Windows 11 update times can differ significantly from one system to another, leaving users unsure whether an update is stuck or simply slow. This article explains what influences update duration and what users should expect during the update process. By understanding the normal time frames, you can better judge when to wait and when further action may be required.
How long should it take for the Windows 11 update?
Windows 11 update is taking hours and hours. I left it to run overnight and it’s still only at 17% almost 12 hours later. Says I cannot turn it off midway through, so how what do I do? I’m SO angry with Microsoft. I would never have upgraded if I thought it could take this long. I have a 200/200 speed internet connection, so it has nothing to do with internet speed.
- Question from Dave
Since Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, many users have opted to upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 to ensure system security, stability and performance. However, numerous users have reported that Windows 11 updates are extremely slow, with the progress bar getting stuck for hours or even an entire day. This has raised a popular question among users: How long does Windows 11 update actually take?
In general, the update duration depends on several factors, including update type, system hardware, available disk space, and network stability. When updates take much longer than expected, users may worry about system freezes, failed installations, or even data loss. The common reasons Windows 11 updates take too long including:
Not all Windows 11 updates are equal. Besides being affected by factors like internet speed and hard drive performance, Windows 11 update times also vary depending on the update type. You can refer to the table below for Windows 11 update duration estimates.
|
Update Type |
Average Time |
Description |
|
Security and Quality (Cumulative) Updates |
5–20 minutes |
Monthly updates that include security patches, bug fixes, and minor performance improvements. |
|
Feature Updates |
30–90 minutes (or up to 3 hours for older system) |
Major updates that upgrade Windows 11 to a new version (e.g., 22H2 → 23H2). |
|
Optional and Preview Updates |
10–30 minutes |
Non-mandatory updates that provide early access to upcoming fixes or features. |
|
Driver Updates |
5–15 minutes |
Updates for hardware components such as graphics cards, network adapters, or storage controllers. |
|
Out-of-Band and Emergency Updates |
10–25 minutes |
Urgent patches released outside the regular update cycle to address critical security issues. |
For users upgrading from Windows 10, how long it takes to upgrade from Windows 10 to 11 is a common concern. On modern systems, the process typically takes 1–2 hours, but older PCs may need more time. If your update exceeds these timeframes significantly, it may be time to intervene.
When a Windows 11 update appears to be stuck, it’s important to determine whether the delay is normal or a sign of a problem. Acting too quickly, especially by directly forcing a shutdown can cause update failure or data corruption. You can follow the steps below to resolve a stuck Windows 11 update step by step.
Before forcing an interruption to this process, give the update sufficient time, particularly older systems and hard drives may require a bit more patience. If there is no disk activity and the percentage does not change for an extended period, this means the update is indeed stuck. Proceed to the next step.
Unstable power or internet can significantly slow updates. This is especially true during the first phase of downloading update driver programs, your network speed determines how long this stage takes.
This prevents retries or partial downloads that prolong update time.
If the system still has shown no progress for several hours and appears unresponsive, hold down the power button to force the process to shut down. Restart your computer again. When the system boots up, if Windows detects that the last update wasn’t completed properly, it will usually automatically enter the "Attempting Repairs" or "Automatic Repair" screen. The system will automatically attempt to roll back or repair the update.
If Automatic Repair doesn’t show up, force shut down your PC immediately when you see the Windows logo on startup. Repeat this operation 2–3 times. On the third boot, the system will enter WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment). Select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options", then pick up "Uninstall update" or "Startup Repair".
After rolling back or repair the update, now you can regain access to Windows, you can run Windows update troubleshooter to detect and fix any update-related problems.
1. Go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Troubleshoot", then click "Additional troubleshooters".
2. Select "Windows Update" and click on "Run the troubleshooter".
3. Wait for the process to complete, restart your computer and retry the update.
If Windows 11 update still take a long time, you might need to check the free disk space. Insufficient disk space often causes prolonged update times. More space allows Windows to unpack and stage update files efficiently.
1. Type "Disk Cleanup" in the Search box and open it.
2. Select your system drive (typically C drive) to clean.
3. Choose the files you wish to delete, such as Recycle Bin, Temporary files, Thumbnails, etc. and click "OK" to free disk space.
Corrupted system files can slow or block updates. If the stuck still continues, run the DISM and SFC command to fix system files error. Here's how:
1. Locate Command Prompt in the Start menu and right click on it, then choose "Run it as administrator.
2. Enter the following command one by one:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow
3. Wait for the scan to complete and restart your computer, then try updating Windows again.
Resetting update components can resolve persistent update loops or freezes. This method can refresh the update environment without reinstalling Windows which might solve the Windows 11 update takes too long issue.
1. Open Command Prompt and run it as administrator.
2. Enter the following command one by one and press "Enter" after each one:
Close Command Prompt and restart your PC, then heck Windows Update again.
After a lengthy update is complete, your top priority is to check whether your files still exist or have become inaccessible. In some cases, users may notice inaccessible files or missing files after an Windows 11 update completes. If any data is lost, MyRecover is designed to safeguard your data after system changes like major Windows updates. It can recover files lost due to update failures, unexpected shutdowns, or system restore, without overwriting existing data.
Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer from Microsoft Store or its official website, avoid installing it on the drive with lost files.
Step 2. Open the app and select the drive to scan, then click "Scan" to search for recoverable files.
Step 3. After the scan is finished, you can choose the files you attempt to recover from the recoverable lists under the "Path" or "Type" tab and click "Recover" to get them back.
With MyRecover Free, you can recover up to 500MB of data at no cost. But if you need unlimited recovery capacity and the ability to preview files before restoring them, MyRecover Professional edition is the perfect upgrade. It even helps you recover data from systems that won't boot.
Step 4. Select a safe location (different from the original one) to save the recovered files.
Once the process is done, you can check the recovered files by clicking on the destination folder path or the "Browse" button.
If you’re asking how long does Windows 11 update take, the honest answer is: it depends. Update size, system health, storage availability, and network stability all play a role. While some updates complete quickly, others require patience and proper troubleshooting.
If Windows takes too long to update, you can also follow the steps above to troubleshoot the issue step by step and get the update process back on track. And when data protection matters most, having a professional recovery solution like MyRecover ensures that progress doesn’t come at the cost of your files.