That dreaded 'Getting Windows Ready' screen… we've all been there! It feels like an eternity as your PC churns away, seemingly going nowhere. But don't worry, you're not alone, and often, the fix is simpler than you think.
First, *patience is key*. Sometimes, the update process genuinely takes a while, especially on older hardware. Give it a few hours, ideally overnight.
If it's *still* stuck, try a hard reboot. Hold down the power button until your PC turns off completely. Then, power it back on. Hopefully, Windows will roll back to the previous version or complete the update successfully.
If that doesn't work, boot into Safe Mode (usually by repeatedly pressing F8, Shift+F8, or Esc during startup). From Safe Mode, you can troubleshoot further, like running System Restore or uninstalling recently installed updates.
'Getting Windows Ready' stuck is frustrating, but with these simple steps, you can often get your PC back up and running quickly. If problems persist, consider seeking advanced troubleshooting or contacting professional support.