"Please do not turn off your computer, it is currently cleaning - How to fix"

Like this Reddit user, if you're also stuck with a frozen screen and can't perform any action, you can force the operating system to carry out some tasks. But first, let's look at some common causes behind this issue:

Methods to Fix the "Cleaning Up, Do Not Turn Off Your Computer" Error

If you're stuck on the “Cleaning up” screen, there's not much you can do except wait, but you can force Windows to perform a few simple fixes to get out of this situation.

Fix 1️⃣: Power on and wait for the cleanup process to finish

The process should usually take about 15 minutes if Windows is running smoothly. If it's taking longer than that, there may be an issue. Also, the Disk Cleanup will take longer depending on how many junk files you have on your system and how clean your system is. If you don't run Disk Cleanup often or your hard drive is almost full, this process might take a while.

But how long should you wait? If the update is stuck at a certain percentage, waiting might help resolve the issue. If the update or cleanup is delayed because of an issue on Apple's servers, it should resume once the problem is fixed.

Fix 2️⃣: Run Startup Repair

If your laptop is stuck in a “Cleaning up. Do not turn off your computer” loop, you can use Startup Repair to remove it. Boot into the Windows Recovery Environment with your installation disc and start the process.

Step 1: Connect the Windows installation CD to the computer.

Step 2: To boot from the installation disc, use the F2 or Del key to enter your laptop's BIOS, change the boot order, and start the system from the CD or USB drive.

Step 3: Choose your language and keyboard options, and then click the Repair your computer link to access the System Recovery Options.

Step 4. In the Recovery Options, navigate to Choose an option > Troubleshoot > Advanced options. Now, click on Startup Repair to look for and fix any errors causing the clean-up issue.

Select "Startup Repair" from the new window.

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Fix 3️⃣: Update System in Safe Mode

You can try running the Windows Update in Safe Mode to check if any external application is causing the issue or if the problem lies within the operating system itself.

Step 1. Boot to the WinRE. Go to Choose an option > Troubleshoot > Advanced options.

Step 2: Select Boot Settings, then click Restart.

Next up, just translate this into American English: ""

Step 3: When your computer restarts, choose “Safe Mode with Networking.”

Step 4: Open Settings and run Windows Update.

?Related Reading: Windows 11/10 Update Not Working

Fix 4️⃣: Perform a System Restore

A System Restore point or backup image allows you to restore your computer if you encounter the "Cleaning up, do not turn off your computer" error. If you have a system image prepared on your laptop, follow the steps to recover Windows from the image.

Step 1: Restart your computer and press the Shift key continuously to enter Advanced Recovery Options.

Step 2: Go to Advanced options under Troubleshoot.

3. Click on "Startup Settings" > "Restart", and then select "Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt" to open the Command Prompt.

Type rstrui.exe, and then run the command.

Step 5: Click Next, and then select the restore point to which you want to restore your computer.

Step 6: Click Next to confirm the restore point, and then click Finish. The system will begin restoring your computer based on the restore point. When it's done, restart your computer.

Once you've rolled the changes back to their previous state, try updating Windows again to see if the issue is still there.

Read More: How to Create a Restore Point Automatically in Windows 10

Fix 5️⃣: Run SFC to repair corrupted files

If any of the Windows system files are corrupted, they won't be able to perform the cleanup. To check and fix these files, Windows provides two commands: SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management).

An SFC scan will check system files and fix corrupted ones. If that doesn't happen, the DISM command will help you with that. Check how to perform these operations.

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.

<Step 2> Type the following SFC command and run it.

sfc /scannow is a command-line option used to run the System File Checker utility. In the Windows operating system, this command is employed to scan and repair any errors or corruption in system files. It verifies the integrity of the system and attempts to restore any modified or damaged system files.

If there are any errors, they'll be displayed at the command prompt. Try installing your Windows updates again. If that still doesn't work, run the following DISM command to check all Microsoft services:

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

The update is now available for download.

Fix 6️⃣: Reset Your Computer

If all else fails, you can try to reset the notebook to its factory settings.

Step 1. Enter the WinRE environment, then navigate to Choose an option > Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.

Step 2: Choose “Keep my files” during the reset to preserve your data.

Additional tip: Always back up your computer to restore normal functioning.

While fixing the “Cleaning up, do not turn off your computer” issue is great, what if you can't and end up losing your data? To avoid this and ensure the safety of your data, it's best to back up your computer.

Todo Backup Free offers an advanced algorithm for backing up your entire computer, whether it's folders, hard disks, or the whole machine – with just one click. Packed with features, it provides scheduled backups, free cloud storage, and data encryption to cater to all your backup needs. Additionally, it lets you easily create clones, images, and bootable media for enhanced security. Download this tool now to safeguard your data against various threats.

In short

If the "Cleaning up, do not turn off your computer" screen message takes longer than expected or gets stuck at 0% or 100%, it might indicate an issue with the Windows 10 operating system or files. In this article, we'll explore the reasons behind this cleanup screen error and its solutions. To safeguard your data from loss on your PC, you can use a Todo Backup tool to back up your data, ensuring its safety against various emergencies.

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Frequently Asked Questions About "Do Not Turn Off Your Computer" During Cleaning Process

Here are some common issues related to the “Cleaning Up, Do Not Turn Off Your Computer” error.

How long does the Windows Update cleanup take?

A small one should take no more than 15 minutes, but a big one could take hours.

Why does my Windows Update cleanup take so long?

If the Windows Update cleanup process takes too long, an error might occur, possibly due to missing or corrupted system files, or interference from certain apps.

How can I make my Windows 10 Disk Cleanup run faster?

To help Disk Cleanup run more quickly, make sure that you run it regularly and keep enough free space on your disk so that the operating system can more easily update and delete files.