Getting Stuck At Getting Windows Ready

How to Fix Getting Stuck at ‘Getting Windows Ready’ in Windows 10/11One of the most common issues users face when starting or shutting down their Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer is getting stuck at the ‘Getting Windows Ready’ screen. This can be frustrating, especially when you’re in a rush or working on something important. In this topic, we’ll explore why this issue occurs, how to fix it, and ways to prevent it from happening again.

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What Does ‘Getting Windows Ready’ Mean?

‘Getting Windows Ready’ is a message that appears when Windows is preparing the system for use. This typically happens during startup, shutdown, or after installing updates. Windows may display this message while it’s configuring the system, installing updates, or performing other tasks necessary for your computer to run smoothly.

While this message is normal, it should not take an extended period of time. If your computer gets stuck on this screen for an unusually long time, there might be an underlying problem that needs attention.

Common Causes for Getting Stuck at ‘Getting Windows Ready’

Before jumping into solutions, it’s important to understand some common reasons why this issue may occur

Pending Windows Updates Sometimes, the ‘Getting Windows Ready’ message can appear when Windows is trying to install updates. If updates are stuck or interrupted, it can lead to prolonged delays.
Corrupted System Files System files that are damaged or corrupted can also prevent Windows from progressing past this screen.
Driver Conflicts Incompatible or outdated drivers may cause issues when Windows attempts to load certain services.
Hardware Issues In rare cases, faulty hardware, such as a failing hard drive or memory issues, can cause Windows to hang at this screen.
Third-Party Software Software conflicts, particularly those from antivirus programs or other third-party applications, can disrupt the startup process.

How to Fix ‘Getting Windows Ready’ Getting Stuck

If your computer is stuck at the ‘Getting Windows Ready’ screen, there are several methods you can try to resolve the issue. Below are some practical troubleshooting steps.

1. Wait It Out

Sometimes, Windows needs additional time to complete updates or configurations. If you’ve just installed updates, try waiting for up to an hour or so. During this time, avoid turning off your computer, as interrupting the process could cause further complications.

2. Force Restart Your Computer

If waiting doesn’t work, a force restart may help. To force a restart

Press and hold the power button on your computer until it turns off.
Wait for about 30 seconds to ensure that all processes stop.
Press the power button again to turn the computer back on.

After rebooting, Windows should either proceed to the desktop or attempt to repair itself automatically if it detects any issues during startup.

3. Boot Into Safe Mode

Booting into Safe Mode can help you troubleshoot and fix problems caused by faulty drivers, software, or system configurations. To boot into Safe Mode

Turn off your computer completely.
Press the power button to turn it on and immediately press the F8 or Shift + F8 key repeatedly (for older Windows versions) or wait for the Recovery screen in Windows 10/11.
Once you see the Recovery screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings.
Restart your PC, and when the system restarts, select Safe Mode from the list of startup options.

Once in Safe Mode, you can try to uninstall any recently added programs or drivers that might be causing the issue. You can also run built-in Windows utilities like System File Checker (sfc/scannow) or Check Disk (chkdsk) to repair system files.

4. Run System File Checker (SFC)

Corrupted or missing system files can prevent Windows from starting properly. To repair these files, you can use the System File Checker tool.

Open Command Prompt as an administrator in Safe Mode.
Type the following command and press Enter
```
sfc /scannow
```
Wait for the tool to complete its scan and repair process.

This will scan and repair any corrupted system files, which could fix the issue.

5. Perform a System Restore

If the problem started after a recent update or installation, performing a System Restore may help revert your system back to a stable state.

Boot your computer into Recovery Mode by pressing the F8 key or using Shift + Restart on the login screen.
Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore.
Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a restore point before the issue began.

This method restores your system settings, files, and configurations to an earlier date, potentially resolving the issue.

6. Check for Hard Drive Issues

If your computer still gets stuck at ‘Getting Windows Ready’ after trying the above steps, there may be an issue with your hard drive. You can check for hard drive errors using the built-in Check Disk tool

Open Command Prompt as an administrator (you can do this in Safe Mode).
Type the following command and press Enter
```
chkdsk C /f /r
```
Follow the on-screen instructions to schedule a disk check upon the next restart.

This tool will scan your hard drive for bad sectors and other errors, which could be causing the issue.

Preventing the Issue in the Future

To avoid getting stuck at the ‘Getting Windows Ready’ screen in the future, consider the following tips

Keep Windows Updated Ensure that your system is always up to date with the latest security patches and updates. You can set your system to automatically download and install updates.
Regularly Check for Hardware Issues Run diagnostic tools to check the health of your hard drive and RAM. You can use built-in tools like Windows Memory Diagnostic or third-party software for more in-depth testing.
Avoid Interrupting Updates Always let Windows complete its updates before shutting down or restarting the computer. Interrupting the update process can cause issues.
Use Reliable Antivirus Software Sometimes, antivirus programs can interfere with Windows updates. Make sure to use reputable and well-supported antivirus software that won’t conflict with Windows processes.

Getting stuck at the ‘Getting Windows Ready’ screen can be frustrating, but with the right troubleshooting steps, it is often possible to resolve the issue. Whether the problem is related to a stuck update, corrupted system files, or hardware issues, you have several options to get your system back to normal. If all else fails, seeking help from a professional technician may be necessary.

By following the advice in this topic, you should be able to fix the issue and prevent it from occurring in the future, ensuring smoother startup and shutdown processes for your Windows 10 or 11 PC.