Windows Update got stuck and now I can’t boot into Windows

Question

Windows Update got stuck and now I can’t boot into Windows

Jacob Tegen 0

51AC9F51-3307-47C9-A6E8-0597CC76B2A1

So I had let and update start before I had called it a day and when I woke up the computer was still “trying” to update. I shut it off to see if that would jumpstart it but no success there. I’ve tried using the repair tools but all of them fail. I’m unable to get into safe boot, it just sits there spinning. I’ve been using GPT to help me through but it’s gets repetitive with its steps. It did find thought what part in the update it was working on before it got stuck. I’ll attach a photo, any help is much appreciated!

Jacob Tegen 0 Reputation points

2026-08-13T14:36:43.1733333+00:00

Further information I forgot to include, I’m unable to get into windows repair environment either. I’m currently just trying to use my usb with windows media on it and running command prompt through there. I’m trying to protect my data as much as possible, I did copy over so if I have to reinstall windows I can but it’s the very last step I want to do. I feel like I’m so close to fix this I just need some further assistance.

1 answer

Your answer

Jacob Tegen 0 Reputation points

2026-08-13T14:36:43.1733333+00:00

Further information I forgot to include, I’m unable to get into windows repair environment either. I’m currently just trying to use my usb with windows media on it and running command prompt through there. I’m trying to protect my data as much as possible, I did copy over so if I have to reinstall windows I can but it’s the very last step I want to do. I feel like I’m so close to fix this I just need some further assistance.

Answer 1

Emma1-N 10,230 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Welcome Jacob Tegen,

Thank you for the additional information. I completely understand why you want to avoid a reinstall, especially since you've already backed up your data and it sounds like the installation itself is still being detected. Based on what you've described, you're actually in a better position than many update-related boot failures because you can still access Command Prompt from the Windows installation USB.

Since Windows Repair Environment is unavailable but Command Prompt from the USB works, I'd focus on checking whether Windows is stuck with pending update operations.

First, identify the Windows partition:

diskpart
list volume

Look for the volume that contains your Windows installation, then exit DiskPart: exit

Once you know the correct drive letter (for example D:), verify it by running: dir D:\

You should see folders such as:

Windows
Program Files
Users

If those folders are not present, try another drive letter.

Then run: dism /image:D:\ /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions

Replace D: with the actual Windows drive letter.

If the command completes successfully, restart the PC and test booting normally.

If DISM reports an error, please post the exact error message and the results from list volume. That information will help determine whether this is a pending update issue, a damaged component store, or a disk-related problem without immediately resorting to a clean installation.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Yes". If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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Jacob Tegen 0 Reputation points

2026-08-14T00:44:59.06+00:00

Here’s a couple pictures from what was asked
Emma1-N 10,230 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-15T09:58:24.0333333+00:00

Hello Jacob Tegen,

Thank you for the screenshots. They confirm that D:\ is the Windows partition and that the DISM ScanHealth completed successfully, which is a positive sign.

The next step is to check the integrity of the file system and Windows system files. From Command Prompt, please run: chkdsk D: /scan

Then run: sfc /scannow /offbootdir=D:\ /offwindir=D:\Windows

Please share the results of both commands, especially if SFC reports that it found and repaired corruption or found corruption that it could not repair.

Based on your screenshots, the Windows installation is still accessible, so I would not consider a clean reinstall yet.
Emma1-N 10,230 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-17T02:45:16.0166667+00:00

Hello Jacob Tegen,

Is there any update from you? Please let me know, I will be here to assist you.