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:

Preparing to configure Windows. / Do not turn off your computer.Configuring Windows updates / x% complete / Do not turn off your computer.Please do not power off or unplug your machine. / Installing update x of x…Working on updates / x% complete / Don’t turn off your computerKeep your PC on until this is done / Installing update x of x…Getting Windows ready / Don’t turn off your computer

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.

Cause of a Frozen or Stuck Windows Update

There 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.

Make Sure the Updates Are Actually Stuck

Some 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

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. If so, log on as you normally would and let the updates continue to install successfully. If the Windows update installation is truly frozen, you have no other choice but to hard-reboot. If you’re automatically taken to the Advanced Boot Options or Startup Settings menu after restarting, choose Safe Mode and see the comments in Step 3 below. If the Windows updates do install successfully, and you continue to Safe Mode, just restart from there to enter Windows normally. Since you can’t access Windows normally, try doing this from Safe Mode. See the link in Step 3 if you’re not sure how to start in Safe Mode. 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 change Windows Update settings so this problem doesn’t reoccur on its own. Since these menus of tools are available from “outside” of Windows, you can try this even if Windows is completely unavailable.

Windows 11, 10, and 8: Try a Startup Repair. If that doesn’t do the trick, try the Reset This PC process (the non-destructive option, of course). Windows 7 and Windows Vista: Try the Startup Repair process. Windows XP: Try the Repair Install process.

If one or more of the updates Windows is trying to install is involved with how Windows works with your motherboard or other built-in hardware, a BIOS update could solve the issue.