"Preparing To Configure Windows. Please Do Not Turn Off Your Computer"

Anonymous
2009-12-03T01:02:16+00:00

Hi. I just got my new laptop yesterday with Windows 7 Home Premium. When I left for school this morning, I shut down my computer and saw that it had 22 Windows Updates to download. When I turned it back on this afternoon, it was stuck at a screen that said "Preparing To Configure Windows. Please Do Not Turn Off Your Computer." I decided to wait but it stayed the same for as long as I waited. Finally, I powered it off by holding on the power button, and just normally booted the system. Will there be any damage done to my new laptop? Is there any way I can prevent this update glitch from happening again? Thanks.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2010-04-23T05:50:01+00:00

Hi. I just got my new laptop yesterday with Windows 7 Home Premium. When I left for school this morning, I shut down my computer and saw that it had 22 Windows Updates to download. When I turned it back on this afternoon, it was stuck at a screen that said "Preparing To Configure Windows. Please Do Not Turn Off Your Computer." I decided to wait but it stayed the same for as long as I waited. Finally, I powered it off by holding on the power button, and just normally booted the system. Will there be any damage done to my new laptop? Is there any way I can prevent this update glitch from happening again? Thanks.

I just bought a Toshiba Laptop for a Client with windows 7 home,

As a favour for my clients I usually run windows update for them so they get it all working and are 100% confident that when they get it as up to date as possible,

I ran into the exact same problem as above, i read this thread and read all different reply's but none of them realy worked for me and i didnt have time to wait...

this is what worked for me:

  1. Hold down the power button and switch of your machine
  2. Restart your computer and just before windows boots hit the F8 button
  3. Boot into safe mode
  4. login (if nessecary)
  5. Make sure that any virus scanners at this point are disabled before continuing
  6. Click "Start" > "Accessories" > "System Restore"
  7. Click "Next"
  8. Pick an earlier restore point and then click next, (its best to pick the 1 just before you had problems)
  9. Click next and follow the prompts and it will start a system restore
  10. wait till your computer does this System Restore process
  11. Regardless of whether the system restore process fails or passes it should now get you out being stuck at "Preparing To Configure Windows. Please Do Not Turn Off Your Computer."

Now...

  1. login if required

13 Disable Virus Scanner before moving on

  1. Run windows update
  2. now it should run without any problems
  3. if you do have problems and run into a loop Call your Computer Manufacturer or the company that you purchased it off and see if they can help you,

Thanks

Michael

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-03-14T22:05:09+00:00

    i dind´t manege to download the update it´s show me error  code 8024402f. please help me

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-03-14T20:45:00+00:00

    Had same problem with a DIY Asus Main board machine, awesome machine, had narry a problem with it untill this update. This worked for me as well, Reboot F8 Then START, then SAFE Mode, no networking, remember when going into "Safe Mode" it may take awhile for it load up, so don't stop or shut down. Go to the latest restore point or just before update was done, not the earliest restore point that might be showing. I got back and running and then did the 8 updates again, again it took a very long time to load and stayed on the "Configuring updates" screen for about 10 minuets. But it did take this time and all is well.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-02-29T01:09:30+00:00

    Ctrl+Alt+Del worked a charm for me, thanks man! I was running this in virtual so didn't even contemplate that as a solution!

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-01-20T18:13:46+00:00

    I tried all of the "tricks" posted here.  However, the only effective way is to do a hard reset.  I just don't understand how Microsoft can just ignore our feedback, totally ignore them and get away with it.

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