Tip: If it appears to be taking forever to download and install an update, reboot your PC and leave it to update itself overnight. This is just so you don’t involve yourself when your PC is taking too long to install an update. Show
Imagine while using a laptop or a desktop in typing for important documents the computer suddenly acts strangely and it gets stuck. On the computer screen, it says "Preparing to configure Windows. Do not turn off your computer" and it went straight to shutting down. The worst-case scenario is that it took forever to finish. This is annoying and frustrating. What could be the reason that this is happening? If you experience this multiple times already, can it be avoided completely? Read more to find out. OverviewMicrosoft System Configuration or MSConfig is a system used to troubleshoot Microsoft Windows. It can re-enable, or disable the software, device drivers, and Windows programs that run in a startup process to help determine the root cause of the problem in the Windows system. A computer system like Windows 10 will automatically configure the important updates, while others need a manual update. However, when an update is being installed during startup or shutdown, then the installation process may get stuck, locked up, freezes, or hang. It may take longer to finish the Windows update that is why it needs to be fixed. The following error message may be seen on the computer screen when installation issues arise: What are the Reasons for "Preparing to configure Windows" Stuck?There are many causes for your system to get stuck on "Preparing to configure Windows." The most common reason is any software conflict or any prior hidden issue that didn’t surface until the Windows updates started installing. A much rarer cause for your screen being frozen is a mistake on Microsoft's part regarding the update itself. Apart from these, there are other factors as well that can lead to such types of issues, such as-
But, whatever the reason, if installation of your windows updates is taking longer than usual and you smell something fishy, focus on repairing the issue that doesn’t lead to a new problem. You can follow the suggested solutions in this article. What to Do When "Preparing to configure Windows" Pops up?Method 1. Wait until all your Windows updates are installed completelyIf your computer or laptop is stuck on "Preparing to configure Windows," it may imply that your Windows system is installing the updates. If a long time has passed before you installed your Windows updates, it may take more time to install all the updates than usual. So, you must wait patiently and give enough time to your Windows system to successfully install all the updates. Depending on your hardware specifications, your system might take around 2 hours. Sometimes, the updates get stuck at a particular point and may take longer than 2 hours. In that case, press Ctrl+Alt+Del to open your Windows login screen. Log on normally and continue installing the updates. However, if the Windows login screen doesn’t display after giving the keyboard command, you should try the next given solutions. Method 2. Use the System Restore.Before doing this, make sure that there is a system restore point in the system. The absence of the system restore point may not help with the issue. Please be guided by the following instructions:
Before running any update issues, creating a manual restore point may also be an option. Here's how to:
Method 3. Reboot Windows 10 in Safe Mode.Rebooting the computer in Safe Mode will avoid the normal rebooting process. However, check first if the computer can do the rebooting in Safe Mode. It will ask to log on, and that is where the repair will begin. Method 4. Startup Repair for Windows 10.Fixing the entire operating system can be done through the Advanced Startup Options menu. It has Startup Settings which includes Safe Mode, among the startup methods. It should automatically appear after two startup errors. On the contrary, if it needs to be opened manually, then the following ways help do so: Option 1: Shift and Restart. This is the easiest way so far. Long press the Shift key while searching Restart from the Power icon and wait until the Advanced Startup Options menu opens. Option 2: Settings Menu.
Option 3: Shutdown Command.
Option 4: Boot from the Windows Installation Media
Option 5: Boot from the Windows Recovery Drive
Option 6: Boot directly from the Advanced Startup Options
Method 5. Run ChkDisk Scan.As discussed above, one of the reasons your computer is stuck on "Preparing to configure Windows" issue is due to some disk errors, which can prevent the installation of software. So, to detect and eliminate any such disk errors you can run a ChkDisk Scan. To initiate it:
ConclusionIn trying to fix computer errors, especially if the computer user has no background or is not tech-savvy, carefully reading and understanding all the on-screen errors is very important. However, if the message has become overwhelming to answer, then better stop right there to avoid creating new problems, one after another. Check with the trusted technician instead. Why is my Windows 10 installation taking so long?If your Windows 10 installation is taking too long, you can take some steps to find out and eliminate the problem. Compare your computer with Windows 10's minimum hardware requirements. Use a better installation medium like a USB, and ensure it's fully functional. Check for damaged USB ports and use one that works.
Why is getting ready for installation stuck?Waiting for file download and suddenly it got stuck i.e. getting files ready for installation stuck. This kind of error usually occurs due to file system errors or the operating system itself. If related to the drive, it can be due to bad sectors, disk integrity corruption, or virus/malware attack.
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