Windows 10 update stuck at preparing to install

Hi Elgin,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

I suggest you to follow the below steps and check if it helps.

First I suggest you to restart the computer and check if it takes you back to the previous Operating system.

Method 1: Run the  Windows Update troubleshooter and then try to install the updates.

1. Open Control panel.
2. In the search box, type troubleshooter, and then click Troubleshooting.
3. Under System and Security, click Fix problems with Windows Updates.

Method 2: Reset the content of the Catroot2 folder 

1. Type the following commands, and press Enter after each command:

•net stop cryptsvc

•md %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old

•xcopy %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old /s

2.Delete all contents of the catroot2 folder, but do not delete the catroot2 folder.

 3.Type the following command, and then press Enter:

 net start cryptsvc

4.Exit the Command Prompt window.

Method 3: Rename the SoftwareDistribution folder.

 1.Open an administrative Command Prompt window.

 2.Run the following commands, and press Enter after each command:

•Net stop wuauserv

•cd %systemroot%

•Ren SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

•Net start wuauserv

1. Check and disable the Antivirus (AV) program.

2. Check if Drivers are correct and updated

3. Check if there is any external device connected. If they are not necessary to be connected disconnect them from the system.

4. Try to install updates again.

Hope it helps.

Let us know the status of the issue.