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Windows 10 to windows 11 upgrade is stuck installing (solved)

Here is why Windows 10 to Windows 11 upgrade is stuck installing and What You Need To Do If Windows 11 Is Stuck Updating at 0 or 99% hours

Windows 11 version 23H2 is available for everyone with a number of new features and improvements. This is a free upgrade for Windows 11 22H2 and compatible Windows 10 devices running version 2004 and later. The Windows 11 upgrade process is very similar to its previous version. However, at times you may stuck downloading Windows 11 updates on 0% or 99%.  A number of users report Windows 11 Update Stuck at 0% “. I am upgrading a Dell Precision 7760 from Win 10 Pro to Win 11. It has been on “Status: Installing 91%” for around 2 hours now.” Various factors can cause the Windows 11 update stuck at downloading or installing, Slow internet, lack of disk space, and security software blocking installation are common. Let’s explore the reason why Windows 11 upgrade is stuck installing and What You Need To Do If Windows 11 Is Stuck Updating hours.

Why Does The Windows 11 Update Get Stuck?

Several factors can be responsible for causing this issue Unstable Internet Connection, Insufficient Storage, corrupted Windows update cache or system files are common.

  • Certain hardware components or drivers may not be compatible with Windows 11.
  • Unstable or slow internet connection can lead to installation problems.
  • Not enough free space on System drive (C) for the upgrade to complete.
  • Conflicts with third-party software or security programs.
  • Security software may interfere with the installation process.
  • Resource-intensive background processes running during installation.

Wait and Be Patient

Major updates like Windows 11 take some time to install, especially if you’re working with a slower or older system. During this process, the operating system is making significant changes to your computer’s files and settings.

If you find the installation progress bar stuck, don’t panic. Give it some time, preferably at least an hour, to see if there’s any movement. Avoid forcibly shutting down your computer unless you’re absolutely certain the process has truly frozen.

Disconnect External Devices

External devices like USB drives, printers, and other peripherals can sometimes interfere with the installation process. This can be due to conflicts in driver installations or hardware interactions.

We recommend disconnecting external devices before attempting the Windows 11 upgrade. This will minimize potential sources of interference and conflicts.

  1. Shut down your computer.
  2. Disconnect all external devices such as USB drives, printers, external hard drives, and any other peripherals.
  3. Power on your computer and attempt the Windows 11 upgrade again.

Restarting your computer helps resolve temporary glitches in the installation process.

Check Internet Connection

A stable and reliable internet connection is crucial for downloading and installing updates, including major upgrades like Windows 11. Slow or intermittent internet can lead to incomplete downloads or installation failures. Check and ensure your internet connection is stable.

  • Ensure that your computer is connected to a stable and reliable internet connection.
  • You can perform a quick internet speed test using fast.com or speedtest.net to verify the speed and stability of your connection.

Internet Speed test

  • If you’re using Wi-Fi, consider moving closer to your router or connecting via an Ethernet cable for a more stable connection.
  • Also, restart the Wi-Fi router and your computer to clear temp glitches and fix the internet connection speed.

Disable VPN and Antivirus

Some third-party antivirus and VPN software can have security measures in place that may interfere with the installation process. Temporarily disabling these programs can help ensure a smoother upgrade process.

  1. Locate the icon for your antivirus software in the system tray (usually in the bottom-right corner of your screen).
  2. Right-click on the icon and look for an option to disable or turn off the antivirus protection. Follow the prompts to do so.
  3. If you’re using a VPN, find the VPN software on your computer and temporarily disconnect from the VPN server.

Check Disk Space

The operating system needs sufficient room to store new files and make necessary modifications to your system. If your disk is nearly full, (system drive C:) the installation process can become significantly slower or stuck downloading hours.

  • Go through your Documents, Downloads, and Desktop folders and Delete files you no longer need especially large or redundant ones.
  • Open “Apps and Features” from Settings, Uninstall programs or Games you no longer use.
  • Type “Disk Cleanup” in the Windows search bar and run the tool. Select the drive to clean and choose file types to delete.
  • Identify large files such as videos, music, or documents that you don’t use frequently. Move them to an external hard drive or cloud storage to free up space.

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

The Windows Update Troubleshooter is a built-in tool designed specifically to diagnose and resolve issues related to Windows updates. It scans for common problems that might be preventing updates, including those for Windows 11, from installing correctly.

  1. Type “Troubleshoot” in the Windows search bar and select “Troubleshoot settings”.
  2. Click on additional troubleshooters link
  3. Under “Get up and running”, click on “Windows Update” and then “Run the troubleshooter”.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.

Windows update troubleshooter

Reset Windows Update Components

Sometimes, the Windows Update components can become corrupted or misconfigured, leading to installation issues. Resetting these components can help resolve these problems.

  • Press the Windows key + S type services and press enter key
  • Locate the Windows Update service, right-click on it select Stop,

stop windows update service

  • Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
  • Open the download folder, Select all files and folders using Ctrl + A, and delete them.
  • This will clear the update cache and force Windows update to download fresh files from the server.

Delete windows update files

Again open Windows services, locate and start the Windows update service before checking for updates again.

By resetting the Windows Update components, you’re essentially giving them a fresh start. This can clear out any potential issues and allow the update process to proceed smoothly.

Repair Corrupt System Files Using SFC and DISM

System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Service and Management Tool (DISM) are built-in tools that can be used to scan and repair corrupted or missing system files. These files are crucial for the proper functioning of the operating system. Running SFC and DISM, address potential underlying issues that could be causing problems with the upgrade process.

  • Press Win + X and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin)”.
  • In the elevated command prompt, type sfc /scannow and press Enter:
  • Allow the scan to complete. This may take some time.
  • Once the SFC scan is complete, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.

Run SFC and DISM command

Again, allow the process to complete 100%, Once done Restart your computer and attempt the Windows 11 upgrade again.

Run Windows 11 Upgrade in Safe Mode with Networking

If your Windows 11 upgrade is stuck during the download process, using Safe Mode with Networking to run Windows Update might be a helpful step. This mode starts your computer with only essential drivers and services, which can sometimes resolve conflicts that may be causing the download to stuck.

  • Press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard.
  • Click the Power button in the Start menu and select Restart while still holding the Shift key.
  • After your computer restarts and you see the “Choose an option” screen, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
  • After the computer restarts again, you’ll see a list of options. Press the 5 key on your keyboard, or alternatively, press the F5 key. This will start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking.

Safe Mode Boot

  • Once in Safe Mode with Networking, manually start the Windows Installer Service. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. In the Services window, find “Windows Installer” in the list, right-click it, and select “Start”.
  • Now open Windows Update and try to install Windows 11 on your PC.

Upgrade Windows 10 to 11

This process may help resolve any conflicts that are preventing the download from progressing

Use Installation Assistant to Upgrade to Windows 11

The Installation Assistant is a tool provided by Microsoft that allows you to manually initiate the upgrade to Windows 11. By using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, you’re taking a more direct approach to initiating the upgrade. This can bypass any potential issues that may be preventing the automatic update from progressing smoothly.

Download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant from the official Microsoft website.

Download Windows Installation assistant

Run the Installation Assistant application and accept the license agreement.

Installation Assistant license terms

Follow the on-screen prompts to Downlaod, install and initiate the Windows 11 upgrade process.

windows 11 installation assistant

Remember to follow any additional instructions provided by the Update Assistant during the process.

Also, You can install Windows 11 using a bootable USB if none of the above methods works.

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