I was preparing for a crucial presentation when my laptop froze on the dreaded Getting Windows ready screen for hours. Panic set in, and I felt completely stuck. Sound familiar? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll guide you through straightforward and effective solutions to fix Getting Windows ready stuck in Windows 10 and 11. Let’s get your computer back up and running smoothly.
Method 1: Boot into Safe Mode
Booting into Safe Mode is like giving your computer a chance to catch its breath. It starts Windows with only the essential drivers and services, which can help bypass whatever’s causing the hang-up. Many users have found that this simple trick can help them fix Getting Windows ready stuck in Windows 10 and 11 .
1. Hold down the Power button for about 10 seconds to force a shutdown.
2. Press the Power button again to turn it back on.
3. As soon as Windows starts to boot, hold down the Shift key and keep pressing the F8 key.
4. You should see the Advanced Boot Options menu. Select Safe Mode.
5. Once in Safe Mode, restart your computer normally.
Method 2: Perform a System Restore
Performing a System Restore can revert your PC to a time when it was functioning correctly. This can help undo any recent changes that might have caused the problem. According to this Reddit thread, many users have successfully solved the issue with System Restore.
1. Boot into Safe Mode again using the steps above.
2. Go to Start, type Recovery, and select Recovery options.
3. Click on Open System Restore and follow the prompts.
4. Choose a restore point before the issue has started.
5. Restart your computer and see if it resolves the problem.
Also read: How to fix Windows 11 Green Screen of Death.
Method 3: Use the DISM tool
The DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) can repair Windows images and fix issues that SFC might miss. It’s a powerful tool that addresses more complex problems within the operating system.
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator (as shown above).
2. Type the following and press Enter.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Note: This process can take some time, so be patient.
3. Once done, restart your computer.
Method 4: Run System File Checker (SFC)
Running the System File Checker (SFC) can help you detect and repair corrupted system files that might be causing the hang-up. This method has proven effective for numerous users, as discussed in this Reddit post.
1. Boot your device into Safe Mode.
2. Open Command Prompt as an administrator. You can do this by typing cmd in the Start menu, right-clicking Command Prompt, and selecting Run as administrator.
3. Type the below-mentioned word and press Enter.
sfc /scannow
4. Let the scan run its course. It might take a while.
5. Restart your device and check if the issue is resolved.
Also read: How to turn off automatic updates on Windows 11.
Method 5: Check for disk errors
Checking for disk errors with the chkdsk command can identify and fix issues related to your hard drive. Disk errors can often be the culprit behind the Getting Windows ready issue.
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Write the following and press Enter.
chkdsk /f /r
3. You might be asked to schedule this task for the next restart. Type Y and press Enter.
4. Restart your computer and let chkdsk run.
Method 6: Reset Windows Update components
Resetting Windows Update components can resolve issues where Windows Update gets stuck. This method has helped many users, as seen in this Reddit discussion.
1. Launch the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
3. Finally, restart your device.
Also read: How to disable Copilot in Windows 11.
Method 7: Clean Boot your Windows
Performing a Clean Boot can help you determine if background services or startup programs are causing the issue. By only loading essential services, you can pinpoint the problem and fix Getting Windows ready stuck in Windows 10 and 11 error.
1. Type msconfig in the Start menu and press Enter.
2. Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, and then click Disable all.
3. Now click the Startup tab and choose Open Task Manager.
4. Disable all startup items.
5. Restart your computer.
Method 8: Update or reinstall drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers can lead to many problems, including getting stuck on the Getting Windows ready screen. Updating or reinstalling drivers can help resolve these issues.
1. Boot into Safe Mode.
2. Go to Device Manager by typing it in the Start menu.
3. Look for any devices with a yellow triangle, right-click them, and select Update driver.
4. If updating doesn’t work, try uninstalling and then restarting your computer.
Also read: How to remove recycle bin from desktop.
Method 9: Perform a startup repair
Startup Repair is a built-in feature that can resolve many boot issues. It can also help fix Getting Windows ready stuck in Windows 10 and 11 issue. It’s a quick way to address common startup problems.
1. Boot into the Advanced Boot Options menu (as described in Method 1).
2. Select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, and finally Startup Repair.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Method 10: Reset the PC or reinstall Windows
If all else fails, resetting your PC or reinstalling Windows might be necessary. This method will give you a fresh start and eliminate any deep-rooted issues.
1. Boot into the Advanced Boot Options menu.
2. Select Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC.
3. Choose whether to keep your files or remove everything.
4. Follow the prompts to complete the reset.
Also read: How to fix overheating on a Windows laptop.
There you have it!
It’s always a pain when your computer decides to take its sweet time, but with these methods, you should be able to fix Getting Windows ready stuck in Windows 10 and 11 in no time. If you’ve tried everything and you’re still stuck, it might be worth reaching out to a professional for help. Good luck, and here’s to a smoother Windows experience!
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Chhavi Tomar is a dynamic person who works as an Editor for The Writing Paradigm. She studied B.Sc. Physics and is currently doing a B.Ed. She has more than three years of experience in editing, gained through freelance projects. Chhavi is skilled in technology editing and is actively improving her abilities in this field. Her dedication to accuracy and natural talent for technology make her valuable in the changing world of digital content.
