The installation of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) can sometimes take a while, especially during the "Stage 1 of 2" phase. Here are some considerations to help you understand the situation better:
Time Taken for Installation: The time taken for the installation can vary depending on the system specifications, the amount of data being updated, and the speed of the computer. 45 minutes for the "Stage 1 of 2" is not unusual, but it could also be due to specific configurations or any pending updates.
Server Traffic: Heavy traffic on Microsoft servers can sometimes impact the download speed but typically doesn't affect the actual installation process once the update files are downloaded.
Forced Shutdown: It's generally not recommended to force shutdown a system during an update installation as it can lead to system instability, corruption of files, or even a failed update. If the process seems to be stuck, it's advisable to wait a bit longer before considering other actions.
Recommendations
If the update seems to be taking longer than expected, you can try the following steps:
Patience: Sometimes updates can take longer than anticipated, especially when they involve significant changes to the system.
Wait: Allow the update to continue running for a bit longer to see if it progresses to the next stage.
Monitor: Keep an eye on the progress indicator to see if there are any changes.
Safe Mode: If you need to restart the computer, you can try booting into Safe Mode and then restarting the update process.
If you're still concerned or if the update remains stuck for an extended period of time, feel free to provide more details, and I can assist further.