If you encounter the message "Processing updates, 100% complete. Do not turn off your computer" while updating Windows, don't panic! You're not alone; many users have faced this frustrating issue.
The good news is that there are several effective ways to safely complete updates without shutting down your computer beforehand. This article will explore six practical methods to address this common Windows update issue and ensure a smooth updating process. So, let's get started!
This error can occur when a Windows update gets stuck at 100%, leaving users unsure whether their system is genuinely updating or experiencing an issue. This message is particularly worrying since it indicates that the update process is in progress, but the system appears unresponsive or frozen.
Leading causes include:
• Damaged system files: Corrupted system files can interfere with the update process and prevent it from completing successfully.
• ⏱️ Pending updates: If pending updates aren't installed correctly, they can clash with new ones and cause the update to get stuck.
• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers can hinder the update process, causing the system to freeze during an update.
• Connectivity issues: For example, an unstable internet connection, or an interruption during the download and installation of updates (especially when a Windows 10 update is stuck at 100%).
Read more: Windows 11 Update Stuck at 100%
After identifying the possible causes of the issue, we will provide you with step-by-step practical solutions to address it. To assist you even better, we will also offer a detailed tutorial video, providing comprehensive support. Here are some points that might be mentioned in the video:
To fix issues caused by a specific update, try these steps:
Step 1. Press the Win + X keys at the same time. In the menu that appears, click “Run.” This will open the “Run” command window.
Step 2. Type appwiz.cpl in the search box of the Run command window, then click OK. This will open the Programs and Features window in Control Panel.
Step Three: Click “View installed updates.”
Click “View installed updates”.
Step 4. In the "Uninstall updates" section, select the problematic update, right-click it, and choose "Uninstall." After the uninstallation process is over, please restart your Windows 11.
To restart the Windows Update service, follow these steps:
Step 1: Type cmd in the search box.
Step 2: Right-click “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”
Step 3: Click “Yes” to confirm User Account Control.
Step 4. At the command prompt, type each of the following lines one at a time, pressing Enter after each:
Stop the Windows Update Service:
net stop wuauserv
Re-register the wups2.dll file:
regsvr32 %windir%\system32\wups2.dll
Start the Windows Update Service:
net start wuauserv
Step 5. After running these commands, check if the Windows Update issue is resolved. If not, restart any other services that depend on Windows Update.
If any of these solutions helped you fix the “100% Complete, Do Not Turn Off Your Computer” issue, please share it on social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc!
To rename the SoftwareDistribution folder, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the Command Prompt by searching for “CMD” in the Windows search box.
Step 2: Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
Step 3. In the Command Prompt (Admin) window, type net stop wuauserv and press "Enter" to stop the Windows Update service.
Step 4: Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution. Delete everything in the SoftwareDistribution folder.
Step 5: Go back to the Command Prompt and type “net start wuauserv” to restart the Windows Update service. Restart your computer and try again.
You can also run the Windows Update Troubleshooter to fix this error. Here's how:
Step 1: In the Windows search bar, type “troubleshoot” and click on “Troubleshoot.” In the left-hand window, click on “View all.”
Step 2: Choose Windows Update from the list.
Select **Window Update**.
Step 3: Run the Windows Update troubleshooter, following the on-screen instructions, to check for any issues.
Step 4: After you complete the troubleshooting process, restart your computer to apply the changes.
To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
The first is to open System Properties and choose System Restore.
Click “System Restore.”
Step 2: Next, choose the restore point that corresponds to the problematic app, driver, or update from the available options.
Step 3: Finally, click "Next" and "Finish" to start the System Restore process, which will restore your computer to an earlier point in time, potentially fixing the problem.
To perform a clean boot in Windows and start your system with the minimum number of drivers and startup programs to avoid software conflicts while updating Windows, follow these steps:
Step 1: Press the Windows key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter to open System Configuration.
Step Two: In the System Configuration utility, go to the Services tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services,” and then click “Disable All.”
Step 3: Click “Apply” to save your changes.
Step 4. In System Configuration, go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager. In Task Manager, go to the Startup tab and disable each enabled application one by one.
Step 5: Once you've closed all programs, exit Task Manager, and click “OK” in the System Configuration window. Finally, restart your computer to begin using your PC with a clean boot of Windows, running with the minimum of drivers and startup programs.
When a Windows update gets stuck and results in data loss, recovering your files can be a frustrating experience. We recommend using the Data Recovery Wizard tool, a powerful yet user-friendly data recovery software, to assist you in this situation. With Data Recovery Wizard, you can easily recover lost files and documents regardless of the reason for the data loss. Its intuitive interface, support for bootable media, compatibility with various storage devices, and the ability to preview files before recovery make it a reliable and efficient solution for data recovery.
The Preview feature lets you view the recoverable files before you start the recovery process, saving time and ensuring that only necessary data is restored.
Step 1: Select the exact location from where you want to recover files and then click on the “Scan” button to proceed.
Step 2: After the scan is complete, select the "Deleted Files" and "Other Lost Files" folders on the left. You can then use the "Filter" feature or click the "Search for a file or folder" button to locate your deleted files.
Step 3. Click on the “Recover” button and save the retrieved files to a different location (ideally).
Download the tool Data Recovery Wizard and start the recovery process to safely and effectively get your valuable data back.
In short, Windows error codes can lead to data loss, affecting crucial files and documents. Having a reliable data recovery tool is vital for effectively retrieving lost data. These errors can occur due to issues with Windows updates, accidental deletion, formatting errors, or system crashes, leaving users unable to access their important files.
Data Recovery Wizard is a data recovery software that rescues various types of files, including photos, videos, music, and documents, with a comprehensive solution. It stands out as a user-friendly and efficient data recovery tool.
Here are four additional questions about not turning off your computer when it says "Processing 100% Complete," which you can find answers to there.
Why is my computer stuck at 100% when updating?
Your computer might be stuck on the "100% complete" update due to a failed or incomplete installation. Various issues, such as software conflicts or damaged update files, can cause this.
How do I fix the issue of Windows Update stuck at 100%?
To address the issue of Windows Update getting stuck at 100%, first try restarting your computer. If the problem persists, attempt to boot into Safe Mode to clear the update cache or manually run the Windows Update Assistant to proceed with the update.
How can I stop my computer from never stopping to update?
If the computer appears stuck in an update loop, you can force a restart by holding down the power button for several seconds. This might result in data loss or other issues with the update, but it is a last resort if the update seems to be hung.
How do I fix the issue where Windows 10 gets stuck on "Updating"?
To resolve the issue of Windows 10 updates getting stuck on "Updating," you can try restarting your computer, disconnecting unnecessary peripherals, clearing the Windows Update cache, or using the Media Creation Tool to create installation media and perform a repair upgrade.