That dreaded 'Getting Windows Ready. Don't turn off your computer' screen… and it's been there for hours? We've all been there! It's frustrating, but don't panic. This isn't necessarily a sign of doom. Often, it's just Windows taking its sweet time installing updates.
First, be patient. Seriously. Give it a few hours, especially after a major update. If it's *still* stuck after, say, 4-6 hours, try a hard reboot (hold down the power button until it shuts off). This *can* cause issues, so consider it a last resort.
If it restarts and gets stuck again, you might have a deeper problem. Booting into Safe Mode (usually by pressing F8 repeatedly during startup, but check your manufacturer's instructions) could let you uninstall the problematic update. If Safe Mode doesn't work, you might need to consider system recovery options (again, refer to your manufacturer's documentation or a repair shop). Preventing these issues in the future involves regular backups and a stable internet connection during updates.
