Preparing Security Options: 5 Methods You Can Use to Fix it

Check tried and tested solutions that work for everyone

4 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Windows is one of the most usedoperating systems, and each upgrade introduces new features and security options. But some errors seem to find their way into every iteration, andPreparing security optionsis one of them.

Though not strictly an error, it appears as so because of the Preparing Security Options Windows 10 blue screen message. So, let’s find out about the problem and its solutions.

What does preparing security options mean in Windows 10?

When stuck onPreparing Security Options, it usually indicates that the OS is updating security settings. It’s done to keep your computer up-to-date with the latest updates. Here are a few reasons why you are receiving the error:

How can I fix Preparing security options message?

Before we try the slightly complex fixes, here are a few quick ones that might do the trick:

If these don’t work, try the solutions listed next.

1. Uninstall third-party antivirus

Since Malwarebytes is usually found to trigger the problem, we recommend you check for it. Also, remove the other antiviruses as well, to be sure. Finally, if the problem persists, reinstall the one you uninstalled earlier and head to the next solution.

2. Terminate non-critical tasks

If the computer is slow and you get thePreparing Security Optionsmessage, directly launch theTask Managerand terminate the non-critical programs to free up system resources.

3. Disable Hybrid Sleep

4. Uninstall recent OS updates

That’s it. Removing the recently installed update should do the trick if the problem appears after updating the OS. You may have to uninstall a few of these before being able to identify the problematic one.

5. Perform a system restore

If nothing else has worked so far, performing a system restore should get things up and running when you persistently see thePreparing Security Optionsscreen.

Also, in some cases, a failing storage drive triggered the message, so we recommend you useHDD Health Check software. Besides, find the bestWindows settings for improved performance.

If you have any other queries or know of a solution not listed here, drop a comment below.

Preparing Security Options: 5 Methods You Can Use to Fix it#

What does preparing security options mean in Windows 10?#

How can I fix Preparing security options message?#

1. Uninstall third-party antivirus#

2. Terminate non-critical tasks#

3. Disable Hybrid Sleep#

4. Uninstall recent OS updates#

5. Perform a system restore#