Windows Update Stuck? How to Fix It Without Losing Files

The progress bar has been sitting at the same percentage for an hour, or Windows keeps showing “Working on updates” and won’t let you use your PC. When Windows Update is stuck, the instinct is to hold the power button, but that can sometimes make things worse. Follow these steps in order to fix a stuck Windows Update without risking your files.

Is Windows Update stuck, or just slow?

Large feature updates can take a long time, especially on older PCs with hard drives. The percentage often pauses at certain points (like 30%, 99% or 100%) while Windows does work in the background.

Signs that it’s still working:

• The hard drive activity light blinks.
• You can hear the drive or fan working.
• The percentage moves, even slowly, over 30 minutes.

Give it at least one to two hours before doing anything, and keep laptops plugged in. Interrupting an update in the middle of installing can damage system files.

If it’s stuck on “Working on updates” during restart

1. Wait at least two hours with no change.
2. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete. If a screen appears, use the power icon in the corner to restart.
3. If nothing responds, hold the power button for about 10 seconds to turn the PC off, wait a minute, and turn it back on.

Windows will usually either finish the update or roll it back with a message like “Undoing changes”. Let that finish too.

If Windows won’t start normally

After two or three failed boots, Windows should open the Automatic Repair or Choose an option screen. From there:

• Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates lets you remove the latest quality or feature update.
• Startup Settings lets you boot into Safe Mode.
• System Restore returns Windows to an earlier restore point, if one exists.

If the update is stuck downloading or installing in Settings

When Windows works normally but the update itself won’t progress in Settings > Windows Update, try these fixes one at a time and check for updates again after each.

1. Restart and try again

A plain restart clears many temporary glitches. Then click Check for updates.

2. Make sure you have enough free space

Updates need room to download and unpack. If drive C is nearly full, follow our guide to free up space on drive C and try again.

3. Run the troubleshooter

Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and run Windows Update. In some recent versions, Windows sends you to the Get Help app instead, which runs the same checks.

4. Pause and resume updates

In Settings > Windows Update, click Pause updates, restart, then go back and click Resume updates. This sometimes clears a stuck download.

5. Reset the Windows Update cache

If downloads keep failing, the cached update files may be corrupted. Resetting them is safe; Windows downloads fresh copies.

1. Search for cmd, right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
2. Run these commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:

net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
net start wuauserv
net start bits

Restart your PC and check for updates again. You can delete the SoftwareDistribution.old folder later once updates work.

6. Repair system files

Corrupted Windows files can block updates. In an administrator Command Prompt, run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Wait for it to finish (it can take a while), then run:

sfc /scannow

Restart when both are done.

7. Disconnect extra hardware and security software

Unplug external drives, printers and USB hubs you don’t need during the update. Some third-party antivirus programs can also interfere; temporarily disabling them, or switching to Microsoft Defender, can help. Our article on the best free antivirus for Windows explains your options.

8. Install the update manually

Note the update’s KB number from Windows Update (for example, KB5xxxxxx). Search for that number in the Microsoft Update Catalog on Microsoft’s official website, download the version for your system and run it.

Prevent stuck updates next time

• Keep at least 20 GB free on drive C.
• Set Active hours in Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options so restarts happen when you’re not working.
• Install updates regularly rather than letting them pile up for months.
• Keep laptops plugged in during big updates.

If your PC is still slow after updating, check our guide on why your computer is so slow.

FAQ

How long should a Windows update take?

Monthly security updates often install in 10 to 30 minutes. Large feature updates can take an hour or more, especially on older PCs with hard drives. Wait at least two hours before assuming it’s stuck.

Is it safe to turn off my PC during an update?

It’s best to avoid it, because it can corrupt files. If there’s been no progress or disk activity for a couple of hours, a forced restart is usually recoverable, since Windows can roll back the update.

Will resetting the SoftwareDistribution folder delete my files?

No. That folder only stores temporary update downloads and history. Your documents, photos and apps aren’t affected. You may lose the update history list in Settings.

Can I stop Windows from updating?

You can pause updates for a limited time in Settings > Windows Update. Stopping them permanently isn’t recommended, because updates include important security fixes.