What does Windows 10 do while it is “preparing to install updates”?












16














I notice that Windows 10 seems to spend a lot of time "preparing to install updates" before it actually gets on with it. I also note that for most of that time, the progress bar doesn't advance at all. Like how it just now stayed at 10% for a long time (I didn't clock it, but I don't think I'm exaggerating if I put it at a few minutes), then jumped to 68%, relating to a single update.



Because the text alone is apparently not clear enough, here is a screenshot of the specific Windows Update step that I am asking about (follow the link to see the full screenshot from which the below has been cropped). Note that the screenshot was taken during a different update session than the one I am talking about in the first paragraph, hence the percentage complete is different.



Windows Update is 33% done with "Preparing to install updates"



What does Windows actually do with all this time? What "preparations" are taking it such extreme amounts of time?



Note that I am not asking about the actual installation of the update.



While the particular time that prompted me to ask this question was in a VM, I'm seeing similar behavior with Windows 10 running on actual hardware, so I don't think it's related only to the fact that it's running in a VM (even though that could perhaps be a factor).










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  • I checked it this month again and this is GUI bug, at this stage WindowsUpdate actually is installing the update, there is NO preparation at all, this is the actual install.
    – magicandre1981
    Jun 17 '17 at 6:16
















16














I notice that Windows 10 seems to spend a lot of time "preparing to install updates" before it actually gets on with it. I also note that for most of that time, the progress bar doesn't advance at all. Like how it just now stayed at 10% for a long time (I didn't clock it, but I don't think I'm exaggerating if I put it at a few minutes), then jumped to 68%, relating to a single update.



Because the text alone is apparently not clear enough, here is a screenshot of the specific Windows Update step that I am asking about (follow the link to see the full screenshot from which the below has been cropped). Note that the screenshot was taken during a different update session than the one I am talking about in the first paragraph, hence the percentage complete is different.



Windows Update is 33% done with "Preparing to install updates"



What does Windows actually do with all this time? What "preparations" are taking it such extreme amounts of time?



Note that I am not asking about the actual installation of the update.



While the particular time that prompted me to ask this question was in a VM, I'm seeing similar behavior with Windows 10 running on actual hardware, so I don't think it's related only to the fact that it's running in a VM (even though that could perhaps be a factor).










share|improve this question
























  • I checked it this month again and this is GUI bug, at this stage WindowsUpdate actually is installing the update, there is NO preparation at all, this is the actual install.
    – magicandre1981
    Jun 17 '17 at 6:16














16












16








16


3





I notice that Windows 10 seems to spend a lot of time "preparing to install updates" before it actually gets on with it. I also note that for most of that time, the progress bar doesn't advance at all. Like how it just now stayed at 10% for a long time (I didn't clock it, but I don't think I'm exaggerating if I put it at a few minutes), then jumped to 68%, relating to a single update.



Because the text alone is apparently not clear enough, here is a screenshot of the specific Windows Update step that I am asking about (follow the link to see the full screenshot from which the below has been cropped). Note that the screenshot was taken during a different update session than the one I am talking about in the first paragraph, hence the percentage complete is different.



Windows Update is 33% done with "Preparing to install updates"



What does Windows actually do with all this time? What "preparations" are taking it such extreme amounts of time?



Note that I am not asking about the actual installation of the update.



While the particular time that prompted me to ask this question was in a VM, I'm seeing similar behavior with Windows 10 running on actual hardware, so I don't think it's related only to the fact that it's running in a VM (even though that could perhaps be a factor).










share|improve this question















I notice that Windows 10 seems to spend a lot of time "preparing to install updates" before it actually gets on with it. I also note that for most of that time, the progress bar doesn't advance at all. Like how it just now stayed at 10% for a long time (I didn't clock it, but I don't think I'm exaggerating if I put it at a few minutes), then jumped to 68%, relating to a single update.



Because the text alone is apparently not clear enough, here is a screenshot of the specific Windows Update step that I am asking about (follow the link to see the full screenshot from which the below has been cropped). Note that the screenshot was taken during a different update session than the one I am talking about in the first paragraph, hence the percentage complete is different.



Windows Update is 33% done with "Preparing to install updates"



What does Windows actually do with all this time? What "preparations" are taking it such extreme amounts of time?



Note that I am not asking about the actual installation of the update.



While the particular time that prompted me to ask this question was in a VM, I'm seeing similar behavior with Windows 10 running on actual hardware, so I don't think it's related only to the fact that it's running in a VM (even though that could perhaps be a factor).







windows-10 windows-update






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edited May 28 '17 at 11:46







a CVn

















asked May 21 '17 at 13:58









a CVna CVn

24.3k873119




24.3k873119












  • I checked it this month again and this is GUI bug, at this stage WindowsUpdate actually is installing the update, there is NO preparation at all, this is the actual install.
    – magicandre1981
    Jun 17 '17 at 6:16


















  • I checked it this month again and this is GUI bug, at this stage WindowsUpdate actually is installing the update, there is NO preparation at all, this is the actual install.
    – magicandre1981
    Jun 17 '17 at 6:16
















I checked it this month again and this is GUI bug, at this stage WindowsUpdate actually is installing the update, there is NO preparation at all, this is the actual install.
– magicandre1981
Jun 17 '17 at 6:16




I checked it this month again and this is GUI bug, at this stage WindowsUpdate actually is installing the update, there is NO preparation at all, this is the actual install.
– magicandre1981
Jun 17 '17 at 6:16










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















10














I've captured the Windows Update activity with the Microsoft-Windows-WindowsUpdateClient ETW provider.



Here I see no event prepare:



enter image description here



I only see Start and Stop of Download and Install.



I now used WPRUI to trace DiskIO and CPU usage during the step "preparing to Install Updates".



Here I can see that the TrustedInstaller is busy checking hashes (wcp.dll!CCSDirectTransaction::VerifyFileHashes) of the update data:



enter image description here



and I see disk IO where TRustedInstaller.exe copies data to C:WindowsWinSxSTempInFlight and C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionDownload.



enter image description here



So basically this "preparing to install" is actually the installation of the update, so this an confusing output.



With 1809, Microsoft fixed the wrong status and shows directly the correct "installing text":



enter image description here






share|improve this answer































    2














    It's my understanding Windows is creating a shadow copy during this step, though I'm not able to find any sources to confirm this. However, I will offer the observations that:




    • A shadow copy must get created at some point during the update process in order for System Restore to work.

    • Shadow copy creation always takes a noticeable amount of time time, even with an ideal system configuration. Further, depending on the number of VSS-aware applications installed, this can take "longer" than on other similar hardware configuration as the multiple VSS writers quiesce the data they're responsible for.

    • The computer's storage subsystem performance can further exacerbate the time to complete a shadow copy, as this is a disk intensive process.


    I doubt this is the only action being performed during the "Preparing Updates" phase, but it would account for a significant portion of the time required.






    share|improve this answer





















    • no, I checked it this week again. At this stage Windows Update actually INSTALLS the updates, the message is simply wrong
      – magicandre1981
      Jun 17 '17 at 6:15



















    -4














    I think that the most likely answer would be that Windows is unpacking some archives (or even downloading them) and it is definitely preparing the system for the next bootup, so instead of starting normally it continues with the updates.






    share|improve this answer

















    • 1




      "Downloading updates" is a step separate from "preparing to install updates". Preparing the system for the next boot (to update files that are locked) would seem to me to be a part of the installation process, not preparing for install. And even if it was; reasonably, doing so would involve placing the updated files in some temporary location and write some information (knowing Microsoft, probably to the registry) to tell Windows to resume updating during the next boot. Barring an updates well into the gigabytes range, that shouldn't reasonably take more than a few seconds.
      – a CVn
      May 22 '17 at 6:14










    protected by magicandre1981 Oct 25 '17 at 15:14



    Thank you for your interest in this question.
    Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).



    Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?














    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes








    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    10














    I've captured the Windows Update activity with the Microsoft-Windows-WindowsUpdateClient ETW provider.



    Here I see no event prepare:



    enter image description here



    I only see Start and Stop of Download and Install.



    I now used WPRUI to trace DiskIO and CPU usage during the step "preparing to Install Updates".



    Here I can see that the TrustedInstaller is busy checking hashes (wcp.dll!CCSDirectTransaction::VerifyFileHashes) of the update data:



    enter image description here



    and I see disk IO where TRustedInstaller.exe copies data to C:WindowsWinSxSTempInFlight and C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionDownload.



    enter image description here



    So basically this "preparing to install" is actually the installation of the update, so this an confusing output.



    With 1809, Microsoft fixed the wrong status and shows directly the correct "installing text":



    enter image description here






    share|improve this answer




























      10














      I've captured the Windows Update activity with the Microsoft-Windows-WindowsUpdateClient ETW provider.



      Here I see no event prepare:



      enter image description here



      I only see Start and Stop of Download and Install.



      I now used WPRUI to trace DiskIO and CPU usage during the step "preparing to Install Updates".



      Here I can see that the TrustedInstaller is busy checking hashes (wcp.dll!CCSDirectTransaction::VerifyFileHashes) of the update data:



      enter image description here



      and I see disk IO where TRustedInstaller.exe copies data to C:WindowsWinSxSTempInFlight and C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionDownload.



      enter image description here



      So basically this "preparing to install" is actually the installation of the update, so this an confusing output.



      With 1809, Microsoft fixed the wrong status and shows directly the correct "installing text":



      enter image description here






      share|improve this answer


























        10












        10








        10






        I've captured the Windows Update activity with the Microsoft-Windows-WindowsUpdateClient ETW provider.



        Here I see no event prepare:



        enter image description here



        I only see Start and Stop of Download and Install.



        I now used WPRUI to trace DiskIO and CPU usage during the step "preparing to Install Updates".



        Here I can see that the TrustedInstaller is busy checking hashes (wcp.dll!CCSDirectTransaction::VerifyFileHashes) of the update data:



        enter image description here



        and I see disk IO where TRustedInstaller.exe copies data to C:WindowsWinSxSTempInFlight and C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionDownload.



        enter image description here



        So basically this "preparing to install" is actually the installation of the update, so this an confusing output.



        With 1809, Microsoft fixed the wrong status and shows directly the correct "installing text":



        enter image description here






        share|improve this answer














        I've captured the Windows Update activity with the Microsoft-Windows-WindowsUpdateClient ETW provider.



        Here I see no event prepare:



        enter image description here



        I only see Start and Stop of Download and Install.



        I now used WPRUI to trace DiskIO and CPU usage during the step "preparing to Install Updates".



        Here I can see that the TrustedInstaller is busy checking hashes (wcp.dll!CCSDirectTransaction::VerifyFileHashes) of the update data:



        enter image description here



        and I see disk IO where TRustedInstaller.exe copies data to C:WindowsWinSxSTempInFlight and C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionDownload.



        enter image description here



        So basically this "preparing to install" is actually the installation of the update, so this an confusing output.



        With 1809, Microsoft fixed the wrong status and shows directly the correct "installing text":



        enter image description here







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited Dec 16 '18 at 14:35

























        answered Jun 6 '17 at 15:19









        magicandre1981magicandre1981

        81.2k20124203




        81.2k20124203

























            2














            It's my understanding Windows is creating a shadow copy during this step, though I'm not able to find any sources to confirm this. However, I will offer the observations that:




            • A shadow copy must get created at some point during the update process in order for System Restore to work.

            • Shadow copy creation always takes a noticeable amount of time time, even with an ideal system configuration. Further, depending on the number of VSS-aware applications installed, this can take "longer" than on other similar hardware configuration as the multiple VSS writers quiesce the data they're responsible for.

            • The computer's storage subsystem performance can further exacerbate the time to complete a shadow copy, as this is a disk intensive process.


            I doubt this is the only action being performed during the "Preparing Updates" phase, but it would account for a significant portion of the time required.






            share|improve this answer





















            • no, I checked it this week again. At this stage Windows Update actually INSTALLS the updates, the message is simply wrong
              – magicandre1981
              Jun 17 '17 at 6:15
















            2














            It's my understanding Windows is creating a shadow copy during this step, though I'm not able to find any sources to confirm this. However, I will offer the observations that:




            • A shadow copy must get created at some point during the update process in order for System Restore to work.

            • Shadow copy creation always takes a noticeable amount of time time, even with an ideal system configuration. Further, depending on the number of VSS-aware applications installed, this can take "longer" than on other similar hardware configuration as the multiple VSS writers quiesce the data they're responsible for.

            • The computer's storage subsystem performance can further exacerbate the time to complete a shadow copy, as this is a disk intensive process.


            I doubt this is the only action being performed during the "Preparing Updates" phase, but it would account for a significant portion of the time required.






            share|improve this answer





















            • no, I checked it this week again. At this stage Windows Update actually INSTALLS the updates, the message is simply wrong
              – magicandre1981
              Jun 17 '17 at 6:15














            2












            2








            2






            It's my understanding Windows is creating a shadow copy during this step, though I'm not able to find any sources to confirm this. However, I will offer the observations that:




            • A shadow copy must get created at some point during the update process in order for System Restore to work.

            • Shadow copy creation always takes a noticeable amount of time time, even with an ideal system configuration. Further, depending on the number of VSS-aware applications installed, this can take "longer" than on other similar hardware configuration as the multiple VSS writers quiesce the data they're responsible for.

            • The computer's storage subsystem performance can further exacerbate the time to complete a shadow copy, as this is a disk intensive process.


            I doubt this is the only action being performed during the "Preparing Updates" phase, but it would account for a significant portion of the time required.






            share|improve this answer












            It's my understanding Windows is creating a shadow copy during this step, though I'm not able to find any sources to confirm this. However, I will offer the observations that:




            • A shadow copy must get created at some point during the update process in order for System Restore to work.

            • Shadow copy creation always takes a noticeable amount of time time, even with an ideal system configuration. Further, depending on the number of VSS-aware applications installed, this can take "longer" than on other similar hardware configuration as the multiple VSS writers quiesce the data they're responsible for.

            • The computer's storage subsystem performance can further exacerbate the time to complete a shadow copy, as this is a disk intensive process.


            I doubt this is the only action being performed during the "Preparing Updates" phase, but it would account for a significant portion of the time required.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered May 26 '17 at 15:19









            Twisty ImpersonatorTwisty Impersonator

            18k146596




            18k146596












            • no, I checked it this week again. At this stage Windows Update actually INSTALLS the updates, the message is simply wrong
              – magicandre1981
              Jun 17 '17 at 6:15


















            • no, I checked it this week again. At this stage Windows Update actually INSTALLS the updates, the message is simply wrong
              – magicandre1981
              Jun 17 '17 at 6:15
















            no, I checked it this week again. At this stage Windows Update actually INSTALLS the updates, the message is simply wrong
            – magicandre1981
            Jun 17 '17 at 6:15




            no, I checked it this week again. At this stage Windows Update actually INSTALLS the updates, the message is simply wrong
            – magicandre1981
            Jun 17 '17 at 6:15











            -4














            I think that the most likely answer would be that Windows is unpacking some archives (or even downloading them) and it is definitely preparing the system for the next bootup, so instead of starting normally it continues with the updates.






            share|improve this answer

















            • 1




              "Downloading updates" is a step separate from "preparing to install updates". Preparing the system for the next boot (to update files that are locked) would seem to me to be a part of the installation process, not preparing for install. And even if it was; reasonably, doing so would involve placing the updated files in some temporary location and write some information (knowing Microsoft, probably to the registry) to tell Windows to resume updating during the next boot. Barring an updates well into the gigabytes range, that shouldn't reasonably take more than a few seconds.
              – a CVn
              May 22 '17 at 6:14
















            -4














            I think that the most likely answer would be that Windows is unpacking some archives (or even downloading them) and it is definitely preparing the system for the next bootup, so instead of starting normally it continues with the updates.






            share|improve this answer

















            • 1




              "Downloading updates" is a step separate from "preparing to install updates". Preparing the system for the next boot (to update files that are locked) would seem to me to be a part of the installation process, not preparing for install. And even if it was; reasonably, doing so would involve placing the updated files in some temporary location and write some information (knowing Microsoft, probably to the registry) to tell Windows to resume updating during the next boot. Barring an updates well into the gigabytes range, that shouldn't reasonably take more than a few seconds.
              – a CVn
              May 22 '17 at 6:14














            -4












            -4








            -4






            I think that the most likely answer would be that Windows is unpacking some archives (or even downloading them) and it is definitely preparing the system for the next bootup, so instead of starting normally it continues with the updates.






            share|improve this answer












            I think that the most likely answer would be that Windows is unpacking some archives (or even downloading them) and it is definitely preparing the system for the next bootup, so instead of starting normally it continues with the updates.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered May 21 '17 at 18:20









            FluxCapFluxCap

            12




            12








            • 1




              "Downloading updates" is a step separate from "preparing to install updates". Preparing the system for the next boot (to update files that are locked) would seem to me to be a part of the installation process, not preparing for install. And even if it was; reasonably, doing so would involve placing the updated files in some temporary location and write some information (knowing Microsoft, probably to the registry) to tell Windows to resume updating during the next boot. Barring an updates well into the gigabytes range, that shouldn't reasonably take more than a few seconds.
              – a CVn
              May 22 '17 at 6:14














            • 1




              "Downloading updates" is a step separate from "preparing to install updates". Preparing the system for the next boot (to update files that are locked) would seem to me to be a part of the installation process, not preparing for install. And even if it was; reasonably, doing so would involve placing the updated files in some temporary location and write some information (knowing Microsoft, probably to the registry) to tell Windows to resume updating during the next boot. Barring an updates well into the gigabytes range, that shouldn't reasonably take more than a few seconds.
              – a CVn
              May 22 '17 at 6:14








            1




            1




            "Downloading updates" is a step separate from "preparing to install updates". Preparing the system for the next boot (to update files that are locked) would seem to me to be a part of the installation process, not preparing for install. And even if it was; reasonably, doing so would involve placing the updated files in some temporary location and write some information (knowing Microsoft, probably to the registry) to tell Windows to resume updating during the next boot. Barring an updates well into the gigabytes range, that shouldn't reasonably take more than a few seconds.
            – a CVn
            May 22 '17 at 6:14




            "Downloading updates" is a step separate from "preparing to install updates". Preparing the system for the next boot (to update files that are locked) would seem to me to be a part of the installation process, not preparing for install. And even if it was; reasonably, doing so would involve placing the updated files in some temporary location and write some information (knowing Microsoft, probably to the registry) to tell Windows to resume updating during the next boot. Barring an updates well into the gigabytes range, that shouldn't reasonably take more than a few seconds.
            – a CVn
            May 22 '17 at 6:14





            protected by magicandre1981 Oct 25 '17 at 15:14



            Thank you for your interest in this question.
            Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).



            Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?



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