Rightek Rescue · Guides · Stuck on "Working on updates"

Stuck on "Working on updates" for hours? Here's how to fix it

When an update jams mid-install, Windows can loop on “Working on updates” or “Undoing changes” and never finish. Your files are safe — the update just needs to be un-stuck.

What you're seeing

“Working on updates 100% complete — don't turn off your PC” for hours
“Undoing changes made to your computer” that never completes
“Getting Windows ready — don't turn off your PC” stuck on a spinner
A restart loop after Windows Update

Why it happens

An update got interrupted (power loss, forced restart) and left a pending operation half-applied
A servicing file is corrupt, so Windows can neither finish nor cleanly undo it
Not enough free space for the update to complete

Fix it yourself — the manual steps

Give it real time first — a genuine large update can take 1–2 hours. If it's been much longer with no disk activity, it's stuck.
Force off (hold power ~10s) and back on 2–3 times to reach Advanced Startup.
Try Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Uninstall the latest quality update.
Or from Command Prompt, revert the pending servicing operation with DISM (/RevertPendingActions against the offline image) — advanced.
Reboot.

⚡ The one-click way: let Rightek Rescue do it

Rescue detects a jammed update and reverts the stuck servicing operation so Windows boots again — automatically, no DISM commands. On any working PC: download Rescue, put it on a USB (one click makes it bootable), boot the affected PC from it, and choose Fix My PC. It finds the exact cause and repairs it — your files are never touched. Not sure what's wrong? It tells you free before it fixes anything.

Get Rightek Rescue → See it work

FAQ

How long is too long for Working on updates?

A big feature update can take 1-2 hours. If you're well past that with no drive-light activity and no percentage movement, it's stuck and safe to intervene.

Will I lose my files?

No. This is a boot/system problem, not a data problem - your files are almost always intact. Rescue repairs the system side and never overwrites your personal files.

Do I need a second computer?

Yes - any working PC to download Rescue and make the USB. Any USB stick 8GB+ works.

Which Windows versions are supported?

Windows 10 and 11. Rescue runs from the USB, outside your broken Windows, so it works even when Windows won't start.