Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Start with Microsoft’s Windows Update troubleshooter in Get Help. Follow its prompts, restart the PC when it finishes, and check for updates again. If the scan still stalls, use the exact error code or symptom to choose a targeted next step—rather than assuming the spinning screen reveals the cause. Back up personal files before broader troubleshooting.
Start with the Windows Update troubleshooter
Microsoft recommends the automated Windows Update troubleshooter in Get Help as the first step on Windows 11. Open Get Help, run the Windows Update troubleshooter, and follow the on-screen prompts. It runs diagnostics and attempts to fix common problems. If the issue remains, Microsoft advises running it again to check for additional errors or moving to its Windows Update troubleshooting guidance.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
If Get Help is unavailable, Microsoft also documents Settings routes. Labels may vary by Windows version:
- Windows 11: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update.
- Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update.
Microsoft’s general Windows Update guidance also directs users to Get Help. The Settings paths are alternatives shown in its support instructions.
#1 Best Overall
- 14" diagonal, 1366x768 resolution, HD BrightView LED, Glossy NON-TOUCH Display
Restart, then check again
When the troubleshooter finishes, restart the computer and then return to Windows Update to check again. Make sure the PC is connected to the internet. Check available storage if an error or the update itself points to a space problem.
Microsoft lists 16 GB of free space for a 32-bit OS upgrade and 20 GB for a 64-bit OS upgrade in its upgrade-troubleshooting context. Those figures are not universal minimums for every ordinary update scan.
Rank #2
- 256 GB SSD of storage.
- Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM
- Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.
Use an error code to choose a targeted repair
If Windows displays an error code, record it exactly and follow Microsoft’s instructions for that code in its troubleshooting guide. Different codes point to different possible conditions, and a code is more useful than applying unrelated fixes at random.
| Error code | Possible condition Microsoft associates with it | Practical next step |
|---|---|---|
| 0x8007000d | Windows Update files or cache corruption | Follow the code-specific repair instructions. |
| 0x70422 | The Windows Update service is disabled or stopped | Use the service-related instructions for this code. |
| 0x80070020 | Another process is blocking the update | Follow the code-specific guidance to address the conflict. |
For some cache-related cases, Microsoft’s instructions include stopping the Windows Update service, clearing the contents of C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution, and starting the service again. This is a targeted procedure, not a universal first fix for a slow scan. Follow Microsoft’s steps as written and do not delete unrelated files.
Rank #3
- FULL HD IPS DISPLAY - Enjoy vibrant, crystal-clear images with 178-degree wide-viewing angles
- AMD RYZEN 3 30 PROCESSOR - Everyday performance you can count on; Multitask, stream, game casually, and edit photos smoothly with responsive power and vibrant HDR visuals
- ENJOY UP TO 14 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES OF BATTERY LIFE - HP Fast Charge restores battery from 0 to 50% in approximately 45 minutes
- AMD RADEON 610M GRAPHICS - Experience smooth entertainment; Built for streaming and multitasking, enjoy realistic visuals and efficient performance for work and play
- STORAGE AND MEMORY - 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD offers fast speed and efficient storage; and 8 GB LPDDR5 RAM memory boosts performance with higher bandwidth
Escalate carefully if the scan still will not complete
Microsoft recommends backing up personal files before using its general troubleshooting procedures. Its more advanced command-line steps are intended for people comfortable working with the command line; they are not necessary for everyone.
If ordinary troubleshooting fails and the problem appears broader than one scan, review Microsoft’s Windows recovery options. For Windows 11 version 22H2 or later, Microsoft lists reinstalling the current version while keeping files, apps, and settings. Treat that as a substantial recovery step, not a routine response to a scan that merely appears slow, and back up important data first.
Rank #4
- 14” Diagonal HD BrightView WLED-Backlit (1366 x 768), Intel Graphics,
- Intel Celeron Dual-Core Processor Up to 2.60GHz, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD
- 3x USB Type A,1x SD Card Reader, 1x Headphone/Microphone
- 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2x2) Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, HP Webcam with Integrated Digital Microphone
- Windows 11 OS, Dale Blue
What a stuck scan does—and does not—tell you
A “Checking for updates” screen by itself does not identify the underlying cause. Microsoft’s troubleshooting guidance associates particular failures with possibilities including corrupted update files or cache, a stopped service, connection problems, or insufficient disk space. Those are avenues to investigate when the relevant error or symptoms support them, not diagnoses based only on a spinner.
Microsoft’s reviewed guidance does not establish a universal number of minutes after which a scan should be called frozen. If there is no error code, begin with the troubleshooter and restart sequence rather than relying on an invented time cutoff.
Windows 10 has a separate support limitation
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft says that after that date it no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. That support end date is distinct from the immediate symptom: it does not, by itself, explain why a particular scan is stuck.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
