Second thing to know right away : you’re not alone. This happens a lot. And no, it’s not always because your computer is “old” or “bad”. I’ve seen brand-new laptops do the same nonsense. Sometimes when it gets really messy, people end up calling a pro like https://depannageinformatiquelemans.fr just to avoid doing something irreversible. And yeah… sometimes that’s actually smart.

Why Windows updates get stuck (and why it feels so random)

Let’s be clear : Windows updates are heavy. We’re not talking about a tiny patch. Some updates are several gigabytes, they modify system files, drivers, security layers… it’s surgery, not a band-aid.

Here are the most common reasons it blocks :

Slow or unstable internet.
If your Wi-Fi drops every 10 minutes, Windows keeps retrying silently. You don’t see it, but it’s struggling. Especially with big feature updates.

Not enough disk space.
This one surprises people. Windows needs room to unpack files, make backups, and roll back if something fails. If your SSD has 5 GB left… it’s not happening.

A driver conflict.
Graphic cards, printers, old USB devices… one outdated driver can freeze the whole process. I once had a webcam from 2012 blocking everything. True story.

Corrupted update files.
Sometimes Windows downloads the update badly. Half a file missing, checksum wrong, and boom : infinite loop.

Background software fighting Windows.
Antivirus, VPNs, optimization tools… they mean well, but they can mess with updates. Ironically.

First rule : don’t panic (even if it’s been an hour)

If your update has been stuck for less than 2 hours, honestly… wait. I know it’s annoying. But pulling the plug too early is how systems get corrupted.

That said, if it’s been 3, 4, 5 hours on the same percentage with zero disk activity ? Yeah, something’s wrong.

Quick check : does the hard drive light blink at all ? Is the fan working harder sometimes ? If yes, Windows might still be doing stuff behind the scenes.

No movement at all ? Then we act.

Simple things to try before going nuclear

Restart… but carefully.
Hold the power button only if nothing has moved for hours. Windows is usually smart enough to roll back.

Disconnect unnecessary devices.
USB drives, printers, controllers. Unplug everything except keyboard and mouse. This alone fixes more issues than you’d think.

Boot into Safe Mode.
Safe Mode loads minimal drivers. From there, you can retry the update or clean things up without conflicts.

Free up disk space.
Delete old downloads, empty the recycle bin, remove unused apps. Aim for at least 20–30 GB free. Windows likes space. A lot of it.

Using Windows built-in repair tools (yes, they actually help)

Windows has a bad reputation, but some tools are genuinely useful.

Windows Update Troubleshooter.
It’s hidden, but it scans for stuck services, broken components, and resets them. Not magic, but decent.

SFC and DISM commands.
These check system files and repair corrupted ones. It sounds technical, but it’s literally copy-paste commands. And they work more often than people expect.

I’ll be honest : the interface is clunky, the messages are vague, but under the hood, these tools can save you hours.

When it keeps failing… and failing again

If the update blocks every time, at the same percentage, that’s a pattern. And patterns mean something deeper.

At that point, options are :

• Manual update via Microsoft Update Catalog
• Repair install (keeping your files)
• Full system reset (last resort)

A repair install is often the sweet spot. It refreshes Windows without deleting your stuff. It takes time, yes. But it’s cleaner than endless retries.

Final thought (and a bit of honesty)

Windows updates are necessary. Security, stability, all that. But the experience ? Still frustrating in 2025. Progress, sure… but not perfect.

If you’re comfortable tinkering, you can fix most blocked updates yourself with patience and a bit of method. If not, that’s okay too. There’s no medal for suffering alone in front of a frozen loading screen.

Question for you : how long has your update been stuck right now ? Minutes… or “I stopped counting”?

Good news : you don’t need to be a tech wizard, and you don’t need to pay for shady “miracle boosters”. There are actually some solid, free and safe tools that really help clean a PC and give it a bit of fresh air. I’ve tried most of them over the years, sometimes on old laptops that honestly deserved a medal for still turning on.

And if you ever want extra help or clear explanations without the tech blah blah, I’ve often found useful tips on https://aides-informatique.fr, especially when I wanted to double-check something before clicking a risky button. Better safe than sorry, right ?

So, grab a coffee, sit back, and let’s go through the best free software to clean and speed up your PC without risk. No scams, no drama.

Before installing anything : a quick reality check

I’ll say it upfront : no software will magically turn a 10-year-old PC into a gaming beast. That’s just not how it works. But cleaning junk files, removing useless startup programs, and letting Windows breathe a bit ? Yeah, that helps. A lot more than people think.

Also, small warning : avoid tools that promise “300% speed boost” or ask you to “fix 1,248 errors” unless you pay. That’s usually nonsense. The tools below are free, known, and widely used. Still, go slow, read what you click. Always.

CCleaner (Free version): still useful, if used carefully

Let’s start with the most famous one. CCleaner has been around forever. I remember using it back when Windows XP was still a thing. Is it perfect ? No. Is it dangerous ? Not if you use it properly.

What it does well :
– Cleans temporary files (browser cache, Windows leftovers, old logs)
– Frees disk space fast (sometimes several GB, which feels nice)
– Simple interface, very beginner-friendly

What I personally avoid :
– The registry cleaner. Honestly, I skip it. Windows handles itself pretty well now.
– Aggressive startup suggestions without reading them

Used calmly, CCleaner Free is still a solid option. Just don’t click everything like a maniac. Take 30 seconds to read. Your PC will thank you.

BleachBit : powerful, open-source, and no marketing nonsense

BleachBit feels a bit like that quiet guy who knows his stuff but doesn’t brag. No flashy design, no “upgrade now” pop-ups everywhere. Just a tool that cleans.

Why I like it :
– Open-source (that’s always reassuring)
– Very effective on junk files
– Great for privacy cleanup (cookies, history, cache)

But… small warning :
BleachBit can be too powerful if you don’t pay attention. Some options are clearly marked as “advanced”, and for a reason. Stick to the default recommendations if you’re not 100% sure.

If CCleaner feels too commercial for you, BleachBit is a really nice alternative.

Windows Storage Sense : already there, often forgotten

Here’s the funny part : many people install third-party tools without realizing Windows already has a built-in cleaner. Storage Sense is not flashy, but it works quietly in the background.

What it does :
– Automatically deletes temporary files
– Cleans the recycle bin after a set time
– Helps manage disk space without effort

You’ll find it in :
Settings → System → Storage

Is it enough on its own ? Maybe. Especially for casual users. I actually recommend starting here before installing anything else. Sometimes, that’s all you need.

Wise Disk Cleaner : simple, light, and surprisingly effective

Wise Disk Cleaner doesn’t get talked about much, which is a shame. It’s lightweight, fast, and doesn’t try to upsell you every two clicks (a big plus in my book).

What stood out to me :
– Very clear explanations of what it’s deleting
– Safe cleanup profiles
– Minimal impact on system resources

It won’t do miracles, but as a safe disk cleaner, it does exactly what it promises. No more, no less.

Autoruns : for those who want real startup control

Okay, this one is a bit more advanced, but worth mentioning. Autoruns (from Microsoft) shows you everything that starts with Windows. And when I say everything, I mean everything.

Why it’s useful :
– You can spot useless startup programs slowing your PC
– It gives you real control, not guesses
– Official Microsoft tool (that’s reassuring)

Why it’s not for everyone :
– The interface can be intimidating
– One wrong move can disable something important

My advice ? Use it only if you’re curious and careful. Or just observe without changing too much at first.

What actually makes your PC faster (spoiler : not magic)

Quick truth bomb : cleaning software helps, but real speed gains usually come from habits.

A few simple things that really work :
– Uninstall programs you never use (be honest… that trial from 2019?)
– Reduce startup programs
– Keep Windows updated
– Restart your PC sometimes (yes, really)

And if your PC has a hard drive instead of an SSD… well, that’s another story. But that’s hardware, not software.

So, which one should you choose ?

If I had to summarize :
– Beginner: Windows Storage Sense + CCleaner (carefully)
– Privacy-focused: BleachBit
– Light and simple: Wise Disk Cleaner
– Advanced users: Autoruns (with caution)

You don’t need all of them. One or two is more than enough. More tools doesn’t mean more speed. Sometimes it’s the opposite.

Final thoughts (real talk)

Cleaning and speeding up a PC isn’t glamorous. It’s not flashy. But when your system boots faster, stops freezing, and feels smoother, it’s genuinely satisfying. Like tidying up a messy desk. You breathe better.

Take your time, trust well-known tools, and don’t fall for miracle promises. And if something feels weird, stop. There’s no rush.

Your PC has survived worse. You’ve got this.

I’ve seen this problem everywhere. Old office towers that sound like airplanes. Brand-new laptops that already feel tired. Even my own PC once took so long to boot that I had time to make coffee, come back, and it was still loading. That’s when I started digging into the real causes – and trust me, most of them are way more common than people think.

By the way, if you like practical tech breakdowns like this, I sometimes cross-check ideas with sites like https://decisioninternet.net – they tend to keep things grounded and realistic, not just theoretical fixes that never work in real life.

The #1 reason : too many programs launching at startup

Let’s be blunt : your PC is probably trying to do way too much, way too early.

Every time you install software, there’s a sneaky checkbox like “Launch at startup”. Antivirus, cloud sync tools, game launchers, printer utilities… they all want a seat on the startup bus. And Windows just lets them in.

Result ? Your PC boots, but immediately chokes.

What you can do (right now):
Open Task Manager → Startup tab. Look at the list. Be honest. Do you really need Spotify, Adobe Updater, Discord, Steam, Zoom, and three random utilities launching at the same time ?

Disable what’s not essential. You’re not uninstalling anything. You’re just telling Windows : “Relax, we’ll open this later.”

I’ve seen boot times drop from 2 minutes to 25 seconds just from this. No joke.

Hard drive vs SSD: this one hurts, but it’s true

If your PC still boots from a mechanical hard drive (HDD), I’ll say it straight : that’s probably your main problem.

HDDs are slow. Like, physically slow. Spinning disks, moving parts, delays everywhere. Windows 10 and 11 really don’t like that anymore.

Switching to an SSD feels almost illegal the first time. Same PC, same files, same Windows – but suddenly it boots in 10–15 seconds. I remember thinking : “Wait… that’s it ? We’re done ?”

Simple reality check :

* HDD startup : 1–3 minutes (sometimes more)
* SSD startup : 10–30 seconds

If your PC is more than 5 years old and still has an HDD, this upgrade is hands-down the best thing you can do. Even better than adding RAM, in most cases.

Too little RAM can slow startup more than you think

RAM doesn’t just matter once the PC is running. It matters during startup too.

If your system only has 4 GB of RAM (yes, people still run that), Windows is already struggling before you open anything. It starts swapping data to disk, which is painfully slow – especially if you’re on an HDD.

My honest take :

* 8 GB RAM: minimum comfort today
* 16 GB RAM: smooth, stress-free experience
* 4 GB RAM: survival mode

You don’t need to be a gamer or video editor to benefit. Even browsers eat RAM like candy now.

Outdated drivers and Windows updates piling up

This one surprised me the first time I noticed it.

When drivers are outdated – especially chipset, storage, or graphics drivers – Windows can hesitate during startup. Same thing if updates are half-installed, paused, or stuck waiting for a reboot that never happens.

Quick check :

* Run Windows Update
* Install pending updates
* Restart (yes, actually restart, not “shutdown”)

Sometimes that alone fixes weirdly slow boots. It feels too simple, but it works more often than you’d expect.

Startup services you never asked for

Beyond visible apps, Windows loads background services. Some are essential. Others… not so much.

Old printer services, leftover VPN tools, trial software, manufacturer “helpers” – especially on prebuilt PCs – they love running silently.

I once cleaned a brand-new laptop that had :

* 3 backup services
* 2 update managers
* 1 “experience enhancement” tool (whatever that means)

After trimming it down, startup time was cut in half.

Tip : If you’re not sure what a service does, don’t blindly disable it. But if the name clearly matches software you no longer use, that’s a good candidate.

Malware and unwanted software (yeah, still a thing)

I know, nobody likes hearing this. But it’s real.

Adware, browser hijackers, crypto-miners – some of them hook directly into startup. Your PC boots slowly because something shady is waking up with it.

If your PC:

* Starts slow
* Fans ramp up immediately
* Disk usage hits 100% at boot

…that’s suspicious.

Run a trusted antivirus scan. And no, you don’t need five security tools at once. One good scan is enough to rule this out.

Fast Startup : helpful… until it isn’t

Windows “Fast Startup” is supposed to make things quicker by partially hibernating the system. Sometimes it works great. Sometimes it causes slowdowns, bugs, or endless loading screens.

I’ve personally disabled it on several PCs where startup felt inconsistent – fast one day, painfully slow the next.

Turning it off forces a clean boot. It might add a second or two, but often feels more responsive overall.

Worth testing, honestly.

So… what should you fix first ?

If you’re overwhelmed, here’s the order I’d recommend. Simple. Logical. Effective.

1. Disable unnecessary startup apps
2. Check if you’re on HDD or SSD
3. Make sure you have enough RAM
4. Update Windows and drivers
5. Scan for malware if things feel “off”

You don’t need to do everything at once. Even one or two of these can make your PC feel alive again.

Final thought (and a little reality check)

A slow PC at startup doesn’t always mean “your computer is dead”. Most of the time, it’s just overloaded, outdated, or badly configured. And that’s good news – because those problems are fixable.

I’ve revived machines people were ready to throw away. Seriously. A bit of cleanup, one SSD swap, and suddenly they’re smiling again.

So before you rage-click the power button tomorrow morning, ask yourself : maybe my PC just needs a little breathing room ?

And hey – have you already checked what’s launching at startup ?