Microsoft Windows 10 Setup Stuck At “Preparing To Install”? Here’s The Fix

So, Windows 10 released with all of its pretty new features and you tried to download it, except you couldn’t because you kept getting hit with an error that was a set of numbers nearly entirely too long to remember (80240020). So to help you out, here is a small guide. We are working on a fix to this issue.

Insert the Windows 10 disc or USB to the drive, then reboot your computer and as a normal boot preference select either USB or CD. Do not select the Command Prompt option, but instead select Run as Administrator by right clicking on the option. We do not recommend continuing until you have backed up any and all data on the computer you’re installing Windows on. You will find the options on your screen.

Click the “Format” button. Once clicked, Windows Update should show “Checking for updates…” Select the type of installation you want and click Next.

Another workaround for the issue is using a third party Start menu such as Stardock’s Start10 while we wait for Microsoft engineers to lift the 512 limit placed on the Start menu. When it’s done, restart your computer, keeping your flash drive plugged in. You can usually do this by pressing F12 (or a similar key) at startup, then choosing your flash drive from the list that appears.

Your computer will automatically begin to download the new updates and get you to the new OS. A lot of users have reported that deleting the downloaded files and force-starting the Windows 10 download process fixes the issue, the method for which is detailed below.

Do you have questions about installing Windows 10? Users can also navigate to the particular setting from the system’s Control Panel.

If you cannot access Windows 10 for free because you have licensed Windows 7 or Windows 8, you can also buy a license for Windows 10 installation.