Full Fixes to the “Windows Update Stuck at 100” Issue

Windows Update is a key part of the system to ensure smooth system performance. Windows 10 automatically downloads and installs important updates from Microsoft Server, but sometimes update installations get stuck or freeze when processing updates on Startup.

We may see the following message: “Working on update 100% complete. Don’t turn off our PC. This will take a while.” and we will be stuck on the Windows update screen. There are many reasons for the issue, but most of the time it caused by the conflicts with software or drivers.

Now, it’s time to see how to fix the “Windows update stuck at 100” issue with the below-listed troubleshooting guide.

Fix 1: Remove Any USB Peripherals

If our Windows update stuck at 100, the first thing we can try is to remove any external device connected to PC and make sure we also disconnect any device connected via USB like pen drives, mouse or keyboard, portable hard disk, etc.

Once we have successfully removed any USB peripherals, try to update the Windows again and check if the issue has been fixed or not.

Fix 2: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

If we are still stuck on the screen, then we should restart our computer in Safe Mode before we do any operations. We can use Windows 10 recovery bootable media like a DVD/USB bootable drive to enter WinRE to enter into Safe Mode. Here are the steps:

1. Insert the Windows installation CD/DVD or USB bootable drive to our computer, and start the computer.
2. Enter the BIOS.
3. Choose the DVD or USB flash drive as the first boot device and boot the Windows 10 PC from the device.
4. Click Repair your computer to enter into WinRE successfully.

Now, we can continue to enter Safe Mode. We should click Choose an option > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings. Then click the Restart button and press the F4 key to enable Safe Mode.

Tip: We should try Method 2 to 4 in Safe Mode. Try 5 to 6 in WinRE.

Now our PC will restart in Safe Mode. Then running Windows Update Troubleshooter is the easiest and fastest method to fix the “Windows update stuck at 100” error. Here is how to do that:

1. Type Settings in the Search box to open it.
2. Choose Update & Security and then select Troubleshoot.
3. Click Windows Update and then click Run the troubleshooter.
4. It will start to detect the existing problems and we just need to wait for the process finished. Then click Apply this fix.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the repair process.

Restart our computer and then check if the “working on updates 100 complete” issue still exists. If this method cannot fix the error, try the next methods.

Fix 3: Rename SoftwareDistribution Folder

The next method is to rename the SoftwareDistribution folder. Here is how to do that:

1. Type Command Prompt in the Search box, then right-click the first result to choose Run as administrator.
2. Now type the following commands to stop Windows Update Services and then press Enter after each one:
   net stop wuauserv
   net stop cryptSvc
   net stop bits
   net stop msiserver
3. Next, type the following command to rename SoftwareDistribution Folder and then press Enter:
   ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
4. Finally, type the following commands to start Windows Update Services and press Enter after each one:
   net start wuauserv
   net start cryptSvc
   net start bits
   net start msiserver
   Reboot the PC and check if the “working on updates 100” issue has gone.

Perform a Clean Boot

Then, we can try to perform a clean boot, we need to do:

1. Type msconfig in the Run box(pressing the Windows +R keys), and press Enter.
2. Then go to the Services tab. Check the Hide All Microsoft Services box.
3. Now, click the Disable all button, and click Apply to save the change.
4. Navigate to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
5. In the Task Manager tab, select the first enabled application and click Disable. Here we need to disable all enabled applications one by one. After disabling all programs, close Task Manager and click OK.

Fix 5: Run Automatic Repair

If the working on updates 100 complete issue still occurs, we have to run Automatic Repair.

• Click Repair your computer in the bottom-left corner to enter WinRE.
• Click Troubleshoot in the popup window to continue.
• Click Advanced options to go to the next page.
• Choose the Startup Repair in the Advanced options screen and wait for the process to be completed.

Now, when the process is finished, restart the computer and run Windows update to check whether the working on updates 100 is solved.

Fix 6: Perform System Restore in WinRE

If the previous methods don’t work, we should perform a system restore via WinRE. We should notice that only if we have created a restore point in advance, we can try this method.

• Enter WinRE.
• Click Troubleshoot in Choose an option, and then choose Advanced options.
• Choose System Restore in Advanced options.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restore.

Back up System with MiniTool ShadowMaker

What should we do after fixing the issue? In case of something wrong with our system, it’s recommended to back up our system in advance. Now, here is a piece of free backup software for us – MiniTool ShadowMaker.

To learn more about the “Windows update stuck at 100%” issue, this post – How to Fix the “Windows Updates Stuck at 100” Issue on Windows 10 can satisfy our demands.