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How to fix Win10 to Win11 update freeze (not stuck) at 48%

Kira 10 Reputation points
2025-10-05T09:44:07.8666667+00:00

Hello,

I'm going to try to make it short because my issue has a huge history that dates from 2021 and I did everything to solve it, yet it still there, just in different forms.

This issue started back in 2021, where my Alienware R5 17 (with Win10) was ramdomly crashing or having BSOD. I did some benchmarks and some fixes (the best I could back in that time) to solve the issue. But the blocking point to get any results was that the BSOD was not recording any meaningful data in event viewer and was not generating any (dumpfile) because the BSOD was not charging at all and was stuck at 0%, as if my laptop was freezing the moment it gets the BSOD.

Some suggested in my laptop manufacturer website to change stop using the hard drive and get an SSD, so I completely disconnected the hardrive and started using a brand new samsung nvme 4.0 SSD. Additionally, the batery had serious issues and others suggested it might be due to voltage issues coming to the processor so I had my battery disconnected also and since then, I'm powering my laptop directly without battery.

I would not say that this solved the issue, but I noticed less BSOD during 1 year.

The issue came back in 2022 again, but this time differently. I remember wanting to reset my PC and when I was logging into windows, it was crashing, freezing or giving a BSOD. Again, months and months of community questions, but this time I found a tangible reason and it was real: the Intel UHD graphics 630 was the issue. As soon as the computer logs to windows after a clean installation, after updating this driver it was freezing. So what I have been doing since is whenever I reset windows or clean install it and PC freezes during the first couple of minites when it logs on, I was letting it do this for 2 or 3 times until it gets me to the windows reparation menu, I was logging in with safe mode and disabling the device in device manager (I have another graphics card Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070). So disabling the intel graphics UHD 630 completely fixed the freezing after windows installation and I could use my computer. BUT, and here is the big BUT, my computer still froze from time to time, and it had no patterns (can freeze during watching videos, during playing games, sometimes I can just leave my pc on without activity, come and and I find it frozen.) I have the dolby eye tracker, so a way for me to know it froze is when the infrared lights of dolby eye trackers turn of ou of nowhere. PC freezes and mouse stop moving.

Anyway, I'm still facing this issue until today. I can manage it, it's not like it happens all the time but I can live with it.

The issue now is when I try to update to windows 11, PC freezes during the installation at the 48% percentage stage, all the time, always. So I'm now scheptical..

Is windows trying to re-activate the intel UHD at this stage of the update and since it has an issue pc freezes? Is it a totally different problem?

I was before on windows 11 when it initially released with this laptop but I instantly went back to windows 10. At the time, there were no issues I could use windows 11 without problems, but after years now when I wanted to update again to windows 11 (since the 10 will be on end of support soon) I couldn't and I don't know what is the reason.

What happens is that the percentage stops and it seems the whole PC is frozen since the ring thing that is turning during the update stops turning also. So after that I force my pc to turn off by pressing the power button, and as soon as I turn it back on, it says that it is undoing the update and it gets me back to windows 10.

I really want to update to 11 to use my PC for couple of years more, and I want to fix this issue once and for all. whether it is the intel UHD, or something else, I don't know. I'm in real need of help cause this problem hauted me for almost 5 years now, I did everything I can do in my power to solve it, asked everywhere, still nothing.

Looking forward for the community support.

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | Devices and deployment | Set up upgrades and drivers

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  1. Domic Vo 9,860 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-10-06T07:35:43.0333333+00:00

    Dear Kira,

    From what you've described, it sounds like your Alienware R5 17 has been experiencing intermittent freezing and BSODs since 2021, with the issue evolving over time. You've already taken thoughtful steps—replacing the hard drive with an NVMe SSD, disconnecting the battery, and identifying the Intel UHD Graphics 630 as a likely trigger. Disabling that device has helped, but the freezing continues sporadically, and now you're facing a consistent freeze during the Windows 11 upgrade at 48%.

    You're absolutely right to question whether the Intel UHD Graphics 630 might be reactivated during the upgrade process. Windows Setup often reinstalls default drivers—including graphics drivers—during installation, which could explain the freeze if the Intel GPU is causing instability.

    Suggested steps to move forward:

    1. Pre-disable Intel UHD 630 before upgrade In Device Manager, disable the Intel UHD Graphics 630 before initiating the upgrade. Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant rather than Windows Update, as it gives you more control over the process.
    2. Use a clean boot environment
      • Before upgrading, perform a clean boot to minimize background services: Open msconfig, go to Services, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all. Restart and try the upgrade again.
    3. Check for BIOS and firmware updates Visit Dell’s support site and ensure your BIOS and chipset drivers are fully up to date. Some freezing issues are resolved through firmware updates that improve hardware compatibility with newer OS versions.
    4. Run hardware diagnostics Dell provides built-in diagnostics (press F12 during boot > Diagnostics). This can help rule out deeper hardware issues, especially with memory or GPU.
    5. Consider a fresh install of Windows 11 If the upgrade continues to fail, you might consider backing up your data and performing a clean install of Windows 11. This avoids legacy driver conflicts and gives you a fresh starting point.

    If you do a clean install, you can disable automatic driver updates temporarily to prevent Windows from reinstalling the Intel GPU driver. This can be done via Group Policy or registry settings.

    If this guidance proves helpful, feel free to click “Accept Answer” so we know we’re heading in the right direction 😊. And of course, I’m here if you need further clarification or support.

    T&B,

    Domic Vo

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. Kira 10 Reputation points
    2025-10-07T19:43:50.3833333+00:00

    Hello,

    Thanks for all your suggestions, I will go and comment on them 1 by one:

    1. Pre-disable Intel UHD 630 before upgrade: The Intel graphics UHD 630 is always disabled. I try to upgrade with it disabled. I also already tried upgrading with the assistant rather than using the windows update, same result.
    2. Use a clean boot environment: I will start by trying this and get back to you.
    1 person found this answer helpful.
  3. Kira 10 Reputation points
    2025-10-07T21:43:50.4866667+00:00
    1. Use a clean boot environment: Unfortunately, didn't solve the issue other than this time, no freeze for unlimited time. After the PC froze, it turned off. I turned it back on and it went back to "undoing changes".
    2. Check for BIOS and firmware updates Already checked, dell support assist saying I have the latest update.
    3. Run hardware diagnostics Already did, I even ran third party softwares for that other than the windows checks.
    4. Consider a fresh install of Windows 11 Already did before, but windows 11 crashes as soon as it higher purcentage, maybe 71 something like that. Figured it's the same issue.

    Any other things I can do please?

    1 person found this answer helpful.

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