Windows 10 Feature Update 2004 taking too long to install

Please see my comment to Lance above this one regarding the unorthodoxy of my procedure. :)

Yeah, I saw that, and I think, well, you should have just let that one slide. You are trying to help, and you believe that we should just buy this, lock, stock, and barrel, and just sell ourselves out. Yeah, there are as many configurations, as there are users, but isn't that what MS is supposed to address? As an "Insider" both Windows and Office 365 (Microsoft), I can attest to many, many, MANY, issues with updates, installs, 3rd party software, drivers, et al. But I do what I do so that maybe something I learned can help someone on this forum, or others. MS pays big money to people who are supposed to address our concerns. To tell someone to just stick it isn't an amicable solution. You sound like Donald Trump, Jr! 

This update issue is not unique, but it certainly isn't the norm. My system updated Sunday morning, in about 1.5 hours. It restarted several times, but I have the latest build. I have a friend, whose system I maintain, that started this morning at 6, and he called me at 12:30 saying it was stuck on 84%. I told him to just let it run, and if it is still running in an hour, I'll come to him to see what I can do. But I wouldn't tell him that this is normal, because it's not.

I would gladly remove the software that's causing me heartburn, but working in the tech space, I have multi-dozens of tools and utilities to support the operating environment I work in. Doing that may result in total mayhem if/when said tool was unavailable to me in a time of need.

While I realize Microsoft cannot account for every little piece of hardware/software out there, it doesn't make this wash, rinse, repeat cycle any easier -- IT weenies (like myself) are used to being on the bleeding edge of technology, yet with the release of Windows 10, it seems as though they've taken a page out of their "office 365" playbook...I'm jealous that the very customers (employees) I support have build 2004 on their devices and ZERO problems and yet, here I am, wanting...waiting...struggling. LOL. It used to be the other way around...I'd be beta testing the next release of the operating system, service packs, etc., and make decisions on how best to proceed. Now, Microsoft is in control of that and there's very little the SMBs of the world can do to stop them. It's no secret Microsoft would love for everyone to be self sufficient (I.e., no longer need IT personnel), but that is a pipe dream. With the proliferation of technology, cloud computing and people coming unglued when their screen goes dark (umm, did you try powering it on?), that's highly unlikely to happen while this ole bird is still alive and kicking. As for figuring things out, I know it's only a matter of time before that happens or it's time for a new computer. :0)

As for your comment regarding HP printers, of all the computing hardware I've had the luxury of coming in contact with, their printers have always been rock solid. Without naming names, the rest of them (yep, I said it) pale in comparison (IMHPO) in terms of function and longevity. Of course, there's a reason why their products are more expensive...the proof is in the 17yo HP color laserjet I have sitting in my office. While it's a dinosaur (slooooow to warm up, print, etc.), it still produces the output I require. As long as they continue selling toner and maintenance kits, I'll keep using it.  LOL.

Please see my comment to Lance above this one regarding the unorthodoxy of my procedure. :)

Indeed, if you have an SSD, you don't need to defrag your drive because it won't make any difference (unless, I suppose, the fragmentation is very severe).

If your theory is correct, will you try to uninstall the 3rd-party software?

I am not convinced that the listed amount of drive space for 2004 is accurate.

I don't think of it as unorthodox because I do not believe that Microsoft has the ability to guarantee no problems with updates being incompatible at this time. Perhaps in the future, when they have devised an AI that will oversee the installation, it might be different, but with the vast array of hardware and software out there now, as you know, it's so easy for something to be broken. How many times do Windows updates cause the drivers for your network printers to stop working? I was taking care of a small network and, at first, I thought that HP's printers were **** until I found out that the problem was Windows updates messing up the drivers from HP. It was quite frustrating until I was able to get help from HP.

I hope you'll figure it out! I'd try to advise you but you doubtlessly know more about Windows than I do. Success!

Please see the process I followed on page 8. You don't necessarily have to use CCleaner and Defraggler, but it's easier with them than using the native Windows tools.