Updates drag due to big downloads, slow disks, antivirus scans, low free space, and long offline install steps—plug in, clear space, and let it finish.
Why Laptop Updates Take So Long: The real bottlenecks
Most platforms follow a similar script: download, stage, restart, and apply. Each step has its own throttle. Network speed controls the start. Disk speed and free space shape the middle. The final stage, the offline phase, swaps critical files while the laptop restarts. That last part often feels longest because you cannot use the machine and the screen may show only a spinner and a percent.
Download size and bandwidth
Large feature releases can run several gigabytes. Monthly quality patches are smaller but still add up, especially if updates were skipped. Windows now uses the Unified Update Platform to send only the parts that changed. Microsoft notes that monthly client downloads can drop by around thirty percent with the Unified Update Platform. On shared Wi-Fi, Windows can also fetch bits from other devices on your local network through Delivery Optimization, which keeps packages signed while easing strain on your internet link.
Disk speed, health, and free space
Staging updates writes and verifies a lot of data. An SSD handles that work far faster than a spinning hard drive. If free space is low, the system spends extra time shuffling files. If the disk shows errors, retries multiply. Encryption adds some overhead because more data must be read and written safely. A drive near capacity or near failure can turn minutes into an hour.
Security scans and background apps
Real-time protection scans each new file as it arrives. That is helpful, yet it adds seconds to every block of data. Apps that auto-start can slow shutdowns and restarts while the system closes them cleanly. Drivers and firmware add a few more minutes when they need updates during the same session. All of that activity competes for CPU and disk time.
The offline phase after a reboot
Once files are staged, the system needs exclusive access to swap parts of itself. That is why the last percent may feel like the longest. Windows applies cumulative changes and rolls back if something fails. macOS uses snapshots of the system volume and verifies them. Both designs trade a bit of speed for safety, which is a fair exchange when core files are on the line.
| Factor | How it adds time | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Slow or busy Wi-Fi | Downloads stall and retry | Move near the router or use Ethernet |
| Large update size | More to download and unpack | Install monthly patches on schedule |
| Old HDD instead of SSD | Sluggish read/write while staging | Upgrade to SSD if the model allows |
| Low free space | Extra copying and cleanup | Free 20–30 GB before major releases |
| Antivirus scans | Scans each new file | Keep one suite; avoid overlaps |
| Thermal throttling | CPU slows when hot | Use a hard surface; clear vents |
| Battery-only install | Power limits kick in | Stay plugged in during updates |
| Driver or firmware steps | Extra reboots and checks | Let the installer finish all phases |
Why Do Windows Updates Take So Long On Laptops
Windows ships two broad types of fixes: monthly quality updates and larger feature releases. Quality updates are cumulative, which means one package includes past fixes. That model improves reliability and recovery, but it makes files chunky. The offline phase also updates the component store, repairs damaged files when needed, and migrates settings. If your laptop runs a full disk check or verifies system files during that window, the clock keeps ticking.
Download size and the UUP shift
Windows moved to a delta-style delivery model. With the Unified Update Platform, the service sends only the changed parts. Microsoft’s own guidance points to smaller client downloads for monthly updates through UUP, which saves time on slower links and limited data plans. On a home network with more than one Windows device, peer sharing through Delivery Optimization cuts repeat downloads without sacrificing integrity.
Storage type and free space
Plenty of laptops still carry older hard drives. During a major release, setup writes gigabytes of data, unpacks them, then cleans up leftovers. An HDD turns each step into a slog. Free space matters too. Windows keeps a copy of the old build for a short grace period in case you roll back. If your drive is tight, the installer spends more time juggling files and clearing room, which stretches the install.
Security, drivers, and firmware
Windows Defender and third-party scanners check each payload. Driver packages get installed, and some vendors bundle firmware updates that trigger a special reboot. The system then hands control to the firmware flasher, which adds minutes while it writes and verifies chips safely. None of that should be interrupted, so patience here protects your hardware.
Network sharing and power settings
Peer sharing helps when several laptops share a connection, but VPNs and captive portals can slow or block that method. Laptops may also reduce performance on battery to protect cells from sudden spikes. Plugged-in updates usually finish sooner and avoid surprise sleep during critical steps.
Do macOS Laptop Updates Take Long Too
On a Mac, updates follow a similar arc: download, prepare, and restart. During preparation, the system builds an APFS snapshot and readies the signed system volume. After the reboot, the Mac applies changes and verifies them before handing the desktop back. This layout keeps user data separate from core files and makes rollbacks safer, yet it adds minutes to the restart step. Apple’s guide on how to update macOS on Mac walks through the flow and shows where to manage automatic installs.
Big releases versus small patches
Some updates patch only Safari or a small framework. Others rebuild large parts of the system volume. Apple also delivers Rapid Security Responses that carry small security fixes between regular releases. These quick patches touch less of the system and download fast, so they tend to finish with a short reboot and little wait.
Why download speed still rules
macOS caches parts of installers and resumes if a link drops, but a slow connection drags everything out. If a MacBook joins a school or office network, content filters and local caching servers can change the pace. At home, switching from 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi to 5 GHz often cuts stalls. A simple Ethernet adapter can turn an hour into minutes on big releases.
Taking Control: Safe ways to cut update time
You can shave minutes without risking data. The steps below keep things stable while removing common roadblocks that slow updates on laptops.
Before you start
- Back up. Time is one thing, files are another. A backup turns a rare failure into a short detour.
- Plug in power. Laptops slow down when they sip from a battery. Power stops dips and surprise sleep.
- Free space. Clear old downloads, video cache, and the recycle bin. Aim for at least 20–30 GB free for a major release.
- Pause heavy apps. Cloud drives, virtual machines, and game launchers chew CPU and disk while updates run.
During the download
- Use a faster link. If possible, sit near the router or connect with Ethernet.
- Let Windows share updates across your home network through Delivery Optimization when several PCs are present.
- On a Mac, stay on a stable SSID and avoid VPNs unless required by work or school.
During the reboot
- Do not force power off. That risks corruption. If the screen seems idle, give it time.
- Keep the lid open. Some models sleep when the lid closes, even while plugged in.
- Leave peripherals alone. Unplugging a dock mid-update can cause driver errors.
| Setting | Where to change | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Allow local peer downloads | Windows Update → Advanced options → Delivery Optimization | Cuts repeated downloads across your home network |
| Schedule installs | Windows Update or macOS Software Update | Run updates overnight when you do not need the laptop |
| Keep one antivirus | Windows Security or vendor console | Prevents double scanning that slows every file |
| Enable automatic small security fixes | macOS Software Update → Automatic updates | Applies Rapid Security Responses with a short reboot |
| Turn on metered connection only when needed | Wi-Fi network settings | Stops surprise downloads on mobile data without blocking planned sessions |
When an update feels stuck
Long pauses do not always mean failure. A spinning circle can hide disk checks, registry repairs, or driver migrations. If the laptop shows activity lights or the drive LED blinks, wait. For Windows, a stall that drags past a couple of hours can point to a driver clash or storage issue. Try a clean boot, disconnect extra USB devices, and retry. For macOS, safe mode clears caches, and a reset of NVRAM or SMC helps rare firmware quirks. If rollbacks repeat, back up and move to a repair plan rather than forcing power cycles.
Clear space and check the disk
If an update rolls back, the usual cause is space or disk health. Clear large temp folders and retry. Run a full file system check. On Windows, run the disk checker and system file tools. On macOS, use Disk Utility and run First Aid on the system volume. If errors return, replace the drive before trying again, especially if it is an older hard disk.
Check drivers and firmware
Outdated storage and Wi-Fi drivers slow the process and cause rollbacks. Fetch current packages from the laptop maker before a major release. Many vendors also ship new firmware that expects a newer driver stack. Update those pieces first, then move on to the big install. Keep the charger connected while firmware flashes to avoid power dips.
Smart habits that keep updates short
Routine care pays off. Install the smaller monthly patches on time so big jumps are rare. Keep a cushion of free space so the installer does not need to juggle files. Close heavy apps before rebooting. Replace an aging hard drive with a solid-state model if your laptop supports it. Plan feature releases for a night or a lunch break, not the middle of a work sprint. These simple habits take minutes now and save much more later.
Why some updates seem faster than others
Patch type matters. Small browser or security fixes touch only a few pieces of the system. A feature release changes many moving parts and runs more checks, so it takes longer. Windows keeps trimming the process with UUP and better background work. Apple trims wait time with Rapid Security Responses and prep steps in Software Update. When these designs line up with a healthy drive, steady power, and a solid link, the minutes drop and the whole thing feels smoother.
Want the quick wins
Here is the short checklist. Plug in, clear space, close heavy apps, use a strong link, keep one antivirus, and let the installer finish. On Windows, take advantage of the Delivery Optimization feature when several PCs share a connection. Expect smaller monthly downloads thanks to the Unified Update Platform. On a Mac, follow Apple’s steps to update macOS on Mac and let Rapid Security Responses install when offered. Do those things, and the next progress bar will feel a lot less painful.