How to Fix Configuring Windows Updates Stuck at 35

Theo Lucia

Jun 03, 2026 • Filed to: Windows Computer Solutions • Proven solutions

TL;DR:

Resolve the Windows update stuck at 35 error by disconnecting all removable media and completing the installation in Safe Mode or a Clean Boot state to bypass software interference.
    ● Revert the stuck installation by booting into the Windows Recovery Environment using installation media and executing dism /image:C:\ /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions in the Command Prompt.
    ● Repair underlying file system corruption by running SFC /scannow as an Administrator or performing a System Restore, which requires a Windows installation disc to initiate.
    ● Create a bootable USB or DVD using Recoverit Data Recovery to extract inaccessible files if all fixes fail and the computer remains unbootable.

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If you begin the updates' installation just as the computer is shutting down, it can fail. The Windows update can get stuck at different times depending on the type of computer and your Windows version. With the solutions in this article, you will be able to fix this error.

The Windows Error, "Failure Configuring Windows Updates"- Why does it Occur?

Windows Update Crash Profiles & Root Causes

There are several reasons why this error occurs and they are enumerated below:

• The Integrity of the File System is Compromised: The file system of your hard drive can become corrupted or damaged due to such issues like power outages, disk write errors, virus attacks. This will result in your Operating System not properly booting, therefore causing the loading process to come to a stop.
• The File System has been Set Incorrectly: If the system update flags are wrongly set, you may encounter this error whereby the system loops endlessly and is stuck at the installation point.
• Interference from Other Services and Applications: Windows updates installation can be blocked by other applications and services that are interfering with the process. This could lead to a failure of the updates as they get stuck at 35.

Solution 1: Isolate Hardware and Initialize a Clean Update Environment

To break an update failure loop, you must eliminate third-party process interference and conflicting storage mediums.

Phase 1: Purge the Corrupted Update Cache via Clean Boot

• Press Win + R, type msconfig in the box, and press Enter to open the System Configuration utility.
• Under the Services tab, check the box to Hide all Microsoft services, then click the Disable all button.
• Switch to the Startup tab, click Open Task Manager, select each enabled startup application, and click Disable.
• Open an Administrator Command Prompt (Win + X -> Terminal (Admin)), type the following commands sequentially, pressing Enter after each to shut down the update services:
  net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
• Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download and delete all files and folders inside it to completely clear out the corrupted update cache payloads.
• Restart your computer. Windows will boot up with only essential services running, allowing you to try installing the update again without software interference.

Solution 2: Revert the Update Installation by Running DISM Command

If your computer cannot reach the desktop normally and hangs at the 35% screen on boot, you must use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool from the Windows Recovery Environment to roll back pending system changes.

Step 1. Boot Into the Windows Recovery Environment

Insert a bootable Windows USB installation drive into your computer, restart, and press your system's boot menu key (e.g., F12 or F11). Select the USB drive and click Repair your computer.

Step 2. Open the WinRE Command Prompt

Go to Troubleshoot -> Advanced options -> Command Prompt to open a system terminal.

Step 3. Verify the Offline Windows System Partition

Type the command below to ensure your Windows installation is on drive letter C: (If it is on D:, adjust your commands accordingly):dir C:

Step 4. Execute Global Pending Action Reversion

Type the exact parameter string below into the command prompt and hit Enter to reverse the hanging update: dism.exe /image:C: /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions

Step 5. Run System File Integrity Check

Run an online check tool to scan and fix errors in the system file binaries on your drive: sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C: /offwindir=C:\windows

Step 6. Exit Terminal and Boot Normally

Once the operation confirms success, close the console screen window, remove the USB installation drive, and click Continue to boot into Windows normally.

Solution 3: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Run the troubleshooter for Windows to fix this error. Many users have attested to the fact that running Windows troubleshooter fixes the configuring Windows stuck at 35 error. Follow the steps below to run the Windows Update troubleshooter:

• Go to Windows "Settings". Click on "Update & Security"

• Scroll to the right and select "Troubleshoot"

• Select the "Windows update" tab and choose to "run the troubleshooter"

Bonus Tip

In case you have tried all the above solutions and none seem to work, try this final bonus tip to see if you can fix the Windows update stuck error:

• Reboot your computer. Note that you may have to hard reboot in this case
• Hit the "F8" key on your keyboard as soon as it comes on before the Windows logo appears.
• You will be taken to the page for "Startup Settings" or "Advanced Boot Options". From the menu, select "Safe Mode"

• With "Safe Mode" you can boot the computer with only the programs that the Windows needs. You can complete the Windows installation in this mode where no other program interferes, after which you boot normally.

How to Recover Data from the Computer When All Solutions Fail to Fix the Issue

When you try to update or configure Windows updates, sometimes it malfunctions and you are faced with errors such as the Windows updates getting stuck. This makes it impossible for you to boot normally. The solutions in this article are meant to help you out of this problem but if they do not work, there is an alternative. The alternative is to use a third-party app to recover all your vital data as they have become inaccessible. A great tool that is capable of recovering your data for you is the Recoverit Data Recovery tool.

The following are unique features of Recoverit:

• It recovers files that have been lost such as music files, photos, emails, etc. using a safe, complete, and effective process
• Recoverit recovers data lost due to corruption or damage of hard drives, deletion, virus attack, formatting, etc.
• It also supports the recovery of data from your flash drive, camcorders, recycles bin, digital cameras, and so on.

Download Recoverit Data Recovery and follow the steps below to recover your lost data from your unbootable PC:

Step 1: Create a Bootable Drive

Click on "Recover from Crash Computer" as your chosen mode after you have launched Recoverit

Choose the USB drive or DVD you wish to create the installation media with. Select "Create"

Erase the drive by choosing "Format now". Ensure all your drive files are backed up first.

Wait patiently as Recoverit creates the bootable drive.

Three steps to using Recoverit in recovering your files will be outlined once the installation media has been created.

Open your Windows BIOS setup page on the unbootable computer by pressing the hotkey for your computer. Once on this page, change the boot sequence to favor your installation media. Now you can boot from it. For more details, check out how to set the computer to boot from a USB drive.

Step 2: Recover Data from Unbootable Windows 10

Choose a data recovery mode to recover your files using Recoverit.

Post-Repair Checklist: Securing Windows Update Stability

• Verify Core File Integrity: Run chkdsk C: /f via an administrative command prompt to ensure there are no physical or logical drive sector allocation errors.
• Reset Windows Update Components: If update errors persist, run the built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter under Settings -> System -> Troubleshoot to fix broken system registration paths.
• Temporarily Pause Updates: Pause automatic system updates for 7 days to give Microsoft time to release updated patches that won't conflict with your current setup.
• Check Available Disk Space Capacity: Ensure your system boot drive has at least 20GB to 30GB of unallocated space so large updates can expand and unpack their data smoothly.
• Configure a Clean Daily Backup Schedule: Use a reliable backup plan or cloud recovery suite to protect your personal directory storage before installing major operating system updates.

Why do People Experience this Issue for Different Reasons?

People experience this issue when trying to carry out a Windows 10 update. This occurs due to many different software and hardware configurations issues which include:

• Outdated, missing, or corrupted system components
• Files that have been retained in the system and are clogging it up
• Third-party software interfering with the configuration; they include antivirus programs and other services.
• Attachments from external sources like USB cables, printers, flash drives, among other peripherals.