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Fix: Windows is Stuck on Cleaning Up - 0 Percent Complete
Getting past this error ensures smooth Windows update for the future
5 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
DespiteWindows 11being around for about a year now, Microsoft frequently supports and updates Windows 10 and will probably do so for a while. Updates often bring fixes and new features to an OS.
To facilitate this, Windows 10 updates have a Cleanup feature that gets rid of the old files to make way for the new ones. But some users have reported the Cleanup feature not starting beyond launching.
What causes Windows Update to get stuck on cleaning up?
The main driving force behind Window Update’s Cleanup feature is theDisk Cleanup toolitself. Any time the cleanup is stuck at zero percent, there’s something wrong with the app.
What can I do if Windows 11 is stuck on Cleaning up – 0 percent complete?
Before trying out any of the solutions, we recommend the following:
1. Run a series of commands
Stopping and restarting the services in the solution clear out the Windows Update cache so the system can redownload the files instead of using the ones already on the drive. Those files may be damaged.
2. Perform a clean boot
3. Run an SFC scan
This solution is recommended to be performed after the clean boot, but you can do this at any time and see similar results.
How can I fix the 0 percent clean-up issue in Windows 11?
In case of facing this issue on this OS, do not hesitate to run the troubleshooter and SFC scan on Windows 11, as described below.
Note that this straightforward solution is the best for Windows 11, but you can also try it out on Windows 10.
Also, whenever Windows Update’s cleanup feature gets rid of old files, it puts them in afolder called Windows.old.
Older versions of Windows tend to be more stable, so this folder is handy to have in case you want to revert. But you can get rid of it, if you choose, to free up space on your hardware.
We also recommend checking out ourbest memory cleaner list. These apps clear out all the extra fluff software manufacturers may add. In return, you’ll experience much faster performance.
Feel free to comment below if you have questions about other Windows 10 problems. And please tell us if there’s a specific guide for any error or app you’d like to see.
More about the topics:error,windows 10 fix
Cesar Cadenas
Networking & Security Specialist
Cesar has been writing for and about technology going on for 6 years when he first started writing tech articles for his university paper. Since then, his passion for technology blossomed into a prosperous writing career. He first started writing about tech in the entertainment world and would later move on to write about smart life tech and social media. He was recently a Technical Writer for tech company Extron where he wrote user guides for audio and video equipment.
He has since moved on to being a freelance writer looking to have a career in copywriting and hopes to share his love and knowledge of technology with the world. Recently, Cesar has written for the cryptocurrency news site, BTCPro and helping people understand tech.
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Cesar Cadenas
Networking & Security Specialist
Cesar is a tech expert passionate about Windows, Microsoft, and anything surrounding the world of PCs.
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