"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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

500+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

142 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2010-01-08T23:09:41+00:00

    Same problem brand new Toshiba NB205 - N325BN with Win 7 starter.  Upgraded to Win 7 Professional thru MS website.  Now screen has "Preparing to configure . . . "  Note that the download started BEFORE I keyed in the upgrade key (but after I had purchased the upgrade).

    PS in answer to KeithCombs (see above) the Toshiba was purchased from Amazon.

    Was this answer helpful?

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2011-01-24T08:39:14+00:00

    I bought my laptop yesterday, and when I turned it off at about 22:00, i had 32 windows updates, and it also said, Preparing to configure Windows. Please do not turn off. Then when I woke up in the middle of the night, it said 30% Please do not turn off. Then when I woke up this morning, it had stayed the same all night. Still 30%. And now its 10:00 am. Really? More than 12 hours? And it's still on 30%.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-01-31T11:26:07+00:00

    If you start in safe mode by tapping F8 on startup, Windows 7 will know it stuffed up the last install and fix itself.

    The computer then restarts and "hey presto", it works again. I haven't tried installing any more update though.

    And don't trust a word the Microsoft guys say cos they aren't allowed to admit fault and they just cover there behinds.

    Later!

    I've since done updates and I haven't had any issues. I also didn't have to wait too long but I'm running an i7 @ 3.5Ghz.

    Good luck!

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2010-01-07T21:14:06+00:00

    It's simply just a matter of waiting indeed. It took me 4 hours in total in the end, i hope its worth it. Good luck to you all!

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments