P10 - Windows 8.1 Stuck in a loop

I created a Windows 8.1 virtual machine and started it. It has now been trying to finish it's opening for the last 10 hours. I'm thinking it would be a good idea if I open the Settings and enabled on the optimization settings page the 'FREE SPACE: Real time disk optimization box'. While The Windows 8.1 virtual machine is trying to open, this FREE SPACE box is greyed out and there is a yellow strip at the top of the page stating that the virtual machine should be closed down, and then the FREE SPACE box would be available to me. Trouble is, this is not until the Virtual machine has been fully opened - not much chance of that at the moment! That is where I am at - in a loop with no where to go. Any help appreciated.