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

Hi,

Thanks to Michael_mscomputing for his post with troubleshooting for this issue:

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...

12. login if required

13 Disable Virus Scanner before moving on

14. Run windows update
15. now it should run without any problems
16. 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,

Also thanks to jc_Newzealand for their suggestion:

I had the same issue, and left it running for an hour or so.

The FIX: Hit Ctrl + Alt + Delete as you normally would and you should be able to log on- problem solved.

If the troubleshooting steps in this thread did not resolve your issue, please create a new thread here.

This thread is now locked.

Thanks!

I just experienced the same problem.  When I left work, last evening, the logoff screen displayed a message indicating that updates were being installed and that I should not turn off my computer. I turned off the monitor, but left the processor running.

When I turned my computer monitor back on this evening, some 19 hours later, the same message was still being displayed and the computer was showing no disk activity.  After waiting another hour, I crossed my fingers and restarted the computer. Then, another message was displayed:

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

After four and a half hours more hours, with nothing appearing to be happening, I manually restarted my computer several times.  Each time, I was given the option to start up in Safe Mode, but when I tried to choose an option other than Normal Startup, nothing happened.  Each time, the startup list timed out and every time but the last, the above message was again displayed. The last time, an additional line appeared in the message, "32% complete."  Then, after another 20 minutes, Windows started up.

Since we are all dependent on these updates, and grateful that most of them install without a problem, it might help if there was a little more information provided, and an option made available for the user to download a few of the updates at a time.  As it was, I was not able to use my computer for almost 24 hours.  Surely there is a better way.

I appreciate the assurances that my Window 7 operating system has not been damaged by my manual restarts. Thanks.

How many updates did you have? Because I really don't wanna wait 6 hourss. :(

I've been waiting 9 hours so far on my brand new Dell netbook (inspiron). This is not very good consumer relations Microsoft.

It seems your estimating algorithm for working out what percentage of the installation is complete is just useless.  Fewer fancy animated graphics and some more statistical analysis required.

Oh yes and stop treating us all as if we've never seen a computer before.