Stuck on Updating Windows

Hi everybody, I have an ASUS 301UX Ultrabook and it is stuck on Windows update. “Installing update 1 of 4.” The little white circle is turning so it’s not frozen, just stuck. It’s been that way for about 18 hours.

I’ve read threads on this here and elsewhere. Lots of helpful things to do after getting it un-stuck, but I’m not there yet.

Alt-Ctl-Del doesn’t do anything. Turning it off and on doesn’t do anything. I’ve tried turning it off and turning it on while holding F8 to get to safe mode, but that doesn’t work. I brought it to work with me and hooked it up thinking I might get a “no internet connection” message that would let me cancel out, but that hasn’t happened.

I’d pull the battery but it’s an internal, non-removable battery, so that ain’t happening.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the welcome and the suggestion.

All I have is a blue screen (not BSOD, just a blue background) and it says "Keep your PC plugged in until this is done. Installing update 1 of 4..." And there is the rotating white circle (white dots in a circle) to the left of that.

No menus or no way that I can find to get to a menu.

Ok. It's trying to finish the task before the restart process starts. In no way shut it down yet! Give it some time. I'll be back. Please post if anything changes.

I did shut it down to bring it to work with me, but it had been going for about 18 hours (!) so I thought something had to be wrong. It's on now but with no wifi and I can't set up the wifi since it's stuck on the "updating" page.

Thanks

You're quite welcome.

Go to the Windows 8 section of this help page and do steps 1 and/or 2.

Windows Update freezes when you install updates in Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista

Second thought > The update page after my initial instruction? If so, do method 4 of that page I just linked. Be aware of what refreshing does though. I'll be back with a link on that.

If it comes to the point that you need to refresh, read all the info and warnings here:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2293-refresh-windows-8-a.html

If you'll notice, the shutdown method I gave you originally is one of the steps on that MS help page I linked. Not understanding why that didn't work if it hasn't.

OK, thanks! Will give it a try.