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Windows Update Stuck at 95%

Anonymous
2024-12-15T17:46:42+00:00

I am currently on Windows 10 1903. My Windows update has been stuck on 95% for hours now. I have restarted my computer several times, tried following guides to reset my Windows Update and more but nothing seems to help. I was having a problem on Windows 11 where my updates and Microsoft Store would never work but I thought fully wiping my SSD and a clean install of Windows would help, which it didn't. Is there any fix?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-12-16T08:23:51+00:00

    Hello lng810,

    Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

    It sounds like you're dealing with a frustrating update issue that has persisted even after a clean install. Here are a few steps that might help resolve your Windows Update problem, especially since you've already tried some basic troubleshooting methods:

    1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

    • Open the Settings app.
    • Go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
    • Select Windows Update and then click Run the troubleshooter.
    • Follow the prompts and let the troubleshooter attempt to fix any issues.

    2. Manually Reset Windows Update Components

    You may have tried this already, but ensure you follow the steps to reset Windows Update components manually:

    1. Stop Windows Update Services:
      • Open Command Prompt as Administrator (Right-click Start > Command Prompt (Admin)).
      • Run the following commands one by one:

    net stop wuauserv

    net stop bits

    net stop cryptsvc

    net stop msiserver

    1. Delete the SoftwareDistribution Folder:
      • Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download and delete all contents (this is where updates are temporarily stored).
    2. Restart Services:
      • After clearing the SoftwareDistribution folder, restart the services you stopped earlier:

    net start wuauserv

    net start bits

    net start cryptsvc

    net start msiserver

    1. Check for Updates:
      • After resetting the update components, try running Windows Update again.

    3. Use the Windows Update Assistant (Windows 10)

    Since you're on Windows 10 1903, you can try using the Windows Update Assistant to upgrade to the latest version of Windows 10:

    • Download it from Download Windows 10.
    • Run the tool, and it will check for updates and help you upgrade your Windows version.

    4. Perform System File Checker and DISM: These tools can repair corrupted system files.

    Follow the steps to run System File Checker:

    1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
    2. Run the following commands one by one:
      DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth 
      DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth 
      DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    3. Run sfc /scannow and wait for the process to complete. Check if there are any detected errors.

    5. Check for Disk Errors

    A failing hard drive or SSD could also cause issues with updates. Try to use chkdsk command to scan the disk.

    1. Click Win key + X to open "Command Prompt (Admin)"
    2. Enter chkdsk <drive letter>: /f in the command prompt window
    3. For example, to check and repair the D partition, enter the following command: chkdsk D: /f
    4. Press Y then Enter to run the chkdsk disk check tool to scan the D partition. After that, you can check other partitions similarly.

    Note: Please check other drives other than your system drive (usually C) first. You need to restart to check C drive.

    Disclaimer: Running chkdsk can check the file system and file system metadata of a volume for logical and physical errors. To avoid any trouble for you, do not cancel or interrupt chkdsk, and back up important data.  

    For more information, please refer to this chkdsk | Microsoft Learn. 

    6. Install Updates Manually

    If updates are stuck, you might need to download and install them manually:

    • Go to the Microsoft Update Catalog.
    • Search for the specific update you're trying to install (you can find the KB number from Windows Update or from the Settings > Update & Security).
    • Download the update and install it manually.

    7. Consider Updating to Windows 11 via installation media

    Since you've had problems with updates and the Microsoft Store on Windows 11 before, this could be an option:

    1. Visit the official Microsoft website, Download Windows 11
    2. Use the installation tool to create a USB installation disk or ISO file.
    3. Insert the USB installation disk or mount the ISO file, and then run setup.exe.
    4. Select the "Upgrade this PC" option and click "Next".
    5. Make sure to select the "Keep personal files and apps" option and click "Install".
    6. The process may take some time, please wait patiently for it to complete.

    Disclaimer: Let's try to perform an in-place upgrade, which will refresh your Windows files and operating system without deleting files or applications. But if there is important data on the computer, we still recommend backing it up in advance.

    Summary

    Given that the issue persists even after a clean install, focusing on system repairs (SFC, DISM) and resetting Windows Update components manually should be your next steps. If all else fails, you can try an in-place upgrade or clean install again, but it's important to rule out any hardware issues (like SSD failure or driver problems) that could be interfering with the update process.

    Let me know if you need more specific guidance on any of these steps!

    Best Regards,

    William.Y | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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