How to Fix a “Getting Windows Ready” Stuck Error

One of these solutions should move you past it

Windows 10 updates have a reputation for taking ages to download and install. As if that wasn’t bad enough, some updates also end up getting stuck during the final stages. When that happens, you’ll likely see the “Getting Windows ready” screen spin over and over endlessly.

Usually, the “Getting Windows ready” stuck issue occurs when an update glitches out for no good reason. But sometimes, the problem ends up being severe, with file corruption playing a significant role.

Regardless, the list of troubleshooting tips and fixes below should help you move past the “Getting Windows ready” screen in Windows 10.

Disconnect From the Internet

In some instances, Windows 10 can run into problems communicating with the Microsoft servers while finalizing an update. That causes the operating system to freeze at the “Getting Windows ready” screen and prevents it from transitioning onto the desktop. You can resolve that out by disconnecting from the internet.

If yourPC’s connected over Ethernet, just pull the cable out. If you use Wi-Fi, try turning off the router; some laptops also have a physical switch that you can turn off to deactivate Wi-Fi.

In case a network-related issue was the reason behind the “Getting Windows ready” stuck issue, Windows 10 should finish loading correctly soon after.

Wait It Out

If disconnecting from the internet didn’t help fix the “Getting Windows Ready” error, you should try waiting for at least a couple of hours. That sounds ridiculous. But rarely, updates tend to behave erratically in short and infrequent bursts of activity that can last forever.

It’s best to give Windows 10 the time to take care of things all by itself. Make a coffee or catch up on a TV show to kill time.

Hard Reboot PC

If you still see the “Getting Windows Ready” screen even after waiting around for hours, it’s safe to assume that your PC’s completely stuck. The solution—a hard reboot.

The screen does go on to say “Don’t turn off your computer,” but you’re going to do just the opposite! So, press and hold the PC’s power button until the screen goes dark.

Then, wait for a few seconds and press the power button again to restart your computer. In most cases, your PC should quickly finalize the update and load the Windows 10 desktop.

Warning:It’s not a good idea to perform a hard reboot if you haven’t already waited for a few hours since that may corrupt the operating system.

Fix Issues Using Windows Recovery Environment

If hard resetting your PC did not help fix the “Getting Windows Ready” error, you should enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to repair corrupted files or uninstall previous Windows 10 updates. You can invoke WinRE in two ways:

TheSystem File Checker (SFC)allows you to scan for and fix problems with system-related files.

  1. SelectCommand Promptin WinRE.

  2. Type the SFC command as follows:

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

Note:If needed, replaceCwith the correct drive letter of the boot volume andDwith that of the Windows 10 partition. You can typediskpart, followed bylist volume, to view a list of drives on your PC. The boot volume is the smallest (>500MB), while the Windows 10 partition is the drive that holds the operating system.

  1. PressEnterto start the SFC scan.

If the System File Checker detects and resolves any file-related issues, exit the Command Prompt console and try booting into Windows 10. If not, continue with the other fixes.

TheCheck Disk (CHKDSK) utilityallows you to fix drive-related errors on your computer.

  1. SelectCommand Promptin WinRE.

  2. Type the following command:

chkdsk D: /R

Note:If needed, replaceDwith the drive letter of the partition that contains Windows 10.

  1. PressEnterto run the Check Disk utility. If the Command Prompt console asks you to dismount the drive, pressY, followed byEnter.

CHKDSK can take up to an hour to complete. If it fixes disk-related errors, give another shot at loading Windows 10.

TheStartup Repairoption in WinRE prompts Windows 10 to automatically detect and fix issues that prevent it from booting into the desktop.

The process is entirely automatic. If you’ve got multiple operating systems on your PC, make sure to select the correct Windows 10 installation you want to repair.

If you still can’t fix the “Getting Windows Ready” error, you should uninstall the most recent update that caused the issue to crop up.

  1. SelectUninstall Updatesin WinRE.

  2. SelectUninstall the latest quality updateto uninstall the last minor update, orUninstall the latest feature updateto roll back the previous major update.

  3. If that helped, you shoulddefer Windows 10 updatesfor the time being.

Still Stuck? What Else You Can Do

If you continue to see the “Getting Windows Ready” screen, you’re likely dealing with a broken Windows 10 installation. Here are your remaining options:

In case you had System Restore set up in Windows 10, you can fall back to a previous restore point by using theSystem Restoreoption in WinRE. You can also use the System Image Recovery option to restore the operating system with aWindows 10 system image file.

If you accessed WinRE via Automatic Repair, you should see a Reset PC option underAdvanced options>Troubleshoot. You can use it toreset Windows 10 to factory settings.

You can choose to keep your files during the reset procedure. Or, you can perform a complete overhaul of Windows 10 by getting rid of everything.

The most radical of all fixes –reinstalling Windows 10. If none of the fixes above helped and you still keep running into the “Getting Windows Ready” screen each time you boot up your computer, you have no other recourse but to reinstall Windows 10 from scratch.

You’ll, of course, lose everything on the Windows 10 drive partition. But you don’t have to worry if you’ve backed up your data previously.

Windows Is Ready—Finally!

For the most part, disconnecting from the internet, waiting for a few hours, or force-restarting your PC will help you get past the stuck “Getting Windows ready” screen. If not, taking the time to repair your Windows 10 installation should fix the issue. In all likelihood, however, you wouldn’t have to resort to restoring, resetting, or re-installing Windows 10.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio

Welcome to Help Desk Geek- a blog full of tech tips from trusted tech experts. We have thousands of articles and guides to help you troubleshoot any issue. Our articles have been read over 150 million times since we launched in 2008.

HomeAbout UsEditorial StandardsContact UsTerms of Use

Copyright © 2008-2024 Help Desk Geek.com, LLC All Rights Reserved