Is It Possible Windows 10 Won't Update Due To Outdated Bios?

How to set a stuck Windows update

From launching in safe manner to going back in time with organisation restore, here's how to fix a stuck Windows update to become you back upwardly and running

Trying to effigy out how to fix a stuck Windows update? It'south one of those things you don't need to know....until you practice! Most of the time, Windows 10 ticks along beautifully, seamlessly updating what needs to be updated without requiring whatsoever assistance from us users.

But, ever so occasionally, all that hard work behind the scenes gets a footling clogged up and one of those updates gets stuck. Not to worry though, it'due south easy enough to sort out, and in fact, by the time you get to the finish of this piece, you'll have those stuck updates sorted in no time.

Nosotros know that operating systems can be a real job - information technology'southward kind of like the computer equivalent of doing your taxes, right? They are, still, a necessary evil when it comes to keeping your PC or laptop humming along smoothly. After all, it's easier to fix a stuck Windows 10 update than it is to have to purchase a new estimator because your current one has crashed.

Usually, a stuck update is the result of a software conflict or a preexisting issue that causes the screen to freeze and even the all-time Windows laptops tin experience these issues from fourth dimension to time. If you're a fan of the best MacBooks and Macs and have installed Windows onto one of those, y'all may also find your updates become stuck from fourth dimension to time.

Fifty-fifty though Microsoft's launch of Windows xi is another instance of how the company are trying to continue to make the process of updates as pain-costless as possible, merely installing updates doesn't always run as smoothly as nosotros like. That being said, even when things exercise go stuck, in that location'due south near always a ready.

So don't panic and read on. We've got you covered. Although we're largely looking at Windows 10, you'll find many of the tips and tricks every bit applicative to older versions of Windows. Without farther ado, hither are a few nifty means that yous can fix a stuck Windows update...

How to set up a stuck Windows x update

Brand certain the updates really are stuck
Turn it off and on over again
Check the Windows Update utility
Run Microsoft's troubleshooter program
Launch Windows in Safe Mode
Go back in time with Organisation Restore
Delete the Windows Update file cache yourself
Launch a thorough virus scan
Run a total Windows reset

1. Brand sure the updates really are stuck

Nosotros're going to embrace a lot of ground 1 how to prepare a stuck Windows update for several versions of Windows and a diversity of 'stuck' scenarios, so yous may have to tweak some of these steps to adjust your situation and software.

The first bespeak to make is that interfering with updates that aren't actually stuck can cause a host of problems, then you desire to make sure they really are stuck.

If y'all've got the time, and the patience, we'd recommend waiting a couple of hours, especially with slower machines – go and cutting the grass or watch a movie. Information technology may seem extreme, but you don't desire to start meddling with these fundamental processes unless y'all really have to.

2. Plow it off and on again

Do you know why "have you tried turning it off and on again" is such an It support cliché? Considering when it comes to being able to quickly fix a stuck Windows update, information technology so often works. There's no magic trick to this – information technology merely clears out your computer's temporary retention (including any stalled files or processes), and lets Windows start again from scratch with everything on the organisation.

If your updates are stuck in the background while you still have access to Windows, yous tin can restart as normal; if they're stuck before or later the Os loads, you're going to accept to hold downwards the power button and do a hard reset. This can cause issues itself, so make sure your updates definitely aren't progressing at all.

3. Bank check the Windows Update utility

In Windows 10 you can notice the Windows Update page by launching the Settings app from the Start menu and clicking Update & Security – if there'south something incorrect and Windows knows what information technology is then yous should find details here. Sometimes y'all'll just get a message telling you to try the update again at a unlike time.

If you lot click 'Advanced options' and then 'View your update history', you tin can see recently installed updates that were successful, and uninstall some or all of them – over again, this can be a handy troubleshooting option. Windows 10 has actually streamlined the update process, and so you should be seeing fewer errors.

4. Run Microsoft's troubleshooter program

Microsoft feels your hurting: it knows the update process can cause issues every now and once more, which is why it's developed a troubleshooter plan specifically to assistance yous fix a stuck Windows update – search the old Control Panel for "troubleshooting", then select 'Set problems with Windows Update' from the list on-screen.

The link should exist available in Windows vii and 8 too, just if not you can get at it on the web as well. That said, if you haven't yet upgraded to Microsoft'due south latest and greatest operating system then it's probably nevertheless worth your while, equally information technology's more than likely to solve your update issues at the aforementioned time.

five. Launch Windows in Condom Mode

Safe Mode is like a restart with extras – only the very basic apps and code that Windows needs to run are loaded into memory, so there's even less hazard of a rogue, damaged file interfering with the update. In Windows 10, hold down the Shift key so choose Ability and Restart from the Windows sign-in screen.

On the adjacent screen you see pick Troubleshoot, Advanced Options, Startup Settings and Restart, and y'all should so see the Safe Mode option appear: try running through the update process once again if y'all can. A quick search online will requite you Prophylactic Mode instructions for older versions of Windows.

six. Become back in time with Arrangement Restore

Arrangement Restore has been helpful for solving Windows problems for many a yr now, merely information technology happens to exist quite well hidden in Windows x. Go to Control Panel, System, Organization Protection and and then click System Restore. Go through the wizard, then choose 'Evidence more restore points' to see all your bachelor options.

Selection a time and date, then consummate the wizard to go back to how Windows was configured at that signal (and hopefully solve your update bug at the same time). The process doesn't touch your personal files or programs, but it may not be available to you depending on how Windows was originally set.

7. Delete the Windows Update file cache yourself, part ane

If Windows' own troubleshooter doesn't work (see step iv) then you tin can effort and deport out the same process yourself manually: stopping the Windows Update service, deleting the temporary files it's created, then starting Windows Update again. It's a picayune more involved, but it's not difficult to do.

First, boot upwards into Safety Mode (see step v), then admission to the command prompt, the nearly bones of Windows interfaces: right-click on the Outset menu, choose Command Prompt (Admin), and a text box should announced. Type "net stop wuauserv" and striking Enter, and then follow that with "net terminate bits" and hit Enter again.

eight. Delete the Windows Update file cache yourself, part ii

Back in Windows proper, navigate to the C:\ Windows\ SoftwareDistribution folder, and delete everything you lot observe therein. You're not going to pause anything past doing this – these are but temporary files Windows creates then information technology knows where it's upwards to, and Windows Update will create them over again from scratch.

With that washed, become dorsum to your command prompt window and type "net outset wuauserv" (Enter) so "cyberspace start $.25" (Enter) to get Windows Update and its related background services upwardly and running once more; hopefully this trick should be enough to kick-get-go the update that was previously stuck.

9. Launch a thorough virus scan

One of the more obscure reasons why a Windows update might not exist installing is because a virus or some kind of spyware is blocking it: malicious apps like these tin can frequently be squashed by Windows security updates, which is why they endeavour and stop the latest patches from beingness installed on your machine.

Attempt running a full and thorough virus scan using whatsoever security software you have installed (you do accept some installed, right?). If you think your antivirus software has also been compromised you tin can download some on-demand scanners, similar this i from Microsoft or this 1 from Dr. Web.

x. Run a full Windows reset

Restoring primal Windows files and OS options is a lot easier than it used to be, and 'resetting' Windows 10 basically ways putting all the system files back to their manufactory state without touching your personal files along the way (although you can choose to wipe your bulldoze completely if yous want).

You can find the selection via the Recovery tab on the Update & Security page in the Settings app – note that third-political party apps are removed besides, and then these will need installing again. Windows viii offers both 'refresh' and 'reset' options, while on Windows 7 the reset option volition typically accept been provided by the PC'southward manufacturer.

Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than than two decades. On TechRadar you'll detect him covering news, features and reviews, specially for phones, tablets and wearables.