Windows 11/10 stuck at Ready to install
1] Wait for Installation to complete
If you are stuck for an hour or so, we still recommend you wait for at least 3-4 hours, maybe 5 hours, to see if there is the progress made. Sometimes, Windows get stuck for hardware issue or network issue or something else, and it takes a lot of time. In case it takes any longer, it’s best to exit the installation. You can always try restarting the PC 2-3 times to see if that works.
2] Remove Ethernet Cable or WiFi connection
Sometimes Windows needs to verify something online, and if it is not able to connect to the internet properly, the upgrade gets stuck. I would highly recommend you to take out the network cable or turn of your primary WiFi router to see if the upgrade moves again. You can do before or even in-between upgrade process.
3] Exit the installation
If you can choose Cancel and exit, good – else you are using an ISO tool, remove it, and press F8 to bring the boot menu option. You need to get into the Advanced Startup screen, and then choose to restore the older version. Once it restores, you can try upgrading again after troubleshooting the tips below.
4] Run DISM to repair system image
It is possible that your Windows Update files have been corrupted. To fix this, you need to use the DISM tool to fix Windows Update.
5] Run Disk Cleanup to clean out maximum junk files
You can either use Windows inbuilt Disk Cleanup tool or any third-party software to delete junk files from your PC and give Windows Update more space. It is possible that Windows is not able to get all the space it wants, and that’s what makes it stuck forever.
6] Clean SoftwareDistribution Folder
Every time Windows downloads an update or prepares for an upgrade or installation, it creates this folder. In case of a network connection issue or sudden restart, it will start download updates from where it left. You need to go to C:/Windows/Software Distribution/Download and delete everything within the SoftwareDistribution folder. You also need to delete files from $Windows.~BT folder. Once done, you need to check for Windows Update again, and it will restart downloading from the start.
7] Disconnect all USB and peripherals
Apart from regular hardware connected to your PC, if you have anything special, make sure to remove them one by one and see if that helps. It’s going to be a time-consuming process as you need to check for them one by one.
8] Change Delivery Optimization
Windows 10 can download updates not only from the Microsoft server but also download it from PCs in your Network and PCs on the internet. Apart from this, you can also download updates over the local network. If it is set to Local Network, change the Delivery Optimization setting to the second option.
9] Disable your antivirus software
Try disabling your AntiVirus or disable the real-time scanning, and then start the Windows upgrade process and see if it works. This has worked for some, so we are recommending it.
10] Try changing your Region to the United States
This also works sometimes. Once you are back to regular mode, change your settings to the US and try the update. This will work in case the update was stuck because of some delay from your local server.
11] Upgrade or Install using ISO
If the automatic upgrade option is not working, you can always download the ISO file from Microsoft Server, then created a Bootable USB to install or upgrade.
12] Make sure the Battery is full
While Windows always check for your battery level, but multiple attempts to upgrade to Windows 10 might have drained your battery, and are not stuck. So make sure that whenever you upgrade, keep the laptop plugged into the mains. This will make sure to compensate for the extra battery that is consumed. Did you ever face this issue? What did you do to resolve Windows 11/10 stuck at Ready to install problem? Do you have any extra tips? Do share them with us in the comments.
