Most of the time, Windows Update does its job with little if any attention from us. Show
While we might check and install updates manually from time to time, most Windows 11/10 computers are configured to apply important updates automatically, while older versions like Windows 7 and Windows 8 usually apply these fixes the night of Patch Tuesday. Sometimes, however, when the patch, or maybe even service pack, is being installed during shutdown or startup, the update installation gets stuck—freezes, locks up, stops, hangs, clocks, whatever you want to call it. Windows Update is taking forever, and it's clear something needs to be done. 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:
You might also see 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 the screen. There might also be some wording differences 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 might have been installed completely but could be the cause of whatever you're experiencing, see our How to Fix Problems Caused by Windows Updates 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 updates started installing. Much more rarely are they caused by a mistake on Microsoft's part regarding the update itself, but it does happen. Any of Microsoft's operating systems could experience freezing issues during Windows updates, including Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and others. 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, install Windows Vista SP1 or later 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 might 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 hard drive activity light. You'll see either no activity at all (stuck) or very regular but very short flashes of light (not stuck). Chances are that the updates are hung before the 3-hour mark, but this is a reasonable amount of time to wait and longer than we've ever seen a Windows update take to successfully install. How to Fix a Stuck Windows Update Installation
Still Having Stuck/Freezing Issues Related to Windows Update?If updates are stuck installing on or just after Patch Tuesday (the second Tuesday of the month), see our details on the latest Patch Tuesday for more on these specific patches. How to Fix It When Windows 10 Won't Update Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe What to do if Windows 10 update is taking too long?Don't react too soon — it might not really be stuck.. Check your update history.. Restart your computer.. Run the troubleshooter.. Try the update in Safe Mode.. Try the Windows Startup Repair.. Start fresh with a clean install of Windows.. How do I make Windows 10 update faster?5 Useful tips for speeding up Windows 10 updates. Free up storage space and defragment your hard drive. ... . Run Windows Update Troubleshooter. ... . Disable startup software. ... . Optimize your network. ... . Schedule updates for low-traffic periods.. Why is my Windows update taking forever?The time it takes for an update depends on a lot of factors including the age of your machine and the speed of your internet connection. Even though it might take a couple of hours for some users, but for a lot of users, it takes more than 24 hours despite having a good internet connection and a high-end machine.
What will happen if I turn off my laptop while updating?So, you can always restart the updates if your PC shuts down. Sometimes you may experience crashes and data loss if you force a shut down. These crashes occur when the operating system gets corrupted, which increases the chances of your PC developing some malfunctions.
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