Fix Surface Pro Stuck on 'Preparing to Configure Windows 10'

If your Surface Pro is stuck on the 'Preparing to Configure Windows 10' screen, don't worry. Here are several methods you can try to resolve the issue and get your system back to normal.

How to Fix a Stuck "Preparing to Configure Windows" Screen?​

1. Wait Patiently​

• Be patient and let the process continue for at least a few hours. It may take time for Windows to complete the updates, especially on older or slower machines.

Giving your computer enough time might resolve the issue as the update process can sometimes be lengthy due to the system's performance and capacity.

2. Perform a Hard Reboot​

• Press and hold the power button on your computer until it turns off completely.
• Unplug your desktop from the main power supply. For laptops, remove the battery if possible, or let it run out of power.
• Wait a few minutes before reconnecting the power supply or reinstalling the battery.
• Press the power button to turn on your computer.

This method forces your system to reboot, which can often resolve issues caused by the update process getting stuck.

3. Uninstall Recent Updates​

• Restart your computer while holding the Shift key or press Shift + F8 during startup to access the startup options.
• Select Advanced options and then Uninstall Updates.
• Follow the prompts to remove recently installed updates.

Uninstalling recent updates that caused issues can help your system revert to a stable state.

4. Repair Windows Automatically​

Via Troubleshooter

• Open Settings from the Start menu.
• Navigate to Update & Security and select Troubleshoot.
• Click on Windows Update and then Run the troubleshooter.

Via Command Prompt

• Open Command Prompt with administrator privileges: Type cmd in the Windows search, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
• In the Command Prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
• Wait for the scan to complete and restart your computer.

Using built-in tools to repair Windows can resolve many issues related to system files and updates.

5. Reset Windows 10​

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
  
• Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
• Choose between Keep my files or Remove everything.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.

Resetting Windows can resolve persistent issues by restoring your system to its default state.

6. Disconnect External Devices​

• Turn off your computer by holding the power button.
• Disconnect all external devices such as USB flash drives, external hard drives, and printers.
• Turn on your computer and check if the update process completes successfully.

External devices can sometimes interfere with the update process. Disconnecting them can help resolve the issue.

7. Perform a Clean Boot​

• Press the Windows logo key + R to open the Run dialog.
• Type msconfig and press Enter.
• In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.
• Check Hide all Microsoft services and then click Disable all.
• Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
• In Task Manager, disable all startup items.
• Close Task Manager and click OK in the System Configuration window.
• Restart your computer.

Performing a clean boot helps eliminate software conflicts that could be causing the issue.

8. Restore Your Windows System​

• Press the Windows logo key and type restore.
• Select Create a restore point from the results.
• In the System Properties window, click System Restore.
• Follow the prompts to choose a restore point before the update issue occurred.
• Complete the restoration process.

Restoring your system to a previous state can resolve issues caused by recent changes or updates.

9. Update Drivers​

• Download and install Driver Easy from its official website.
• Run Driver Easy and click Scan Now.
• Click Update next to any flagged devices to download and install the correct driver automatically.

Updating your drivers ensures all your hardware components are compatible with the latest Windows updates.

By following these solutions, you should be able to resolve the "Preparing to configure Windows" issue and get your system running smoothly again.