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This might take several minutes Windows update error [FIX]
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Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Windows updates occasionally get stuck when you boot up your desktop or laptop.
That doesn’t happen often, but some users have reported thatWindows Updategets stuck when stating:We’ve got some updates for your PC. This might take several minutes.
However, it doesn’t take several minutes asthe update is stuckfor hours; and the users can’t log in to Windows.
Does that sound like a familiar issue? If so, this is how you can log in to Windows when an update gets stuck.
What can I do if Windows 10 updates might take several minutes?
1. Give the Update Some Time to Finish
Ok, this might be an obvious suggestion, but don’t assume an update is stuck too quickly. Most minor updates don’t usually take much longer than half an hour.
However, major updates usually take more than an hour. TheWindows 10 Fall Creators Updatecan take up to four hours.
In this case, it states that itmight take several minutes, which suggests that this is a minor update. If it were a major update, it would not say that it will take several minutes.
However, wait at least an hour for the update to finish.
2. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del Hotkey
The first thing to do when Windows is stuck updating is to press the Ctrl + Alt + Del hotkey. That might take you to the Windows login screen.
From there, you can then log in to Windows as you usually would. Alternatively, you can also shut down or restart Windows.
3. Reset Your Desktop or Laptop
If Ctrl + Alt + Del doesn’t open the Windows login screen, reset your desktop or laptop.
Press your desktop’s or laptop’s start button for about five secs to switch off the PC. Then you can switch it back on again.
4. Unplug Your Laptop
If the update is stuck on a laptop, you can unplug the laptop instead. Then the laptop’s battery will eventually run out. Thereafter, you can plug the laptop back in and start it up again.
Alternatively, recharge the laptop and then start it.
5. Start Windows in Safe Mode
If the update is still stuck, then start Windows in Safe Mode. It used to be the case that you could start Windows in Safe Mode by pressing F8 during boot up.
However, that doesn’t work for Windows 10 Safe Mode.
You can selectSafe Modevia the Advanced Startup Options menu.
To open the Advanced Startup Options menu, you’ll need to insert a Windows 10/8 setup DVD or USB flash drive when you start the laptop or desktop.
SelectTroubleshoot,Advanced options,andStartup Repairon the Advanced Startup Options menu. Then press 4 to selectEnable Safe Modeon the Startup Settings menu.
If you don’t have a Windows 10/8 setup DVD or flash drive, you can still set up a recovery disk with an empty USB stick if you have another desktop or laptop.
That PC must also include the same platform as the one with the stuck update.
Then you can set up a Windows recovery drive, as outlinedin this post, with which to open the Advanced Startup Options menu.
6. Utilize the System Restore Tool
You can utilize theSystem Restore toolwhen you’re in Windows Safe Mode. That will undo the incomplete update. This is how you can utilize the System Restore tool inWindows 10.
7. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
The Windows Update troubleshooter can also fix Windows Update issues. That troubleshooter might fix Windows Update so there are no further stuck updates.
You can open that troubleshooter in Win 10 as follows.
8. Switch Off the Windows Update Service
Perhaps the best way to ensure you don’t get any further stuck updates is to switch the Windows Update service off. However, then Windows will not get further updates.
Nonetheless, that will be a sufficient temporary fix for recurring stuck updates if nothing else. This is how you canswitch Windows Update off.
So that’s how you can fix stuck updates primarily for Windows 10. Start Windows in Safe Mode if required, and then utilize the System Restore tool or the Win update, troubleshooter.
Switch off the update service as a final resolution. Check outthis articlefor some further tips that might fix Windows Update.
More about the topics:Windows Update
Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it.
He is passionate about the tech world, always staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest. With an analytical view, he likes problem-solving, focusing on errors and their causes.
In his free time, he likes to read and write about history and tries to always develop new skills.
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Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
He is passionate about everything surrounding Microsoft’s OS, focusing on troubleshooting guides & tips for everyday problems.