Microsoft provides regular updates to Windows 10 operating system, now Microsoft developers are mainly focused on Windows 11. But this does not mean that they will let Windows 10 behind. There are many Windows 10 users who prefer not to allow Windows 10 operating system to get updated, that’s because there are plenty of updates rolled out every now and then and these updates consume more time to get install on the system. Mind you, you should always keep updating your Windows 10 OS due to security patches, it will also clear bugs and errors that your previous update was mainly having.

Sometimes it happens that while updating your Windows 10 operating system, the updates get stuck and do not move further at all. It accompanies the message as “Getting Windows ready” but nothing happens and the screen is stuck there for hours and hours, it also advises not to turn off your computer. This can be a frustrating situation, especially when you want to access your computer on an urgent basis.

But don’t you worry as we got you all covered up. We have managed to provide you an effective guide that will help you to fix the “Getting Windows ready” stuck error, make sure to read the article till the end.

See also: Can’t See Other Computers on the Network (Windows/macOS/Linux)

Without wasting much of your time, let’s quickly begin!

What is the “Getting Windows ready” stuck error?

When you try to update your Windows 10 operating system, it shows a message as “Getting Windows ready, Don’t turn off your computer”. The message itself suggests not to turn off your computer, you wait for hours and hours but the screen still stucks there and does not move further. This is known as the “Getting Windows ready” stuck error.

What causes the “Getting Windows ready” error to occur?

“Getting Windows ready” error is related to the system update and encounters when you try to update your Windows 10 operating system. It is hard to point out a single reason why it occurs. Following are some valid reasons that can cause the error to occur:

• Corrupted system files during the upgrade process.
• Windows installed an update bug.
• Incomplete Windows downloaded updates.
• Security software.
• Software compatibility
• Network issues.

Now that you have got an idea about what is “Getting Windows ready” error is and why it occurs. We can finally head towards the actual troubleshooting methods.

How to “Fix Getting Windows Ready” Error?

Below are the troubleshooting methods that will help you to fix the error. It advised that if one method works for you stick to it, else move on to the next method.

Waiting for Update to Respond

Here, Microsoft advised its users who have encountered the error to wait for some time or maybe an hour or more. When your Windows 10 PC displays the error, your system could be processing some final tasks in the background like downloading and installing the required files, altering the apps and modules, setting system new system files, and etc.

When this task will get completed, the screen will move further and your system will boot like normal. So wait for 2-3 hours as advised by Microsoft, if still there’s no response, move onto the next method.

Disconnect the Internet Connection

Windows getting ready error might be happening due to the network issue. The update might be having some trouble communicating with Microsoft servers which might be causing the screen to be frozen. If that’s the case, disconnect your system from the internet.

If you are using Wi-Fi or modem: Turn off the router or modem directly so that your system will disconnect from the internet connection.

If you are using an ethernet cable: Unplug the ethernet cable directly from the system.

If the error was causing due to the network, the error will get resolved and the screen will move further.

Shut Down the System and Perform Power Reset

Don’t worry, there’s nothing harm in shutting down the PC, it will clear the memory without damaging the disk. If you ever encounter any corruption issues in the future, performing a hard reset is the solution. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Press the Power button in order to Turn off your computer.

Step 2: Disconnect the all the computer accessories or peripherals such as USB drives, external hard drives, headphones or earphones, printers, etc. You can also consider unplugging the power cables of the peripherals. Also, unplug the power cables from your PC. In case you are using the laptop, remove the battery if it’s detachable.

Step 3: Press and hold the Power button for 20-30 seconds in order to drain all the charge from the capacitors.

Step 4: Connect back the power cables in the PC or battery of the laptop.

Step 5: Press the power button like normally on a PC.

See if the error is resolved or not.

Fix the Error Using Windows Recovery Environment

If disconnecting the internet or performing a hard reset doesn’t fix the error then we will try it by fixing it by Windows recovery mode. Follow each method mentioned below.

Run System File Checker

This will help you to fix reboot issues caused by corrupted files.

Step 1: Perform a hard reset twice when you see the Windows logo to open Automatic Repair. Select Choose an option >Troubleshoot > select Command Prompt in Advanced Options page.

Step 2: In the Command Prompt, type the following code and press Enter.

sfc /scannow 

System file checker will detect the issues and try to fix them if possible, reboot your computer.

Run Check Disk Utility

With the Check Disk Utility, you can be able to fix issues related to the drives, let’s see if this helps to fix the issue.

Step 1: Open WinRE >Troubleshoot > select Command Prompt in Advanced Options page.

Step 2:Type the following command and press Enter.

chkdsk D: /R

Step 3: If Command Prompts asks to dismount the drive, press Y and press Enter.

You can replace D with another drive in the command. This process can take up to an hour to complete.

Uninstall Recently Installed Updates in Safe Mode

The recently installed update might be causing the issues, preventing your system not boot.

Step 1: Go to the Advanced options page and click on Startup Setting.

Step 2: Press F4 to boot your computer in Safe Mode.

Step 3: Your system will successfully boot into Safe Mode, visit the start menu, and open Control Panel.

Step 4: Visit Programs and Features and click on View installed update located in the left panel.

Step 5: Select the installed update and right-click on it to instantly the update.

restart your computer to boot your system normally.

Uninstall Latest Quality Updates

This is another way to uninstall the recent Windows updates.

Step 1: Select Uninstall Updates in the Advanced options.

Step 2: Now select Uninstall the latest quality update.

Your system will roll back to the previous update automatically and you will be able to boot your system normally.

Run Startup Repair

When Startup Repair functions run it detects the issues and fixes them automatically, it is used when your system fails to boot into the normal Windows 10 operating system.

Step 1: Visit Troubleshoot.

Step 2: Select Advanced options.

Step 3: Click on Startup Repair: Fix problems that keep windows from loading

The process is automatic. If you use more than one operating system then select the right Windows 10.

Reset your PC

If nothing working you can reset your PC using Automatic Repair. Here, you don’t have to worry about the data, as you have the option to keep your files and then perform a reset.

Step 1: Open WinRE, and select Advanced Options.

Step 2: Select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.

Step 3: Select Keep this PC if you won’t keep your data, else select Remove everything.

After resetting your PC, it will perform just like new by keeping your data.

What if Nothing Works?

All the troubleshooting methods mentioned above are valid fixes. At this point, the “Getting Windows ready” stuck error should be get resolved and you should be able to boot your system into the Windows 10 operating system normally.

But if nothing is working out despite trying everything, you can re-install the entire Windows 10 operating system from scratch. This fixes all the issues and that you are facing currently. before performing a complete re-installation of Windows 10, make sure you backup your precious data or you might end up getting it lost permanently.

That’s it for now, hope this helps! We are glad to know your thoughts in the comment section below. Till then, stay tuned for more info.

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