How To Fix a Stuck Windows Update Assistant and Rescue Your Update

How To Fix a Stuck Windows Update Assistant and Rescue Your Update

When Windows Update fails, there are things you need to do.

Microsoft releases new updates for Windows 10 frequently, and not all systems make the update transition smoothly.

While many things can go wrong while updating, the most common thing that goes wrong is the "Stuck Windows 10 Update Assistant". The Windows 10 Update Assistant automatically downloads and installs updates on your device, but it doesn't always properly work.

Though it's common for updates to be stuck for just a while at several points, but sometimes it just remains there. Microsoft recommends that you wait 6-7 hours before attempting to fix the problem.

Here are some steps you can use to fix a stuck Windows Update Assistant.

1. Copy the Media Folder From C:\$GetCurrent\

This is the Microsoft recommended method that is official, and it usually fixes this error. Here is the way to perform this operation:

1. Launch File Explorer and type C:\$GetCurrent in the address bar. Press Enter.

2. From the directory, copy and paste the Media folder to your desktop. Ensure that the Hidden items checkbox is ticked. It can be accessed via the View.

3. Restart your computer and copy the Media folder from the desktop back to C:\$GetCurrent.

4. Open the Media folder and double-click on Setup.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions until you get to the "Get important updates" screen. Here select "Not right now" and then click on Next.

6. After the setup is complete, you need to install the updates. To do this, type Windows Update and click on Windows Update Settings from the search results.

7. Then click on Check for updates.

2. Restart the Windows Update Service

Another effective way to tackle a stuck Windows Update Assistant is to first restart the Windows update service altogether. Alternatively, if your PC is acting sluggish after an update, you can fix it easily.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. In the Start menu search bar, type "services" and click on Services from the results. 

2. Alternatively, you can press  the "Windows Key + R" to open the Run command. Type "services.msc" and press "Enter" to launch the Services application.

3. In the Services list, scroll down until you find Windows Update service.

4. Double-click on it, and under the General tab, click on Stop.

5. Exit and re-launch the Services app.

6. Scroll down and find Windows Update

7. Double-click on it, and this time click on Start.

8. Exit and reboot your computer.

9.Try installing the updates again.

3. Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter

The in-built Windows troubleshooter can also be used for diagnose to the common problems with Windows Update. Although it is not always the most competent, it does manage to help in detecting a wide array of errors.

To make use of this Windows Update Troubleshooter, do the following:

1. In the Start menu search bar, type "control panel" and click on the Control Panel app.

2. In the Control Panel search bar, type "update."

3. From the results, click on Find and fix windows update problems under the Troubleshooting section.

4. In the troubleshooting wizard, click on Next and wait for the troubleshooting process to complete.