Question Windows Updates take a long time to install

[WebWaves]

I have a relatively new Windows 11 laptop and all the original updates downloaded and installed fine but the most recent preview and cumulative update took over an hour to install.

Both times it took ages to progress from 69% on the Windows Update page and then after restart it was on the page ‘preparing update, 0%’ for a while but the updates did install.

My other PC installed both updates over the past month within fifteen minutes or so.

I have run Windows Update troubleshooter a few times and ran a disk check but there seems to be nothing wrong as it’s brand new and smaller updates such as KB updates for Security or device drivers for Intel install quickly too.

 

[Colif]

Search for powershell
open as admin
copy/paste this command into window:
Repair-WindowsImage -Online -RestoreHealth
and press enter
Then type SFC /scannow
and press enter
Restart PC if SFC fixes any files as some fixes require a restart to be implemented
First command repairs the files SFC uses to clean files, and SFC fixes system files
SFC = System File Checker. First command runs DISM - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/what-is-dism?view=windows-11


I can't say the last update was any slower than normal. Some can a while, it depends what they are changing.

wonder if it was on latest version of 11, could have been doing a version update I guess. they take a while but you would notice on the next startup as it would do a color change startup thing... not normal logon.

 

[WebWaves]

Search for powershell
open as admin
copy/paste this command into window:
Repair-WindowsImage -Online -RestoreHealth
and press enter
Then type SFC /scannow
and press enter
Restart PC if SFC fixes any files as some fixes require a restart to be implemented
First command repairs the files SFC uses to clean files, and SFC fixes system files
SFC = System File Checker. First command runs DISM - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/what-is-dism?view=windows-11


I can't say the last update was any slower than normal. Some can a while, it depends what they are changing.

I have tried doing that after the preview update but sadly didn’t make any difference with patch Tuesday. Thank you though.

 

[Colif]

go to settings/windows update/update history
what was the last KB you got?

the initial cumulative update should have grabbed anything it was missing so lets see what you got. It might not tell me much

you can click learn more alongside them and it should take you to website showing what it changed...

 

[WebWaves]

go to settings/windows update/update history
what was the last KB you got?

KB5039212

 

[Colif]

it might have been this:

Windows 11 servicing stack update (KB5037959) - 22621.3662 and 22631.3662

This update makes quality improvements to the servicing stack, which is the component that installs Windows updates. Servicing stack updates (SSU) ensure that you have a robust and reliable servicing stack so that your devices can receive and install Microsoft updates.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...631-3737-d7f574c0-2b13-48ca-a9fc-a63093b1a2c2
those sort of changes can take time. Especially if not done before. It didn't slow my PC down that much as that is last one I got. So it depends how much it has to change.

 

[WebWaves]

it might have been this:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...631-3737-d7f574c0-2b13-48ca-a9fc-a63093b1a2c2
those sort of changes can take time. Especially if not done before. It didn't slow my PC down that much as that is last one I got. So it depends how much it has to change.

That one has been installed too. Okay thanks, as long as the updates are installing then I suppose nothing much more I can do. It’s an MSI laptop.

 

[Colif]

If you have both KB, then I don't know. It includes that quote in the last update as well.
Its about only noteworthy change.

Watch it and see what happens next update cycle next month.

 

[WebWaves]

If you have both KB, then I don't know. It includes that quote in the last update as well.
Its about only noteworthy change.

Watch it and see what happens next update cycle next month.

Okay cheers, appreciate it. If it happens again next month what should I do then? Not sure there’s much else I can do and am thinking if the updates install just live with it?

 

[Colif]

Wait, I know... preview cumulative updates are just early versions of the next months... so you just got same changes twice. You best not getting previews unless PC offers them to you.

i worked out it was a preview when I noticed I didn't have the earlier one, and then remembered you said Preview.

You should be fine. Previews can be missing features so its possible the changes made in last patch weren't in first.

 

[WebWaves]

Wait, I know... preview cumulative updates are just early versions of the next months... so you just got same changes twice. You best not getting previews unless PC offers them to you.

You should be fine.

Cheers mate, appreciate your help.

 

[Colif]

Any time