Windows 11 Update Taking Too Long? Finding Proper Answers!

Waiting hours for the Windows 11 update to finish can be very frustrating, mainly when you have some pending tasks. Though updates are essential for security, bug fixes, and new features; sometimes they get stuck due to technical reasons. This situation usually happens because of slow internet, insufficient storage, corrupted updated files, and background processes consuming the system.

Regardless of the reasons, many users wonder why Windows 11 updates are taking too long to install and how they can resume the stuck updates. To answer this, we have completed this guide with the necessary solutions. From checking installations through command prompts to restarting the window update service, it will uncover every approach.

Part 1. Why Is My Windows 11 Update Taking Too Long?

Have you ever wondered “how long to install Windows 11" when you face unusual delays in your Windows updates? Ideally, this whole process takes around 20 minutes or an hour, depending on your device speed and update size. However, various other factors affect Windows updates, as mentioned comprehensively in this section:

1. Slow Internet Connection: A weak and slow internet connection can affect Windows updates, leading to unusual delays. Besides that, when you have larger updates, you need a fast and stable internet connection to download it quickly.

   

2. Insufficient Storage Space: Mostly Windows 11 updates also require extra space to update installation. If your system does not have enough space, the process can be affected, which is why it is advised to make storage space before updating Windows.
3. Background Processes: Running multiple programs and background tasks can consume the system resources, which slows down the update process. Therefore, closing unnecessary applications allows your PC to focus on updates and speed up installation.
4. Corrupted Update Files: Sometimes, the update files themselves become corrupted during downloading, leading to delays. For that, running troubleshooters or resetting the update process can help resolve this issue.
5. Hardware Limitations: Older hardware like RAM, CPU power, or insufficient system resources can struggle with larger updates. Thus, if your device doesn't meet the system requirements, the update procedure will take longer than expected.

Part 2. [Top Solutions] Fixing The Concerns of Windows 11 Update Taking Too Long

Now that you know how long does it takes to upgrade to Windows 11 and what issues cause it, there are various solutions you can try to resolve this issue. In this section, we have highlighted 5 approaches with comprehensive stepwise guidance for your assistance:

1.Checking Installation Errors via Command Prompt

First off, using the command prompt allows you to access the in-depth details regarding Windows updates to determine the reasons behind the delay. By checking the installation error, you can pinpoint the issue with the system files or Windows components. Hence, once you enter the command through the given steps, the system automatically repairs and replaces damaged files for installation to proceed further.

Step 1. To begin with, search for the Command Prompt on the PC’s search bar and pick the “Run as Administrator” option.

Step 2. As it launches, enter the “cd %windir%\Logs” command and hit the “Enter” key. After that, enter the “notepad WindowsUpdate.log" command to access the Windows Update Log in Notepad. There, press the "Ctrl + F" key to search for the term "Error," and you can access the section that has an error message regarding updates installation.

2.Run Windows Troubleshooter To Fix Update Issues

Besides checking installation, running Windows Troubleshooter can resolve Windows update issues by checking its status. While doing so, it repairs the updated components and checks for pending updates to install. Thus, to determine how to run a Windows troubleshooter, adhere to the steps mentioned here if the Windows 11 update is taking too long:

Step 1. In your PC settings, head to "System" and pick the "Troubleshoot" option from the list. On the new interface, select the "Other troubleshooters" option to initiate the process further.

Step 2. Within the most frequent section, tap the “Run” button beside the “Window Update” option to locate the possible issue affecting the updates. As it finds the error, it will guide you on how to resolve it to ensure smooth updates.

3.Use SFC Scan To Fix Update File Errors

SFC scan is a built-in Windows tool that allows you to scan and repair corrupted files, including those related to Windows updates. Using this approach, you can resolve issues that are affecting updates from installing properly. While scanning, the tool automatically detects the replaced files and improves system stability for smoother updates. Therefore, while wondering, “how long does a windows update take?” follow the steps to do an SFC scan:

Instructions. Search for “cmd” on your search bar to access the Command Prompt and run it as administrator. Once there, type “sfc /scannow” and hit the “Enter” key to start the scanning. Wait till the process completes, and as it's done, your Windows update issue will be resolved.

4.Use a Clean Boot To Fix Windows 11 Update Issues

If the SFC scan doesn’t work, try using the clean boot approach, as it helps fix update issues by starting Windows with only essential programs and services. Using this method, you can also check whether the third-party applications affect the Windows updates while resolving background conflicts. Hence, to perform a clean boot to get Windows 11 ready for updates, adhere to the below steps:

Step 1. Type “msconfig” on the Windows search bar and pick “System Configuration” from the menu to start the clean boot process. On the new screen that appears, head to the “Services” tab, tick the “Hide all Microsoft Services” option and select the “Disable All” button. Once done, tap the “OK” button before restarting your PC.

Step 2. Next, head to the “Startup” tab and pick the “Open Task Manager” option from there.

Step 3. Search the applications that are enabled and choose the "Disable" option beside them. Once done, close the task manager in the system configuration window by pressing the "OK” button.

5.Restart Windows Update Service With Command Prompt

Lastly, restart the Windows Update Service with the command prompt when the updates themselves encounter issues sometimes. Through this, the updates will refresh the service and fix stuck or failed updates by clearing temporary glitches that might block the updates. Instead of needing complex troubleshooting, perform the given steps if the Windows 11 install is stuck on the network.

Instructions. On the command prompt, enter the following command and press the “Enter” key after each command to restart the Windows update service.

“net stop wuauserv”

“regsvr32 %windir%\system32\wups2.dll”

“net start wuauserv”

Part 3. Recover Important Lost/Deleted Update Files With Recoverit

While knowing “how long does it take to install Windows 11?”, you might want to know how to resolve update issues if your update files are deleted or lost. Wondershare Recoverit allows users to restore over 1000 file types from more than 2000 storage devices on various Windows versions, including XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, etc. Besides, offering a 99.5% success rate ensures data recovery from hard drives, memory cards, and NAS servers.

While quick scanning is used to recover the data, this tool enables you to pick multiple files because of its batch process feature, reducing manual effort. You can also determine the type of file you seek to restore, like video, file, or Excel file. To focus on other tasks, you can pause and start scanning anytime. Once done, preview them to determine whether the data has been recovered adequately.

Potential Features of Wondershare Recoverit

1. Photo Recovery: With over 35 patents, this tool allows you to receive images from HDD, SSD, cameras, USB Drives, SD cards, and more devices.
2. Video Recovery: Without requiring any technical skills, users can restore video by starting a quick and deep scan anytime.
3. External Drives Recovery: One can also recover the data from external hard drives like USB, Linux, and memory cards.
4. Excel Recovery: By accessing the tool on Windows 1.1.8.1 / 8 / 7 / Vista, users can restore Excel files in various formats such as XLS, XLSX, XLSB, XLT, XLTX, etc.

Detailed Guide to Recover Important Lost/Deleted Update Files With Recoverit

As you know about this tool and have all the answers to “How long does it take to download Windows 11?”, let’s start recovering the lost update files data. Below, we have mentioned simple steps that you can try to restore lost Windows update files:

Step 1. Pick the Hard Drive or Desktop Location

Launch the tool on your device and navigate to the “Hard Drives and Locations” tab located on the left side. There, pick the hard drive from the “Hard Disk Drives” section and the desktop from the “Quick Access” section.

Step 2. Determine the File Type While Scanning

Once the scanning starts, expand the “File Type” dropdown menu to filter the data files for targeted scanning.

Step 3. Preview and Recover the Lost Files

As the process is completed, a popup menu will appear, showing the list of lost files. Tap the “OK” button and preview them before saving them to the device by pressing the “Recover” button.

Conclusion

Summing up, when you learn how long does it take to upgrade to Windows 11, exploring some solutions to resolve this issue is necessary. Therefore, in this guide, we have mentioned 5 methods to continue the Windows updates. However, if your important Windows update files get deleted or lost, we recommend using Wondershare Recoverit, as quick scanning, restores data with a 99.5% success rate.