lifehacker What happens if you turn off the power while updating Lifehacker Lifehacker Lifehacker Windows?

The probability of having trouble during the update installation is surprisingly high in "Windows 10".One of the most common problems is that the update freezes on the way.

What exactly does this mean?

If Windows Update freezes, it will be in a situation in either whether the machine will not complete the installation or it will take a long period of time.What users think intuitively when they freeze like that are "turn off the computer and start over."

Nevertheless, during the Windows update, a warning that "do not turn off the computer" is displayed.

Still, if Windows Update freezes on the way, should the machine be turned off?In the following, we will verify this question.

Basic knowledge of Windows Update process

In the OS before Windows Vista, Microsoft released the OS update in a different service pack.The service pack must be installed manually.

The use of such a hassle was because of the reasons related to the structure of architecture, which is the foundation of Windows at the time.

However, with the release of Vista, Microsoft changes its policy.We decided to use a new process called "COMPONENT BASED SERVICING" (CBS) to set the Over the Air (OTA) update as the main.

The change in this update strategy was as good as the architecture change in Windows Vista.

Windows Vista was designed as a group of independent components.Each part of Windows Experience, which is familiar to us, was made as separate parts.

The changed Windows architecture at this time has been inherited to the current Windows 10.For example, "Explorer" is an independent component, like the control panel.

The purpose of the introduction of CBS was to stabilize the update process by providing services individually to each component.

With this, even if you have any trouble during the update, the CBS will restart the OS and reduce the effects of errors and conflicts.

Therefore, when the user instructs the update installation, the CBS checks all files and confirms that the files related to specific components and all major files are prepared.

After confirming that all files are available, CBS starts the installation process.

Next, CBS installs all files and tools required for Windows to work.This includes Explorer, hardware drivers, and major files for OS.

When all necessary files are installed, CBS marks this process, and then restarts Windows.It is this timing that the difference comes out depending on the presence or absence of CBS.

Whether the update succeeds or fails, CBS checks if the process is complete when restarting the PC after updating.

If the process is marked as "completed", a go -ahead is to be set up to launch Windows as usual.If not, CBS will try to remove the effects of failed updates.

What happens if you turn off your computer during the update?

If you try to update the Windows machine, let's say you frozen.At this time, suppose the user ignores the warning from Windows, "Do not turn off the power," and decided to turn off the PC and try it again later.

In this case, the next time you launch a computer, you should have either of the following two phenomena.

1. CBSが役割を果たし、いつもと同じようにWindowsが起動する。
2. Windowsがクラッシュして起動できない、あるいはブルースクリーンエラー（英語では「Blue Screen of Death：BSOD」と呼ばれます）になる。

In the first case, CBS rewinds the update and withdraws the update, so the computer is back to the same state as before the update.Therefore, Windows starts as usual.

In the second case, CBS failed to rewind the update for some reason, so Windows could not be launched.

In theory, even if an unexpected power source occurs, CBS should have saved the OS.But this does not always work.

A major OS file is required for Windows to work properly.

If these files do not exist or break during the update installation, CBS is not useful.

CBS does not work without such major files of Windows.

For that reason, during the update, Windows warns that "do not turn off your computer."Users don't know when Windows has updated major files.

So, while Windows is installing an update, the conclusion is that you should never turn off your computer.

If the power is turned off without the warning, the main files of the OS may be missing and Windows may not start up.

That said, even if the power is turned off during the update or the power is turned off for unexpected reasons, it is quite likely that CBS will save the pinch.

And even if CBS doesn't help, uninstalling the update should be able to manually repair Windows.

Even if Windows does not rise after the update fails, and only a screen (blank screen) is displayed, it is possible to regain user data.However, you have to be prepared for a little time to collect data.

How to deal with the update failed and an empty screen is displayed

As described so far, if the update is not properly installed, BSOD or blank screen may be displayed.

BSOD can solve the problem relatively easily via trouble shooting.However, in the latter case, a hard drive must be taken out to collect user data.

So, if you become a blank screen, remove the drive you are using for the storage, connect it to another machine as an external drive, and copy the data to this machine.

Next, format this external drive, attach it to a PC that is no longer launched, and install Windows from scratch.

What should I do if Windows Update stops working on the way?

First of all, it is important not to panic.Calm down and restart your computer.

When the CBS reverses all changes and the Windows stands up, remove the remaining Windows Update files.

By deleting the remaining update cache, the update files that have been bad for the machine will be wiped out.

Now you can challenge the update in a safe state.

Conclusion: It is possible to turn off the power during the update, but it is better to avoid it as much as possible.

There is a reason why Windows displays a warning to "do not turn off the computer" during the update.

The essential files for the OS can be broken, and if not, the update process will be delayed, so turning off the power during the update is not a wise action.

However, in cases where Windows Update freezes and does not work, or the installation does not end forever, it is unavoidable to turn off the power.

In this case, even if you restart your computer, in most cases, CBS will rewind the update and revive the Windows version before the update.

As long as the CBS is functioning, you can challenge the update again later.

Original Article: What Happens IF YOURN YOUR PC OFF DURING A Windows Update? By Makeuseof