[SOLVED] Getting Windows Ready Stuck (Windows 11, 10)

Quick Fix

1. Wait 30–60 minutes.
2. Disconnect unnecessary USB devices.
3. Force restart the PC.
4. Boot into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
5. Run Startup Repair.
6. Run SFC, DISM, and CHKDSK.

Image

Common Causes

• Corrupted Windows Update
• Damaged system files
• Driver conflicts
• Insufficient disk space
• Storage errors
• Power interruption

FIXES

Why Does Windows Get Stuck on "Getting Windows Ready"?

This message appears while Windows is:

• Installing Windows Updates
• Configuring system components
• Installing drivers
• Updating the Windows registry
• Cleaning previous update files
• Completing feature updates

Normally the process finishes automatically.

If it doesn't, Windows may have encountered a problem.

How Long Should You Wait?

Many users restart too early.

Recommended wait times:

Large feature updates can legitimately take over an hour on older computers.

If you still hear drive activity, Windows is probably still working.

Fix 1 – Disconnect External Devices

Turn off the computer.

Disconnect:

• USB drives
• External hard drives
• Printers
• Webcams
• Card readers
• Bluetooth adapters
• Game controllers
• Docking stations

Leave only:

• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Monitor

Restart Windows.

Faulty USB devices occasionally prevent Windows from finishing updates.

Fix 2 – Force Restart Windows

If the screen has remained unchanged for several hours:

1. Hold the Power button for 10 seconds.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Turn the computer back on.

If Windows boots normally, immediately install any remaining updates.

Fix 3 – Boot into Windows Recovery

If Windows continues freezing:

1. Turn the PC on.
2. When the Windows logo appears, hold the Power button.
3. Repeat this three times.

Windows should enter:

Automatic Repair

Image

Choose:

Advanced Options

Fix 4 – Run Startup Repair

Inside Recovery:

Troubleshoot

Image

Advanced Options

Image

Startup Repair

Windows automatically scans and repairs startup issues that may be preventing updates from completing.

Image

Fix 5 – Uninstall the Latest Windows Update

Many "Getting Windows Ready" issues are caused by a failed cumulative update.

From Recovery:

Advanced Options ➨ Uninstall Updates

Image

Choose:

• Uninstall Latest Quality Update

or

• Uninstall Latest Feature Update

Restart Windows afterward.

Fix 6 – Run System File Checker

Open Command Prompt from Advanced Options.

Run:

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows

Replace C: if Windows is installed on another drive.

SFC repairs corrupted Windows system files.

Fix 7 – Repair the Windows Image with DISM

If Windows eventually boots:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

Run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Wait for the repair to complete.

Restart your PC.

Fix 8 – Check the Hard Drive

Corrupted storage is another common cause.

Run:

chkdsk C: /f /r

Allow Windows to scan for:

• Bad sectors
• File system corruption
• Lost clusters

Large drives can take several hours.

Fix 9 – Perform System Restore

If the problem began after a recent update:

Recovery ➨ Advanced Options  ➨ System Restore

Image

Choose a restore point created before the issue started.

Personal files remain untouched.

Fix 10 – Boot into Safe Mode

Recovery ➨ Startup Settings ➨ Restart

Press 4 for Safe Mode.

Once Windows loads:

• Remove recently installed software
• Update drivers
• Remove problematic antivirus software
• Install pending Windows updates

Restart normally.

Fix 11 – Reset Windows

If none of the previous methods work:

Recovery ➨ Troubleshoot ➨ Reset this PC

Image

Choose:

Keep my files

Windows reinstalls itself while preserving personal documents.

If Windows Boots Successfully

Once you're back in Windows:

• Install all pending Windows Updates.
• Update device drivers.
• Check SSD or HDD health.
• Free at least 20 GB of disk space.
• Create a Restore Point.
• Run a full malware scan.
• Restart the computer once more to ensure updates complete correctly.

Prevent It from Happening Again

You can reduce the chances of seeing this issue again by:

• Keeping at least 20–30 GB of free storage.
• Avoiding forced shutdowns during updates.
• Keeping BIOS and firmware current.
• Updating storage and chipset drivers.
• Running Windows Update regularly instead of postponing updates for long periods.
• Using a UPS on desktop PCs to prevent interruptions during updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my files?

No. These repair methods do not normally delete personal files.

Can I turn the PC off?

Only after waiting a reasonable amount of time and confirming Windows is no longer making progress.