Solved Stuck at preparing to configure Windows Do not turn off your computer

[jadinolf]

Yesterday, I was presented with 21 updates. After installing the updates, it gave me the message shown in the subject. Hours later, the message is still there so I went into safe mode and restored to an earlier date but the updates want to install again so I tried again. Same thing. I tried several times last night and again this morning.

Last night I set up update to ask me and this morning Windows scolded me for doing it.

Anyway, I am once again stuck at Preparing to configure Windows, etc.

I have a feeling that if I let it go for a week nothing will happen.

Please, someone, get me out of this mess.

My "low end" Windows 7 computers updated with no problems.

Thanks

 

[sparks72]

http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/214688-preparing-configure-windows-stuck.html

 

[The Howling Wolves]

Jadinolf,
What has worked for me in the past when getting a slew of downloads is to download all the big files one at a time then you can download all the smaller files all at once. It may take a little more time but you will avoid the problem you are having.
If it is a file you don't need then right click and select hide.
THW

 

[jadinolf]

http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/214688-preparing-configure-windows-stuck.html

I saw that yesterday but I ignored it because the other computers have the same antivirus program installed.

What the heck, I'll give it a try.

Thanks

 

[jadinolf]

Jadinolf,
What has worked for me in the past when getting a slew of downloads is to download all the big files one at a time then you can download all the smaller files all at once. It may take a little more time but you will avoid the problem you are having.
If it is a file you don't need then right click and select hide.
THW

Thanks. I thought that I had set up updates to work like that.

I'll try again.

 

[jadinolf]

I tried to select what downloads to install but I am obviously too dumb to do it.

Antivirus is off and here we go again on installing updates. I predict failure.

 

[jadinolf]

http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/214688-preparing-configure-windows-stuck.html

Nope, no luck.

Thanks for helping.

Now I will restore to 10/07 and see if I can figure that out.

 

[The Howling Wolves]

http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/214688-preparing-configure-windows-stuck.html

Nope, no luck.

Thanks for helping.

Now I will restore to 10/07 and see if I can figure that out.

Restoring it back to when it was running good was my next suggestion.
After restore then try my approach again.
Keep us posted.
THW

 

[jadinolf]

http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/214688-preparing-configure-windows-stuck.html

Nope, no luck.

Thanks for helping.

Now I will restore to 10/07 and see if I can figure that out.

Restoring it back to when it was running good was my next suggestion.
After restore then try my approach again.
Keep us posted.
THW

Yep, I've been going back to 10/7 since yesterday.

Just installed 5 small updates and they performed normally. This will take a while but I have nothing but time.

I'll get back to you.

 

[indianacarnie]

I had the same problem with this latest update. Took me three tries to get them. It was the Malicious software removal tool messing me up. When I unchecked it all the rest of the updates installed just fine.... then IT installed just fine by itself.

As for the "preparing/configuring"...... after about 10 minutes and 5 minutes ..... I just restarted my machine. I know, I know........

 

[jadinolf]

I had the same problem with this latest update. Took me three tries to get them. It was the Malicious software removal tool messing me up. When I unchecked it all thr rest of the updates installed just fine.... then IT installed just fine by itself.

As for the "preparing/configuring"...... after about 10 minutes and 5 minutes ..... I just restarted my machine. I know, I know........

Malicious Software Removal went fine but I made a serious mistake. I installed 3 or four updates in the kilobyte range it reverted back to "preparing to configure" and I don't know which one caused the problem.

So... I thought I would uninstall the last ones and Windows wouldn't all me to saying that all of the updates were not installed.

I will have to start over taking one update at a time and taking notes.


Gotta go now but I'll be back.

 

[gregrocker]

The solution when Updates malfunction is to System Restore using System Recovery Options if necessary to before the Updates, then install them in small groups to isolate any Update that is causing the problem.

If a group fails or stalls, System Restore to before that group and install those Updates singly to isolate the problem Update. Save it until last.

If it fails after repeated attempts to install the problem Update, open an email Support case on the Windows Update website and post a Support thread in our Updates forum here. In most cases we will resolve the issue first.

 

[MeOnMine]

This happened to me yesterday with these updates.
I ignored the warning and re set my machine.
The re set booted fine and my PC has been completely normal since.

 

[jadinolf]

The solution in these cases is to System Restore to before the Updates, then install them in small groups to isolate any Update that is causing the problem.

If a group fails or stalls, System Restore to before that group and install those Updates singly to isolate the problem Update. Save it until last.

If it fails after repeated attempts to install the problem Update, open an email Support case on the Windows Update website and post a Support thread in our Updates forum here. In most cases we will resolve the issue first.

gregrocker, I have two computers afflicted with the same disease. This, my main one, is very close to being OK. I followed the advice you show here but had to restore to an earlier date so many times, I am dinghy. Been doing it since early this morning. This one suffered from other problems, probably from all the restoring that was necessary. Also, it messed up my firewall (Outpost). I'll have to go to its forum to see if they can help. Also, for a while it did not have Internet access. It seemed to fix itself. That sure can slow down updating.

I think I am very close to putting a check mark on this thread. Gotta check the other computer first. It still has a hand full of updates to go.

Was I tempted to wipe the drive and start over? YES. Was I tempted to stop all updates? YOU'D BETTER BELIEVE IT!

I'll be back with a final report soon (I hope).

Oh, I eventually did one update at a time. Takes forever.

 

[jadinolf]

This happened to me yesterday with these updates.
I ignored the warning and re set my machine.
The re set booted fine and my PC has been completely normal since.

Today I got a great deal of those boots to a light blue screen. Not good for a guy who has very little patience to begin with.

 

[gregrocker]

Often it will sort itself out by rebooting a few times and trying to run the Updates again, in smaller groups ideally.

System Restore is mainly needed if it's hung up your PC or caused problems needing to be reversed.

Just hanging or failure to install Updates which can be resolved by rebooting really only requires installing them in smaller groups or singly - unless you've had intractable problems requiring System Restore.

For example I'm helping my friend Marcos in Florida with a Clean Reinstall right now via TeamViewer and 135 updates failed at first attempt even after all were downloaded. But Try Again is now installing them apace. If it failed again, I would break them down into smaller groups after a purging reboot.

 

[HammerHead]

Many Updates

I install them a few at a time. Especially the ones for net frame xx.x. If I remember correctly the one for MRT was not checked when they were first listed. When one shows up not checked I always save it for last.

 

[jadinolf]

Often it will sort itself out by rebooting a few times and trying to run the Updates again, in smaller groups ideally.

System Restore is mainly needed if it's hung up your PC or caused problems needing to be reversed.

Just hanging or failure to install Updates which can be resolved by rebooting really only requires installing them in smaller groups or singly - unless you've had intractable problems requiring System Restore.

For example I'm helping my friend Marcos in Florida with a Clean Reinstall right now via TeamViewer and 135 updates failed at first attempt even after all were downloaded. But Try Again is now installing them apace. If it failed again, I would break them down into smaller groups after a purging reboot.

I'm sorry but no check mark here.

I have been at the second computer trying to install only 5 more updates.

On the very last update, I can report the following:
I have received 29 hangs- meaning it just sat there and could not get into Windows. Had 8 light blue screens. I don't know what these mean. No w all I have is those light blue screens. I have given up.

Get the message "System Restore did not complete successfully". And again and again. I just reinstalled Windows 7 on September 13. Looks like I wasted my time. Should have just thrown the computer away.

 

[SIW2]

If you are willing to have another go - leave this one out :

KB2862330

 

[gregrocker]

Confirm you have tried System Restore from System Recovery Options via F8 Advanced Boot Options, Win7 installer, or System Repair Disk .

If System Restore isn't working for you, then try resetting Windows Update components
starting with the Automatic troubleshooter it offers,

then if necessary try System Update Readiness Tool

I'll ask for more help for you from our Updates specialists.