


my win pc is stuck in a 'preparing to configure windows' loop
Aug 01, 2025 am 05:06 AMWait 30–45 minutes to confirm it’s stuck; 2. Force shutdown 2–3 times to trigger Automatic Repair; 3. Use Startup Repair, then try Safe Mode to uninstall recent updates or System Restore; 4. If needed, use Windows installation media to access repair tools; 5. Run SFC and DISM via Command Prompt to fix system corruption; 6. As a last resort, reset Windows while keeping files if possible — most cases can be resolved without data loss by carefully using recovery tools, and the loop is typically caused by interrupted updates, not hardware failure.
If your Windows PC is stuck in a "Preparing to configure Windows" loop, it usually means the system is trying to apply updates or changes during startup but keeps failing and restarting the process. This can happen after an update, a failed installation, or unexpected shutdown during a system change.

Here’s what you can do to fix it:
1. Wait a Bit Longer (But Not Too Long)
Sometimes, Windows can take 15–30 minutes on this screen during major updates. If it's been less than 30–45 minutes, it might still be working.

?? However, if it's been stuck for over an hour, or you've seen the same message through multiple reboots, it's safe to assume it's in a loop.
2. Force Shutdown and Trigger Automatic Repair
This is the first real step to break the loop.

- Hold the power button for 10 seconds to force shut down.
- Repeat this 2–3 times: power on, wait until you see the Windows logo or "Preparing to configure Windows," then force shut down again.
- On the third boot, Windows should detect the repeated failures and launch Automatic Repair (or Startup Repair).
Once in the recovery environment:
- Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair
- Let it run and see if it fixes the issue.
3. Use Advanced Startup Options (Safe Mode or System Restore)
If Startup Repair doesn’t help, try these:
Option A: Boot into Safe Mode with Networking
- From the recovery screen:
Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart - After restart, press F4 or 5 to enable Safe Mode (with Networking if you need internet).
Once in Safe Mode:
- Check if the system is stable.
- Try uninstalling recent updates:
- Press
Win R
, typeappwiz.cpl
, hit Enter. - Look for "Update for Windows" entries installed recently.
- Uninstall the latest ones (especially KB500XXXX or similar).
- Press
- Restart normally.
Option B: Use System Restore
If you had restore points:
- From Advanced Options, choose System Restore.
- Pick a restore point from before the issue started.
- Follow the wizard to roll back system settings and drivers (won’t affect personal files).
4. Repair Using Windows Installation Media
If nothing works, you may need to repair the system using a bootable USB.
You’ll need:
- A working PC and a USB drive (8GB )
- Download Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft
- Create a bootable USB with it
Then:
- Boot from the USB on the stuck PC (may need to change boot order in BIOS/UEFI)
- Choose Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options
Try these tools:
- Startup Repair
- Command Prompt (for manual fixes — see below)
- System Image Recovery
5. Manual Fix via Command Prompt (SFC & DISM)
From the recovery environment, open Command Prompt and run:
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows
Then:
DISM /Image:C:\ /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
?? Make sure the drive letter is correct — sometimes Windows installs to
D:\
in recovery mode. Usediskpart
>list volume
to confirm.
If DISM fails due to corruption, you may need to mount a healthy Windows image or reinstall.
6. Last Resort: Reset or Reinstall Windows
If all else fails:
- From Advanced Options, choose Reset this PC
- Choose Keep my files (if available) or Remove everything
- This reinstalls Windows but gives you a clean start
? Your files might be preserved in "Keep my files," but always assume risk — if you have important data, consider removing the drive and accessing it from another PC first.
Final Notes
- This loop is usually not caused by hardware failure, but rather interrupted updates.
- Avoid turning off your PC during updates!
- Enable auto-restart prevention via Group Policy or registry if this happens often (mainly for advanced users).
Basically, the key is to break the boot loop by forcing Automatic Repair, then use recovery tools to undo or bypass the failed configuration. Most cases can be fixed without losing data — if you act carefully.
Good luck!
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