Laptop won't complete updates and fully turn start up

[Emilyre]

My laptop restarted to complete updates. It keeps saying "Hi, we've got some updates for your pc. This might take several minutes." It won't complete the updates, instead it keeps repeating these messages. Since yesterday. I left my laptop on for over 3 hours to see if it's moving slow but it's still stuck at this part. Repeating the, "Hi..." i don't want to factory reset it to lose all my stuff on the laptop. How to fix it without doing so?

[IT_WinSec]

Hello @Emilyre

Welcome to the HP Support forum. Thank you for posting.

The problem you see is probably caused due to the Windows update that has been applied

Try hard restart/hard reset.

Press the power on-button on your PC and hold it for about 5-10 seconds until your computer powers off completely.

Remove and unplug any external periferals and accessories.

Press once the power-on button to turn on the PC and wait if it will start now. Wait...

If it still fails to load properly, go ahead with the next steps

Perform SYSTEM RESTORE in an attempt to revert back

1. Please, shutdown the computer using the power button (pressed and hold for a few seconds until PC powers off)

2. Power the computer back on.

2.1 As soon as you press the power-on button, immediately begin hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap) before any logo appears. This should open a HP Startup Menu

3. Choose  F11 for System Recovery options.

The computer should boot from it's recovery partition to open you various recovery options. Note, that F11 option will only work if the recovery partition is there (not deleted) and intact. From there, you have prenty of options to choose from. Every HP computer comes with recovery partition present to assist in tough moments.

4. Please, perform "System Restore" first in an attempt to fix the issue. Please, restore back to previous days (restore point) where the issue was not present. Here is more info:

>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03327545#AbT5

>> https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4588-system-restore-windows-10-a.html

5. After restoring and if you are back in business:

- pause Windows Updates temporary to prevent it from re-downloading this "faulty" update >> http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-pause-windows-update-download-in-windows-10/

- block the latest updates using this tool >> http://www.thewindowsclub.com/block-unwanted-windows-updates-in-windows-10

Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes. Provide your feedback/reply.

[Emilyre]

It didn't work. I even tried resetting the PC but keeping the files and it's saying an error occurred and changes were not saved

[IT_WinSec]

Thank you for your details.

I am sorry to hear that. Sometimes Windows updates are too buggy and cause such issues with enduser systems.

I know it's hard loosing your files but since System Restore doesn't work, you don't have many options.

Usually HP provides a way to create an external recovery media (like USB recovery drive).

Also, such an option is available free of charge inside any Windows (since Vista, like Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and now 10).

You have options to files manual back up or variety of automatic stuff.

If you don't have an external image or any kind of back up

and if System Restore didn't help, your only other options to get this fixed are:

-1-  clean Windows installation (full format, erase everything) - details >here<

or

-2-  F11 recovery - restore to factory default settings - delete everyting - details >here<

or

-3-  F11 recovery - keep personal files, delete everthing else

Based on your latest update, I see you have already tried -3-

if you want to perform clean installtion of Windows or attempt recovery but delete everything, I may be able to provide you a way to back up your personal files now which are stored inside your PC's hard disk drive. Let me know and I will provide instructions.

If you need assistance on how to try all the options , like -1- or -2- , or -3-, please let me know.

Good luck !

[Emilyre]

Please help me with the back up of data. I have a flash drive. I want to back up and keep my personal files. I'd like the instructions on how to do so

[IT_WinSec]

Here are instructions how to access the data stored on the HDD - no guarantee it will work:

So, you will need :

- 1 empty/blank USB thumb drive

- Linux based operating system - free to download - e.g. Ubuntu or Linux Mint

- another USB drive or online storage to save the data on

You can directly download Ubuntu Desktop from Ubuntu's web site:

Download the x64 ISO > https://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop

>> http://releases.ubuntu.com/16.04.3/ubuntu-16.04.3-desktop-amd64.iso

or you may consider Linux Mint.

Once ready, you need to write the ISO to make a bootable media (e.g. bootable DVD or USB drive). Here is how:

How to create bootable ISO on USB device >> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows

Use Rufus

When ready with the USB drive:

* Enter BIOS -- Esc / F10

* Navigate to Advanced options -> Boot options and ensure Secure Boot is disabled  (if applicable for your model)

* Ensure Legacy mode is enabled (if applicable for your model)

* Save the UEFI/BIOS changes and exit BIOS

(if applicable for your model) Details>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03653226

Eventually, please, shutdown the computer using the power button.

Insert (plug in) the Ubuntu USB thumdrive prepared previously

Power on the PC.

As soon as you press the power-on button, keep hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap).

This should open a HP Startup Menu

Choose F9 to open Boot options. Select the thumb drive as boot option.

Follow the on-screen instructions to run Ubuntu (do not install it, but try it).

Ubuntu should load. You can try to see if it will be able to mount your existing HDD. Use the built-in file manager utility.

If possible, you may be able to browse your files and copy what is necessary to a online Cloud storage service or to another USB device.

Hope this helps.

[Emilyre]

So i left the laptop on for a while to see if it will start. It did but everything on my desktop is gone and a long message pops up and i can't drag or see the wifi or location etc. On the task bar. All my files are still there. How do i get everything back on the desktop and see the apps?

[IT_WinSec]

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@Emilyre wrote:
So i left the laptop on for a while to see if it will start. It did but everything on my desktop is gone and a long message pops up and i can't drag or see the wifi or location etc. On the task bar. All my files are still there. How do i get everything back on the desktop and see the apps?

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Did you perform the steps re. Ubuntu ?

Did you manage to start the PC ? What is this "long message pops up" saying ?

Would it be OK for you take a picture of what you see and post it back here ?

[Emilyre]

There is no option to send you the photo of it here. Do you have an email?

[Emilyre]

I didn't perform the steps of Ubuntu since the laptop went straight to the desktop first time. Still do that? Or just email you the photo in case there is a solution for it.