stuck on setiing things up

Miss Sorah March 0 Reputation points
2026-10-14T21:47:22.6033333+00:00

I have reset my entire laptop and it is getting stuck on please wait while we set things up for you after it has restarted.

How long can this take and is there any other way to do it other than having a microsoft email?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Accounts, profiles, and login
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  1. John Jefferson Doyon 89,735 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-10-15T00:24:06.0033333+00:00

    Hi, @Miss Sorah March

    How long has it been stuck on that screen?

    If it has been stuck on “Please wait while we set things up for you” for over an hour, hold the power button for about 10 seconds to shut it down, then turn it back on.

    Windows 11 Home and Pro for personal use require a Microsoft account during setup. It does not have to be an Outlook or Hotmail address; you can use Gmail, Yahoo, or another email address.

    After setup, you can switch to a local account under Settings > Accounts > Your info > "Sign in with a local account instead."

    How long has it been stuck on that screen?

    Click "Add comment" to let me know.

    Thanks!

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-14T21:47:37.1066667+00:00

    If the screen is still on “please wait while we set things up for you” for many hours, it may be stuck rather than still progressing.

    Try this:

    1. Keep the laptop plugged into power.
    2. If it has only been a short time, wait longer first. Some setup and reset steps can take an extended time.
    3. If it has been stuck for many hours with no change, press and hold the Power button for about 10 seconds to turn it off.
    4. Wait about 30 seconds, then turn it back on.
    5. If Windows Recovery appears, select: Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Remove everything
    6. If available, choose Cloud download to restart the reset using fresh system files.
    7. Disconnect external devices during the process and avoid closing the lid.

    About the Microsoft email question:

    • Surface setup includes the option to sign in with or create a Microsoft account.
    • If setup is rejecting an account, one documented workaround is to temporarily bypass sign-in by disconnecting from the network, then using Shift + F10, typing start ms-cxh:localonly, and continuing with Create a user for this PC.

    If the device continues to stall after retrying the reset, the accepted guidance in similar cases is to restart the reset from Windows Recovery. A hard shutdown during a stalled reset can interrupt the process, so use it only after the screen has been unchanged for a long time.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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