If you are an avid user of PC or Laptop, you may have encountered stuck on the screen “Getting Windows Ready” every time you restart. This might be annoying to you. There might be several reasons behind the issue indicating a system issue related to updates, file corruption, or other underlying issue. 

Whatever may be the cause, you wish to get rid of it to continue your work. Fret not. We are here with this guide that will walk you through the ways to fix the issue of getting windows ready stuck. Let’s get into it.

Cause of the Issue Getting Windows Ready Stuck

There might be several common causes behind the issue “getting windows ready” stuck on the screen. We have pointed out some common causes

  • Pending installs & Updates:   If any pending updates need to be installed on your system, you may get stuck at the “Getting Windows Ready” screen.
  • Corrupted Windows Update: Corrupted or faulty updates installed on your device can restrict the system from moving to the next screen.
  • Software Conflicts: Sometimes, Software conflict arises between the system’s installed software or drivers which can freeze the system at this stage.
  • Insufficient System Resources: Limited storage space or memory may prevent the update process from completing.
  • Faulty Drivers or Software Conflicts: Incompatible or outdated drivers and software can interfere with the update.
  • Hardware Issues: Problems with hardware components like the hard drive or RAM may disrupt the update process.
  • Internet Connectivity Issues: If the update relies on downloading files and the connection is unstable, the process will get stuck.
  • Update Bugs or Glitches: Errors or bugs in the Windows update process itself can lead to the system freezing on the “Getting Windows Ready” screen

How to Fix the issue Stuck on the “Getting Windows Ready Screen”

  • Simply Wait It Out

One of the most common fixes is just “Wait for a long” as Windows just needs more time to complete updates or adjustments. You need to give it up to an hour before taking further action. Some updates or tasks may take longer time to get updated which depends on your system’s performance.

  •  Shut Down Your PC and power reset it

If waiting doesn’t resolve the issue, try restarting your computer and power reset your PC which can remove all the information in the memory without harming the disk data. This might fix certain corruption issues on your PC. To do so

  • Press and hold the power button until your computer turns off completely.
  • Wait for a few seconds and then turn your computer back on.
  • If the issue persists, move on to the next solution.
  • Uninstall Windows Update into Safe Mode

Try to uninstall Windows updates in safe Mode which enables  Windows to boot with only essential drivers and services, which can help bypass issues like being stuck on getting Windows ready. 

  • Force shut down your PC 2-3 times during startup. 
  • After the third interruption, your computer should boot into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
  • Now go to Troubleshoot> Advanced options > Startup Settings.
  • Choose Restart.
  • When your computer restarts, select Safe Mode
  • Once in Safe Mode, 
  • Navigate to Control Panel in the search box on the taskbar.
  • Click Programs and Features.
  • Click Recently Installed Update.
  • Select recent updates and uninstall them.
  • Finally, Restart your computer.
  • Run System Restore

If the issue on your PC started after a recent update performing a System Restore might help you fix the issue.

  • Boot your system into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) 
  • Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
  • Pick a restore point before the issue begins and follow the prompts to restore your system.

Perform a Hard Restart

  • Hold the Power Button for 5-10 seconds until the system shuts down.
  • Turn the computer back on to see if the issue persists.

Disconnect External Devices

  • Unplug all unnecessary peripherals (e.g., USB drives, printers, external hard drives).
  • Restart the system to check if it resolves the problem.

Use Startup Repair

  1. Access the Recovery menu:
    • Turn off the PC and turn it back on while holding the Shift key.
  2. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.
  3. Follow on-screen instructions.

Free Up Disk Space

  • If stuck due to low storage:
    • Boot into Safe Mode.
    • Delete unnecessary files or use Disk Cleanup to free space.

How to Prevent Windows stuck at Getting Ready

  • Update Regularly: To prevent big, troublesome updates, install updates often.
  • Maintain Free Storage: Make sure your system disk has at least 10–15 GB of free space.
  • Prevent Interruptions: Make sure your power supply is steady and avoid shutting down or restarting when updating.
  • Update Drivers: Make sure that all necessary software and device drivers are current.
  • Perform System Maintenance: To repair corrupted files, use programs like SFC and chkdsk.
  • Use Stable Internet: When updating, make sure your connection is robust and steady.
  • Periodically Restart: To finish any pending updates, restart your computer on a regular basis.
  • Temporarily Turn Off Antivirus Software: If necessary, turn off third-party antivirus software while updating.
  • Use Troubleshooters: To resolve problems, utilize Windows’ integrated Update Troubleshooter.
  • Track the health of the hardware: Examine and swap out any malfunctioning drives or RAM.

Final Word

Thus when you are prompted with such an issue stuck on getting Windows ready issue, don’t turn off your PC initially rather wait for a while as some tasks are performed in the background. After some time if the problem persists,  you can try all these working methods to overcome the issue.

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