windows is installed on and then installing Windows again from scratch on that same drive.Obviously you don't want to do this if you don't have to but it's a very likely fix if the troubleshooting steps prior to this one were unsuccessful.Note: It might seem likely that reinstalling Windows, and then these same exact Windows updates, will cause the same problem but that isn't usually what happens. Since most lock-up issues caused by updates by Microsoft are actually software conflicts, a clean install of Windows, followed promptly by the installation of all available updates, usually results in a perfectly working computer. if you've had success escaping a hung Windows update installation using a method I don't have included in the troubleshooting above. I'd be happy to include it here.Applies ToAny of Microsoft's
could experience freezing issues during Windows updates including , , , , , and more.Still Having Freezing Issues Related to Windows Update?If updates are stuck installing on or just after Patch Tuesday (the second Tuesday of the month), see my
piece for more on these specific patches.Windows 10 updates seem to get stuck much more often because Microsoft pushes those fixes out more regularly. If you use Windows 10, or you don't think your problem is related to Microsoft's monthly updates, see instead
for information about contacting me on social networks or via email, posting on tech support forums, and more.Be sure to let me know exactly what's happening, what updates you're installing (if you know) and what steps, if any, you've already taken to try to fix the problem.
What to Do When Windows Update Gets Stuck or is FrozenKeep your PC. plugged in until this is done Installing update9of9该怎么办_百度知道
Keep your PC. plugged in until this is done Installing update9of9该怎么办
提问者采纳
保证台式电脑一直接通电源，直至全部9个更新安装完毕。
提问者评价
谢谢！帮助我解决问题了。
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出门在外也不愁美国买的电脑 keep your pc plugged in until this is don_百度作业帮
美国买的电脑 keep your pc plugged in until this is don
美国买的电脑 keep your pc plugged in until this is don
自己不会一个一个查单词啊懒虫这句话的意思,你的插头松了!无语
是系统更新，蓝屏状态显示的}