Configuring windows update. Don't turn off your computer

Hi Georges Langer,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum. I understand that your Windows 11 device repeatedly shows the message “Configuring Windows update. Don’t turn off your computer,” and you are concerned about whether this behavior is legitimate.

Please make sure you already tried the Q&A Assist steps. In addition, please try the following.

Before proceeding, I need to narrow down a couple of details:

1, Does the screen eventually progress or restart on its own, or does it remain on that message for several hours each time

2, Are these updates happening after a normal shutdown/restart, or after forcing the computer to power off

In the meantime, you can try these steps:

1, Allow the process to complete if it progresses

• Leave the device powered on and connected to the internet for at least 1 hour when the message appears
• Some cumulative updates may apply changes across multiple restarts

2, Perform a clean restart sequence

• Restart the device from Start
• Do not interrupt the process even if the screen stays unchanged for a long time

3, Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

• Open Settings
• Go to System
• Select Troubleshoot
• Select Other troubleshooters
• Run Windows Update

4, Check available disk space

• Open File Explorer
• Select This PC
• Ensure the system drive has sufficient free space, as low space can cause repeated configuration attempts

5, Temporarily disable Fast Startup

• Open Control Panel
• Go to Power Options
• Select Choose what the power buttons do
• Disable Fast startup
• Restart the device

6, Run a malware scan in Windows Security

• Open Windows Security
• Select Virus and threat protection
• Run a full scan

Regarding the text messages on your Android phone, Windows Update itself does not send SMS messages to phones. While this may be unrelated, keeping your device security checks up to date is recommended.

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Some Windows update may be failing to install correctly.

1

Click your Start Button, type winver and hit Enter

Please provide a screenshot of the resulting dialog.

3

Open the Settings App

Go to Windows Updates

Please provide a screenshot of that window.