Not many users expect to encounter an error while clicking on the Windows Update and seeing Windows 10 setup checking for updates message. However, this can be the error that stops your Windows 10 setup on the update checking window. For customers who are facing this Windows installation problem, this issue can be quite annoying. It can occur all of a sudden and you may end up with stuck Windows, loss of data, abrupt startup or shutdown problems. Hence, in order to fix this Windows 10 setup issue, you must apply some technical solutions at the earliest. In this article, you will get to know a few quick fixes that can resolve this installation error. Hopefully, after applying these solutions discussed here, you can proceed beyond the checking for updates window while installing the Windows 10 setup.
Get Unstuck From Windows 10 Setup Checking For Updates Mode By Following This Info
Some users may notice that Windows 10 setup checking for updates error while upgrading from other OS versions. The problem can be so annoying that the updates don’t move beyond 0% level. It can also lead to pausing the Windows 10 installation task and freezing your display entirely. If the issues become severe, your PC can shut down without any prior warning or initiation.
Its underlying reasons can include hardware, software, and internet connectivity issues. Hence, it is quite difficult to identify the correct causes of halting of Windows 10 setup process. However, you can troubleshoot this specific problem with these methods as discussed below.
Apply These Methods When Windows 10 Setup Checking For Updates Option Stucks At 0%
Go through these following solutions if you want to complete the installation setup for Windows 10 on your PC without getting stuck anymore.
Method 1: Remove Incomplete Installation Files And Restart Windows Update Service
If the update process has stopped for the Windows 10 on your computer, you can initiate it again. But before that, you must ensure that your system doesn’t have any downloaded files from the previous installation attempt.
To apply this solution, you must disable the Windows 10 Update service for a while. It must not run in the background when you delete the previously installed files on your PC. Now follow these simple steps to execute this solution.
Step 1: Turn Off Windows Update Service
You have two options to disable the automatic service of Windows Update on Windows 10. The first one is by using the services window and the second one is by using the Command Prompt.
So, for the first option, open the Run dialog box and write ‘services.msc’ in it. As it opens the window of services running on your system, locate the service of ‘Windows Update’. So right-click on it and hit the option of ‘Properties’.
Below the tab of ‘General’, check if the Service status is given as ‘Stopped’. In case it is not, then hit the ‘Stop’ button below this section and click ‘OK’. Hence, you can move to the next step after confirming that the services for Windows Update are not running actively.
In case you want to stop the services using the second method, open the Command Prompt window using the Run dialog box. Then write the command ‘net stop wuauserv’ and leave it like that for using the window later again. Next, you can follow step 2 to delete Windows 10 data from the previous installation.
Step 2: Remove Previous Windows 10 Data
Next, check the directory for Windows 10 and remove all the updated files, if any. Hence, find the option of ‘SoftwareDistribution’ from the folder of Windows in your system’s C drive. Otherwise, open the run dialog box and write C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and hit ‘Enter’ key on Windows 10.
Then erase every file present in the SoftwareDistribution folder by hitting Ctrl+A and select ‘Delete’ option. You can also press Ctrl+A and then Ctrl+C to copy all its files and paste some other location on PC (if planning to restore them again).
After this, you need to start the Windows Update service again to complete the solution. Hence, follow method 2 in order to get unstuck from the Windows 10 update search window.
Method 2: Restart The Windows 10 Update Service On High-Speed Internet
To start the services of Windows 10 updates, follow the steps in method 1 to open the services window. Then find the Windows Update from the list and right-click on it. After clicking on ‘Properties’, hit the tab of ‘Start’ under ‘Service status’ section.
Alternatively, follow the steps in the above method to access the Command window and write ‘net start wuauserv’. On hitting the ‘Enter’ button, Windows 10 will allow the update service to run again.
Once you are sure that the update service is active for Windows 10, go to ‘Device Manager’. Then locate the icon of ‘Windows Update’ and right-click on it. Select the ‘Update’ button and let your system search for the appropriate updates for Windows 10. Make sure to connect to a stable and fast WiFi connection to complete the Windows 10 updates installation.
Method 3: Turn Off Antivirus Programs That Can Block Windows Installation
If this error is occurring due to installing an antivirus software that conflicts with your Windows 10, apply this fix. Sometimes, new Windows Updates can be marked as an unknown file by an antivirus program. It can further lead to blocking the entire upgradation of Windows 10, especially when you hit the button for checking updates.
To disable Windows Defender, click on the Windows 10 Start menu. Then select ‘Settings’ and go to ‘Update & Security’ option. Click on ‘Windows Security’ and it will show some information on the left pane.
There, hit the tab for ‘Open Windows Defender Security Center’. Under this, click on ‘Settings’ and also select the link for ‘Virus & Threat Protection settings’. Now, you have to turn off the toggle switches for the options on the Windows Defender Security Center window.
Hence, make the features of ‘Cloud-Delivered Protection’ and ‘Real-Time Protection’ turned off. Also, switch off the option of ‘Automatic Sample Submission’ to turn off the Windows 10 Defender.
Alternative Method: Use Windows 10 Group Policy
There is another way to disable security software and other Windows programs that can pause the update process. Hence, you can apply this method, if method 1 and 2 fails. So, open the Run dialog box and write gpedit.msc. As the window of Local Group Policy Editor appears, locate ‘Computer Configuration’.
Then click on ‘Administrative Templates’ and select ‘Windows Components’. To disable Windows Defender or any other program, you can double-click on the specific folder and choose the option to turn it off.
Hopefully, now you can install recent updates for this OS version without getting stuck at 0%.
