diff --git a/cmd/windows_exporter/0_service.go b/cmd/windows_exporter/0_service.go
index 4a76561f..cd931ba9 100644
--- a/cmd/windows_exporter/0_service.go
+++ b/cmd/windows_exporter/0_service.go
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import (
 	"log/slog"
 	"os"
 	"strings"
+	"sync"
 	"unsafe"
 
 	"golang.org/x/sys/windows"
@@ -40,8 +41,9 @@ var (
 	// the exit code is sent to the service manager as well.
 	exitCodeCh = make(chan int, 1)
 
-	// stopCh is a channel to send a signal to the service manager that the service is stopping.
-	stopCh = make(chan struct{})
+	// serviceStop is closed when the service manager asks the service to stop.
+	// main cancels the root context then, so startup and the running exporter both observe it.
+	serviceStop = newBroadcast()
 
 	// serviceManagerFinishedCh is a channel to send a signal to the main function that the service manager has stopped the service.
 	serviceManagerFinishedCh = make(chan struct{}, 1)
@@ -76,7 +78,11 @@ var IsService = func() bool {
 
 	defer func() {
 		go func() {
-			err := svc.Run(serviceName, &windowsExporterService{})
+			err := svc.Run(serviceName, &windowsExporterService{
+				stop:       serviceStop,
+				exitCodeCh: exitCodeCh,
+				logEvent:   logToEventToLog,
+			})
 			if err != nil {
 				// https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-collector/pull/9042
 				if !errors.Is(err, windows.ERROR_FAILED_SERVICE_CONTROLLER_CONNECT) {
@@ -99,7 +105,37 @@ var IsService = func() bool {
 	return true
 }()
 
-type windowsExporterService struct{}
+// errServiceStop is the cause of the root context's cancellation when the service manager stops the service.
+var errServiceStop = errors.New("service stop requested")
+
+// broadcast is a channel that is closed once to signal all receivers.
+type broadcast struct {
+	once sync.Once
+	ch   chan struct{}
+}
+
+func newBroadcast() *broadcast {
+	return &broadcast{ch: make(chan struct{})}
+}
+
+// Close closes the channel. Later calls do nothing.
+func (b *broadcast) Close() {
+	b.once.Do(func() { close(b.ch) })
+}
+
+// Done returns the channel that Close closes.
+func (b *broadcast) Done() <-chan struct{} {
+	return b.ch
+}
+
+type windowsExporterService struct {
+	// stop is closed when a stop or shutdown request is received.
+	stop *broadcast
+	// exitCodeCh receives the exit code of the main function.
+	exitCodeCh <-chan int
+	// logEvent writes to the event log.
+	logEvent func(eType uint16, msg string) error
+}
 
 // Execute is the entry point for the Windows service manager.
 func (s *windowsExporterService) Execute(_ []string, r <-chan svc.ChangeRequest, changes chan<- svc.Status) (bool, uint32) {
@@ -109,11 +145,11 @@ func (s *windowsExporterService) Execute(_ []string, r <-chan svc.ChangeRequest,
 
 	for {
 		select {
-		case exitCodeCh := <-exitCodeCh:
+		case exitCode := <-s.exitCodeCh:
 			// Stop the service if an exit code from the main function is received.
 			changes <- svc.Status{State: svc.StopPending}
 
-			return true, uint32(exitCodeCh)
+			return serviceExitCode(exitCode)
 		case c := <-r:
 			// Handle the service control request.
 			switch c.Cmd {
@@ -121,22 +157,29 @@ func (s *windowsExporterService) Execute(_ []string, r <-chan svc.ChangeRequest,
 				changes <- c.CurrentStatus
 			case svc.Stop, svc.Shutdown:
 				// Stop the service if a stop or shutdown request is received.
-				_ = logToEventToLog(windows.EVENTLOG_INFORMATION_TYPE, "service stop received")
+				_ = s.logEvent(windows.EVENTLOG_INFORMATION_TYPE, "service stop received")
 
 				changes <- svc.Status{State: svc.StopPending}
 
-				// Send a signal to the main function to stop the service.
-				stopCh <- struct{}{}
+				// Signal the main function to stop. This never blocks,
+				// even if the main function is still starting or has already returned.
+				s.stop.Close()
 
 				// Wait for the main function to stop the service.
-				return false, uint32(<-exitCodeCh)
+				return serviceExitCode(<-s.exitCodeCh)
 			default:
-				_ = logToEventToLog(windows.EVENTLOG_ERROR_TYPE, fmt.Sprintf("unexpected control request #%d", c))
+				_ = s.logEvent(windows.EVENTLOG_ERROR_TYPE, fmt.Sprintf("unexpected control request #%d", c))
 			}
 		}
 	}
 }
 
+// serviceExitCode converts an exit code of the main function into the return values of [svc.Handler.Execute].
+// A non-zero exit code is reported as a service-specific exit code.
+func serviceExitCode(exitCode int) (bool, uint32) {
+	return exitCode != 0, uint32(exitCode)
+}
+
 // logToEventToLog logs a message to the Windows event log.
 func logToEventToLog(eType uint16, msg string) error {
 	eventLog, err := eventlog.Open(serviceName)
diff --git a/cmd/windows_exporter/main.go b/cmd/windows_exporter/main.go
index 1b3220e4..bc9fbf33 100644
--- a/cmd/windows_exporter/main.go
+++ b/cmd/windows_exporter/main.go
@@ -48,11 +48,27 @@ import (
 	"golang.org/x/sys/windows"
 )
 
+// collectionCloseTimeout bounds how long the exporter waits for the collectors to close on shutdown.
+const collectionCloseTimeout = 10 * time.Second
+
 func main() {
 	ctx, stop := signal.NotifyContext(context.Background(), os.Interrupt, os.Kill)
 
+	// A stop request from the service manager cancels the root context,
+	// so that it aborts the startup as well as the running exporter.
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancelCause(ctx)
+
+	go func() {
+		select {
+		case <-serviceStop.Done():
+			cancel(errServiceStop)
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+		}
+	}()
+
 	exitCode := run(ctx, os.Args[1:])
 
+	cancel(nil)
 	stop()
 
 	// If we are running as a service, we need to signal the service control manager that we are done.
@@ -178,12 +194,25 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, args []string) int {
 		return 1
 	}
 
+	var disabledCollectorList []string
 	if *disabledCollectors != "" {
-		collectors.Disable(slices.Compact(strings.Split(*disabledCollectors, ",")))
+		disabledCollectorList = slices.Compact(strings.Split(*disabledCollectors, ","))
+		collectors.Disable(disabledCollectorList)
 	}
 
+	// Close the collectors on every return from here on. On a regular shutdown, this runs after the HTTP server has shut down.
+	defer closeCollection(ctx, logger, collectors)
+
 	// Initialize collectors before loading
 	if err = collectors.Build(ctx, logger); err != nil {
+		if ctx.Err() != nil {
+			logger.LogAttrs(ctx, slog.LevelInfo, "windows_exporter startup aborted",
+				slog.Any("reason", context.Cause(ctx)),
+			)
+
+			return 0
+		}
+
 		for _, err := range utils.SplitError(err) {
 			logger.LogAttrs(ctx, slog.LevelError, "couldn't initialize collector",
 				slog.Any("err", err),
@@ -193,7 +222,7 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, args []string) int {
 		return 1
 	}
 
-	logger.InfoContext(ctx, "Enabled collectors: "+strings.Join(enabledCollectorList, ", "))
+	logger.InfoContext(ctx, "Enabled collectors: "+strings.Join(effectiveCollectors(enabledCollectorList, disabledCollectorList), ", "))
 
 	mux := http.NewServeMux()
 	mux.Handle("GET /health", httphandler.NewHealthHandler())
@@ -233,9 +262,11 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, args []string) int {
 
 	select {
 	case <-ctx.Done():
-		logger.LogAttrs(ctx, slog.LevelInfo, "Shutting down windows_exporter via kill signal")
-	case <-stopCh:
-		logger.LogAttrs(ctx, slog.LevelInfo, "Shutting down windows_exporter via service control")
+		if errors.Is(context.Cause(ctx), errServiceStop) {
+			logger.LogAttrs(ctx, slog.LevelInfo, "Shutting down windows_exporter via service control")
+		} else {
+			logger.LogAttrs(ctx, slog.LevelInfo, "Shutting down windows_exporter via kill signal")
+		}
 	case err := <-errCh:
 		if err != nil {
 			logger.LogAttrs(ctx, slog.LevelError, "Failed to start windows_exporter",
@@ -321,6 +352,42 @@ func setPriorityWindows(ctx context.Context, logger *slog.Logger, pid int, prior
 	return nil
 }
 
+// closeCollection closes the collectors. It waits at most collectionCloseTimeout,
+// so that a collector that doesn't return can't block the shutdown.
+func closeCollection(ctx context.Context, logger *slog.Logger, collection *collector.Collection) {
+	errCh := make(chan error, 1)
+
+	//nolint:contextcheck // Close has no context parameter. The select below bounds the wait instead.
+	go func() {
+		errCh <- collection.Close()
+	}()
+
+	timer := time.NewTimer(collectionCloseTimeout)
+	defer timer.Stop()
+
+	select {
+	case err := <-errCh:
+		if err == nil {
+			return
+		}
+
+		for _, err := range utils.SplitError(err) {
+			logger.LogAttrs(ctx, slog.LevelWarn, "couldn't close collector",
+				slog.Any("err", err),
+			)
+		}
+	case <-timer.C:
+		logger.LogAttrs(ctx, slog.LevelWarn, fmt.Sprintf("collectors didn't close within %s", collectionCloseTimeout))
+	}
+}
+
+// effectiveCollectors returns the sorted list of enabled collectors without the disabled ones.
+func effectiveCollectors(enabled, disabled []string) []string {
+	return slices.DeleteFunc(slices.Compact(slices.Sorted(slices.Values(enabled))), func(name string) bool {
+		return slices.Contains(disabled, name)
+	})
+}
+
 func expandEnabledCollectors(enabled string) []string {
 	expanded := strings.ReplaceAll(enabled, "[defaults]", collector.DefaultCollectors)
 
diff --git a/cmd/windows_exporter/service_test.go b/cmd/windows_exporter/service_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4a6122df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/windows_exporter/service_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,141 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+//
+// Copyright The Prometheus Authors
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+// http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+//go:build windows
+
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	"golang.org/x/sys/windows/svc"
+)
+
+func TestServiceExecuteStop(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		name                string
+		exitCode            int
+		wantServiceSpecific bool
+		wantExitCode        uint32
+	}{
+		{name: "clean stop", exitCode: 0},
+		// The main function fails, for example because the stop aborted its startup.
+		{name: "failed stop", exitCode: 1, wantServiceSpecific: true, wantExitCode: 1},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			t.Parallel()
+
+			exitCodeCh := make(chan int, 1)
+			service := &windowsExporterService{
+				stop:       newBroadcast(),
+				exitCodeCh: exitCodeCh,
+				logEvent:   func(uint16, string) error { return nil },
+			}
+
+			requests := make(chan svc.ChangeRequest)
+			changes := make(chan svc.Status, 10)
+
+			type result struct {
+				serviceSpecific bool
+				exitCode        uint32
+			}
+
+			done := make(chan result, 1)
+
+			go func() {
+				serviceSpecific, exitCode := service.Execute(nil, requests, changes)
+				done <- result{serviceSpecific, exitCode}
+			}()
+
+			requests <- svc.ChangeRequest{Cmd: svc.Stop}
+
+			// Execute signals the stop without waiting for the main function to receive it.
+			select {
+			case <-service.stop.Done():
+			case <-time.After(10 * time.Second):
+				t.Fatal("Execute didn't signal the stop")
+			}
+
+			exitCodeCh <- tc.exitCode
+
+			select {
+			case got := <-done:
+				require.Equal(t, result{tc.wantServiceSpecific, tc.wantExitCode}, got)
+			case <-time.After(10 * time.Second):
+				t.Fatal("Execute didn't return the exit code")
+			}
+
+			require.Equal(t, svc.StartPending, (<-changes).State)
+			require.Equal(t, svc.Running, (<-changes).State)
+			require.Equal(t, svc.StopPending, (<-changes).State)
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBroadcast(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	b := newBroadcast()
+
+	select {
+	case <-b.Done():
+		t.Fatal("broadcast is done before Close")
+	default:
+	}
+
+	b.Close()
+	b.Close()
+
+	<-b.Done()
+}
+
+func TestRunStartupCanceled(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancelCause(t.Context())
+	cancel(errServiceStop)
+
+	exitCodeCh := make(chan int, 1)
+
+	go func() {
+		exitCodeCh <- run(ctx, []string{"--web.listen-address=127.0.0.1:0"})
+	}()
+
+	select {
+	case exitCode := <-exitCodeCh:
+		// A stop during startup is a clean stop.
+		require.Equal(t, 0, exitCode)
+	case <-time.After(30 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("run didn't return after its context was canceled")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEffectiveCollectors(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	require.Equal(t,
+		[]string{"cpu", "memory", "os"},
+		effectiveCollectors([]string{"os", "cpu", "net", "memory", "cpu"}, []string{"net", "unknown"}),
+	)
+	require.Equal(t,
+		[]string{"cpu", "net"},
+		effectiveCollectors([]string{"net", "cpu"}, nil),
+	)
+}
diff --git a/internal/httphandler/httphandler.go b/internal/httphandler/httphandler.go
index d0865deb..da1d3936 100644
--- a/internal/httphandler/httphandler.go
+++ b/internal/httphandler/httphandler.go
@@ -18,8 +18,10 @@
 package httphandler
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"log/slog"
+	"math"
 	"net/http"
 	"strconv"
 	"time"
@@ -34,7 +36,15 @@ import (
 // Interface guard.
 var _ http.Handler = (*MetricsHTTPHandler)(nil)
 
-const defaultScrapeTimeout = 10.0
+const (
+	// defaultScrapeTimeout applies if the request has no valid X-Prometheus-Scrape-Timeout-Seconds header.
+	defaultScrapeTimeout = 10 * time.Second
+	// minScrapeTimeout is the smallest time given to the collectors.
+	minScrapeTimeout = 10 * time.Millisecond
+	// maxScrapeTimeout is the largest time given to the collectors.
+	// The exporter's HTTP server ends responses after 5 minutes anyway.
+	maxScrapeTimeout = 5 * time.Minute
+)
 
 type MetricsHTTPHandler struct {
 	metricCollectors *collector.Collection
@@ -42,8 +52,8 @@ type MetricsHTTPHandler struct {
 	// the exporter itself.
 	exporterMetricsRegistry *prometheus.Registry
 
-	logger  *slog.Logger
-	options Options
+	logger        *slog.Logger
+	timeoutMargin time.Duration
 }
 
 type Options struct {
@@ -62,7 +72,7 @@ func New(logger *slog.Logger, metricCollectors *collector.Collection, options *O
 	handler := &MetricsHTTPHandler{
 		metricCollectors: metricCollectors,
 		logger:           logger,
-		options:          *options,
+		timeoutMargin:    toDuration(options.TimeoutMargin),
 	}
 
 	if !options.DisableExporterMetrics {
@@ -82,9 +92,10 @@ func (c *MetricsHTTPHandler) ServeHTTP(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		slog.String("remote", r.RemoteAddr),
 	)
 
+	// The scrape's deadline starts now, so time spent waiting for an earlier scrape counts against it.
 	scrapeTimeout := c.getScrapeTimeout(logger, r)
 
-	handler, err := c.handlerFactory(logger, scrapeTimeout, r.URL.Query()["collect[]"])
+	handler, err := c.handlerFactory(r.Context(), logger, scrapeTimeout, r.URL.Query()["collect[]"])
 	if err != nil {
 		logger.WarnContext(r.Context(), "Couldn't create filtered metrics handler",
 			slog.Any("err", err),
@@ -99,32 +110,51 @@ func (c *MetricsHTTPHandler) ServeHTTP(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	handler.ServeHTTP(w, r)
 }
 
+// getScrapeTimeout returns the time the collectors get for this request.
+// It is the client's X-Prometheus-Scrape-Timeout-Seconds minus the timeout margin,
+// but the margin takes at most half of the client's timeout.
+// The result is between minScrapeTimeout and maxScrapeTimeout.
 func (c *MetricsHTTPHandler) getScrapeTimeout(logger *slog.Logger, r *http.Request) time.Duration {
-	var timeoutSeconds float64
+	timeout := defaultScrapeTimeout
 
 	if v := r.Header.Get("X-Prometheus-Scrape-Timeout-Seconds"); v != "" {
-		var err error
+		seconds, err := strconv.ParseFloat(v, 64)
 
-		timeoutSeconds, err = strconv.ParseFloat(v, 64)
-		if err != nil {
-			logger.WarnContext(r.Context(), fmt.Sprintf("Couldn't parse X-Prometheus-Scrape-Timeout-Seconds: %q. Defaulting timeout to %f", v, defaultScrapeTimeout))
+		switch {
+		case math.IsInf(seconds, 1):
+			// Includes values too large for a float64, which ParseFloat reports as an error.
+			timeout = maxScrapeTimeout
+		case err != nil, math.IsNaN(seconds), seconds <= 0:
+			logger.WarnContext(r.Context(), fmt.Sprintf("Invalid X-Prometheus-Scrape-Timeout-Seconds: %q. Defaulting timeout to %s", v, defaultScrapeTimeout))
+		default:
+			timeout = toDuration(seconds)
 		}
 	}
 
-	if timeoutSeconds == 0 {
-		timeoutSeconds = defaultScrapeTimeout
-	}
+	timeout = max(timeout-c.timeoutMargin, timeout/2)
 
-	timeoutSeconds -= c.options.TimeoutMargin
-
-	return time.Duration(timeoutSeconds*1e9) * time.Nanosecond
+	return min(max(timeout, minScrapeTimeout), maxScrapeTimeout)
 }
 
-func (c *MetricsHTTPHandler) handlerFactory(logger *slog.Logger, scrapeTimeout time.Duration, requestedCollectors []string) (http.Handler, error) {
+// toDuration converts seconds to a duration between 0 and maxScrapeTimeout.
+// NaN and negative values become 0.
+func toDuration(seconds float64) time.Duration {
+	if math.IsNaN(seconds) || seconds <= 0 {
+		return 0
+	}
+
+	if seconds >= maxScrapeTimeout.Seconds() {
+		return maxScrapeTimeout
+	}
+
+	return time.Duration(seconds * float64(time.Second))
+}
+
+func (c *MetricsHTTPHandler) handlerFactory(ctx context.Context, logger *slog.Logger, scrapeTimeout time.Duration, requestedCollectors []string) (http.Handler, error) {
 	reg := prometheus.NewRegistry()
 	reg.MustRegister(version.NewCollector("windows_exporter"))
 
-	collectionHandler, err := c.metricCollectors.NewHandler(scrapeTimeout, c.logger, requestedCollectors)
+	collectionHandler, err := c.metricCollectors.NewHandlerWithContext(ctx, scrapeTimeout, logger, requestedCollectors)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("couldn't create collector handler: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -133,17 +163,17 @@ func (c *MetricsHTTPHandler) handlerFactory(logger *slog.Logger, scrapeTimeout t
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("couldn't register Prometheus collector: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	// Scrapes are serialized by the collection, so the handler doesn't limit requests in flight.
 	var regHandler http.Handler
 	if c.exporterMetricsRegistry != nil {
 		regHandler = promhttp.HandlerFor(
 			prometheus.Gatherers{c.exporterMetricsRegistry, reg},
 			promhttp.HandlerOpts{
-				ErrorLog:            slog.NewLogLogger(logger.Handler(), slog.LevelError),
-				ErrorHandling:       promhttp.ContinueOnError,
-				MaxRequestsInFlight: 1,
-				Registry:            c.exporterMetricsRegistry,
-				EnableOpenMetrics:   true,
-				ProcessStartTime:    c.metricCollectors.GetStartTime(),
+				ErrorLog:          slog.NewLogLogger(logger.Handler(), slog.LevelError),
+				ErrorHandling:     promhttp.ContinueOnError,
+				Registry:          c.exporterMetricsRegistry,
+				EnableOpenMetrics: true,
+				ProcessStartTime:  c.metricCollectors.GetStartTime(),
 			},
 		)
 
@@ -156,11 +186,10 @@ func (c *MetricsHTTPHandler) handlerFactory(logger *slog.Logger, scrapeTimeout t
 		regHandler = promhttp.HandlerFor(
 			reg,
 			promhttp.HandlerOpts{
-				ErrorLog:            slog.NewLogLogger(logger.Handler(), slog.LevelError),
-				ErrorHandling:       promhttp.ContinueOnError,
-				MaxRequestsInFlight: 1,
-				EnableOpenMetrics:   true,
-				ProcessStartTime:    c.metricCollectors.GetStartTime(),
+				ErrorLog:          slog.NewLogLogger(logger.Handler(), slog.LevelError),
+				ErrorHandling:     promhttp.ContinueOnError,
+				EnableOpenMetrics: true,
+				ProcessStartTime:  c.metricCollectors.GetStartTime(),
 			},
 		)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/httphandler/httphandler_test.go b/internal/httphandler/httphandler_test.go
index 3f1be0bf..b3d64140 100644
--- a/internal/httphandler/httphandler_test.go
+++ b/internal/httphandler/httphandler_test.go
@@ -18,8 +18,10 @@
 package httphandler_test
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"log/slog"
+	"math"
 	"net/http"
 	"net/http/httptest"
 	"testing"
@@ -154,6 +156,87 @@ func TestMetricsHTTPHandlerScrapeTimeout(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestMetricsHTTPHandlerScrapeBudget(t *testing.T) {
+	const maxScrapeTimeout = 5 * time.Minute
+
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		name   string
+		header string
+		margin float64
+		want   time.Duration
+	}{
+		{name: "missing header", margin: 0.5, want: 9500 * time.Millisecond},
+		{name: "invalid header", header: "invalid", margin: 0.5, want: 9500 * time.Millisecond},
+		{name: "zero", header: "0", margin: 0.5, want: 9500 * time.Millisecond},
+		{name: "negative", header: "-1", margin: 0.5, want: 9500 * time.Millisecond},
+		{name: "negative infinity", header: "-Inf", margin: 0.5, want: 9500 * time.Millisecond},
+		{name: "NaN", header: "NaN", margin: 0.5, want: 9500 * time.Millisecond},
+		{name: "infinity", header: "+Inf", margin: 0.5, want: maxScrapeTimeout - 500*time.Millisecond},
+		{name: "out of float range", header: "1e400", margin: 0.5, want: maxScrapeTimeout - 500*time.Millisecond},
+		{name: "huge", header: "1e12", margin: 0.5, want: maxScrapeTimeout - 500*time.Millisecond},
+		{name: "long", header: "120", margin: 0.5, want: 119500 * time.Millisecond},
+		{name: "regular", header: "2", margin: 0.5, want: 1500 * time.Millisecond},
+		{name: "margin larger than timeout", header: "0.3", margin: 0.5, want: 150 * time.Millisecond},
+		{name: "margin takes at most half", header: "0.8", margin: 0.5, want: 400 * time.Millisecond},
+		{name: "tiny", header: "0.000001", margin: 0.5, want: 10 * time.Millisecond},
+		{name: "no margin", header: "2", want: 2 * time.Second},
+		{name: "negative margin", header: "2", margin: -1, want: 2 * time.Second},
+		{name: "NaN margin", header: "2", margin: math.NaN(), want: 2 * time.Second},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			// Synthetic time doesn't pass between the request and the collector's call.
+			synctest.Test(t, func(t *testing.T) {
+				test := &budgetCollector{}
+				collection := collector.New(collector.Map{"test": test})
+				handler := httphandler.New(slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler), collection, &httphandler.Options{DisableExporterMetrics: true, TimeoutMargin: tc.margin})
+				request := httptest.NewRequestWithContext(t.Context(), http.MethodGet, "/metrics", nil)
+
+				if tc.header != "" {
+					request.Header.Set("X-Prometheus-Scrape-Timeout-Seconds", tc.header)
+				}
+
+				response := httptest.NewRecorder()
+				handler.ServeHTTP(response, request)
+
+				require.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, response.Code)
+				require.Contains(t, response.Body.String(), `windows_exporter_collector_success{collector="test"} 1`)
+				require.Equal(t, tc.want, test.budget)
+			})
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMetricsHTTPHandlerCanceledRequest(t *testing.T) {
+	test := &budgetCollector{}
+	collection := collector.New(collector.Map{"test": test})
+	handler := httphandler.New(slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler), collection, &httphandler.Options{DisableExporterMetrics: true})
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(t.Context())
+	cancel()
+
+	response := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	handler.ServeHTTP(response, httptest.NewRequestWithContext(ctx, http.MethodGet, "/metrics", nil))
+
+	// The client is gone, so the collectors don't run.
+	require.False(t, test.called)
+}
+
+// budgetCollector records the time it is given.
+type budgetCollector struct {
+	called bool
+	budget time.Duration
+}
+
+func (c *budgetCollector) GetName() string                           { return "test" }
+func (c *budgetCollector) Build(_ *slog.Logger, _ *mi.Session) error { return nil }
+func (c *budgetCollector) Close() error                              { return nil }
+func (c *budgetCollector) Collect(_ chan<- prometheus.Metric, maxScrapeDuration time.Duration) error {
+	c.called = true
+	c.budget = maxScrapeDuration
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 type testCollector struct {
 	name       string
 	err        error
diff --git a/pkg/collector/collect.go b/pkg/collector/collect.go
index 17272047..3ff38953 100644
--- a/pkg/collector/collect.go
+++ b/pkg/collector/collect.go
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ import (
 	"log/slog"
 	"runtime/debug"
 	"sync"
-	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/prometheus-community/windows_exporter/internal/pdh"
@@ -41,17 +40,42 @@ type collectorStatus struct {
 type collectorStatusCode int
 
 const (
+	// pending means the collector timed out, or was skipped because an earlier call is still running.
 	pending collectorStatusCode = iota
 	success
 	failed
+	// unavailable means the collector was skipped because its Build failed or the collection is closed.
+	unavailable
 )
 
-func (c *Collection) collectAll(ch chan<- prometheus.Metric, logger *slog.Logger, maxScrapeDuration time.Duration) {
+// collectAll runs all collectors once. It returns when ctx is done, even if collectors are still running.
+// ctx must have a deadline.
+func (c *Collection) collectAll(ctx context.Context, ch chan<- prometheus.Metric, logger *slog.Logger) {
 	collectorStartTime := time.Now()
 
+	if err := acquireScrapeSlot(ctx); err != nil {
+		level := slog.LevelWarn
+		if errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) {
+			level = slog.LevelDebug
+		}
+
+		logger.LogAttrs(ctx, level, "scrape not started, because an earlier scrape was still running",
+			slog.Any("err", err),
+		)
+
+		for name := range c.collectors {
+			c.sendCollectorStatus(ch, collectorStatus{name: name, statusCode: pending})
+		}
+
+		c.sendScrapeDuration(ch, collectorStartTime)
+
+		return
+	}
+
+	defer releaseScrapeSlot()
+
 	// WaitGroup to wait for all collectors to finish
 	wg := sync.WaitGroup{}
-	wg.Add(len(c.collectors))
 
 	// Using a channel to collect the status of each collector
 	// A channel is safe to use concurrently while a map is not
@@ -60,14 +84,12 @@ func (c *Collection) collectAll(ch chan<- prometheus.Metric, logger *slog.Logger
 	// Execute all collectors concurrently
 	// timeout handling is done in the execute function
 	for name, metricsCollector := range c.collectors {
-		go func(name string, metricsCollector Collector) {
-			defer wg.Done()
-
+		wg.Go(func() {
 			collectorStatusCh <- collectorStatus{
 				name:       name,
-				statusCode: c.collectCollector(ch, logger, name, metricsCollector, maxScrapeDuration),
+				statusCode: c.collectCollector(ctx, ch, logger, name, metricsCollector),
 			}
-		}(name, metricsCollector)
+		})
 	}
 
 	// Wait for all collectors to finish
@@ -77,30 +99,38 @@ func (c *Collection) collectAll(ch chan<- prometheus.Metric, logger *slog.Logger
 	close(collectorStatusCh)
 
 	for status := range collectorStatusCh {
-		var successValue, timeoutValue float64
-		if status.statusCode == pending {
-			timeoutValue = 1.0
-		}
-
-		if status.statusCode == success {
-			successValue = 1.0
-		}
-
-		ch <- prometheus.MustNewConstMetric(
-			c.collectorScrapeSuccessDesc,
-			prometheus.GaugeValue,
-			successValue,
-			status.name,
-		)
-
-		ch <- prometheus.MustNewConstMetric(
-			c.collectorScrapeTimeoutDesc,
-			prometheus.GaugeValue,
-			timeoutValue,
-			status.name,
-		)
+		c.sendCollectorStatus(ch, status)
 	}
 
+	c.sendScrapeDuration(ch, collectorStartTime)
+}
+
+func (c *Collection) sendCollectorStatus(ch chan<- prometheus.Metric, status collectorStatus) {
+	var successValue, timeoutValue float64
+	if status.statusCode == pending {
+		timeoutValue = 1.0
+	}
+
+	if status.statusCode == success {
+		successValue = 1.0
+	}
+
+	ch <- prometheus.MustNewConstMetric(
+		c.collectorScrapeSuccessDesc,
+		prometheus.GaugeValue,
+		successValue,
+		status.name,
+	)
+
+	ch <- prometheus.MustNewConstMetric(
+		c.collectorScrapeTimeoutDesc,
+		prometheus.GaugeValue,
+		timeoutValue,
+		status.name,
+	)
+}
+
+func (c *Collection) sendScrapeDuration(ch chan<- prometheus.Metric, collectorStartTime time.Time) {
 	ch <- prometheus.MustNewConstMetric(
 		c.scrapeDurationDesc,
 		prometheus.GaugeValue,
@@ -108,105 +138,118 @@ func (c *Collection) collectAll(ch chan<- prometheus.Metric, logger *slog.Logger
 	)
 }
 
-func (c *Collection) collectCollector(ch chan<- prometheus.Metric, logger *slog.Logger, name string, collector Collector, maxScrapeDuration time.Duration) collectorStatusCode {
-	var (
-		err        error
-		numMetrics int
-		duration   time.Duration
-		timeout    atomic.Bool
-	)
+// collectCollector runs one collector and forwards its metrics to ch until ctx is done.
+//
+// Only one Collect call runs per collector instance. A call that outlives ctx keeps running in the
+// background; its late metrics are dropped, and later scrapes skip the collector until the call returns.
+func (c *Collection) collectCollector(ctx context.Context, ch chan<- prometheus.Metric, logger *slog.Logger, name string, collector Collector) collectorStatusCode {
+	deadline, _ := ctx.Deadline()
+
+	maxScrapeDuration := time.Until(deadline)
+	if ctx.Err() != nil || maxScrapeDuration <= 0 {
+		return pending
+	}
+
+	state := c.state.collector(name)
+
+	switch state.tryCollect() {
+	case started:
+	case notAvailable:
+		logger.LogAttrs(ctx, slog.LevelDebug, fmt.Sprintf("collector %s skipped, because it isn't initialized", name))
+
+		return unavailable
+	case busy:
+		level := slog.LevelDebug
+		if state.logBusy() {
+			level = slog.LevelWarn
+		}
+
+		logger.LogAttrs(ctx, level, fmt.Sprintf("collector %s skipped, because its call from an earlier scrape is still running", name))
+
+		return pending
+	}
 
 	// bufCh is a buffer channel to store the metrics
 	// This is needed because once timeout is reached, the prometheus registry channel is closed.
 	bufCh := make(chan prometheus.Metric, 1000)
 	errCh := make(chan error, 1)
 
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), maxScrapeDuration)
-	defer cancel()
+	t := time.Now()
 
-	// execute the collector
+	// execute the collector. The goroutine owns the collector's slot until Collect returns.
 	go func() {
-		defer func() {
-			if r := recover(); r != nil {
-				errCh <- fmt.Errorf("panic in collector %s: %v. stack: %s", name, r,
-					string(debug.Stack()),
+		// Release the slot before closing bufCh, so the next scrape never sees this call as running.
+		defer close(bufCh)
+		defer state.release()
+
+		errCh <- collect(name, collector, bufCh, maxScrapeDuration)
+	}()
+
+	numMetrics := 0
+
+	// Pass metrics to the prometheus registry until the collector finishes or the scrape ends.
+	// This is the only goroutine that writes to ch, and it stops before collectCollector returns.
+	for {
+		select {
+		case m, ok := <-bufCh:
+			if ok {
+				ch <- m
+
+				numMetrics++
+
+				continue
+			}
+
+			duration := time.Since(t)
+			c.sendCollectorDuration(ch, name, duration)
+
+			return logCollectorResult(ctx, logger, name, <-errCh, duration, numMetrics)
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			// Drain late metrics, so that Collect doesn't block on a full buffer.
+			go func() {
+				for range bufCh {
+				}
+			}()
+
+			duration := time.Since(t)
+			c.sendCollectorDuration(ch, name, duration)
+
+			if errors.Is(ctx.Err(), context.DeadlineExceeded) {
+				logger.LogAttrs(ctx, slog.LevelWarn, fmt.Sprintf("collector %s timeouted after %s, resulting in %d metrics", name, duration, numMetrics))
+			} else {
+				logger.LogAttrs(ctx, slog.LevelDebug, fmt.Sprintf("collector %s canceled after %s, resulting in %d metrics", name, duration, numMetrics),
+					slog.Any("err", ctx.Err()),
 				)
 			}
 
-			close(bufCh)
-		}()
+			return pending
+		}
+	}
+}
 
-		errCh <- collector.Collect(bufCh, maxScrapeDuration)
-	}()
-
-	wg := sync.WaitGroup{}
-	wg.Add(1)
-
-	go func() {
-		defer func() {
-			// This prevents a panic from race-condition when closing the ch channel too early.
-			_ = recover()
-
-			wg.Done()
-		}()
-
-		// Pass metrics to the prometheus registry
-		// If timeout is reached, the channel is closed.
-		// This will cause a panic if we try to write to it.
-		for {
-			select {
-			case <-ctx.Done():
-				return
-			case m, ok := <-bufCh:
-				if !ok {
-					return
-				}
-
-				if !timeout.Load() {
-					ch <- m
-
-					numMetrics++
-				}
-			}
+// collect calls Collector.Collect and turns a panic into an error.
+func collect(name string, collector Collector, ch chan<- prometheus.Metric, maxScrapeDuration time.Duration) (err error) {
+	defer func() {
+		if r := recover(); r != nil {
+			err = fmt.Errorf("panic in collector %s: %v. stack: %s", name, r,
+				string(debug.Stack()),
+			)
 		}
 	}()
 
-	t := time.Now()
+	return collector.Collect(ch, maxScrapeDuration)
+}
 
-	// Wait for the collector to finish or timeout
-	select {
-	case err = <-errCh:
-		wg.Wait() // Wait for the buffer channel to be closed and empty
-
-		duration = time.Since(t)
-		ch <- prometheus.MustNewConstMetric(
-			c.collectorScrapeDurationDesc,
-			prometheus.GaugeValue,
-			duration.Seconds(),
-			name,
-		)
-	case <-ctx.Done():
-		timeout.Store(true)
-
-		duration = time.Since(t)
-		ch <- prometheus.MustNewConstMetric(
-			c.collectorScrapeDurationDesc,
-			prometheus.GaugeValue,
-			duration.Seconds(),
-			name,
-		)
-
-		logger.LogAttrs(ctx, slog.LevelWarn, fmt.Sprintf("collector %s timeouted after %s, resulting in %d metrics", name, maxScrapeDuration, numMetrics))
-
-		go func() {
-			// Drain channel in case of premature return to not leak a goroutine.
-			for range bufCh {
-			}
-		}()
-
-		return pending
-	}
+func (c *Collection) sendCollectorDuration(ch chan<- prometheus.Metric, name string, duration time.Duration) {
+	ch <- prometheus.MustNewConstMetric(
+		c.collectorScrapeDurationDesc,
+		prometheus.GaugeValue,
+		duration.Seconds(),
+		name,
+	)
+}
 
+func logCollectorResult(ctx context.Context, logger *slog.Logger, name string, err error, duration time.Duration, numMetrics int) collectorStatusCode {
 	slogAttrs := make([]slog.Attr, 0)
 
 	result := "succeeded"
diff --git a/pkg/collector/collect_test.go b/pkg/collector/collect_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2ace88a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/collector/collect_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,574 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+//
+// Copyright The Prometheus Authors
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+// http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+//go:build windows
+
+package collector_test
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"log/slog"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"testing/synctest"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/prometheus-community/windows_exporter/internal/mi"
+	"github.com/prometheus-community/windows_exporter/internal/pdh"
+	"github.com/prometheus-community/windows_exporter/pkg/collector"
+	"github.com/prometheus/client_golang/prometheus"
+	"github.com/prometheus/common/expfmt"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+// The tests in this file share the package-level scrape slot, so they don't run in parallel.
+
+func TestCollectTimedOutCollectorDoesNotOverlap(t *testing.T) {
+	// The collector's delay and the scrape deadlines use synthetic time.
+	synctest.Test(t, func(t *testing.T) {
+		logs := &recordHandler{}
+		logger := slog.New(logs)
+
+		slow := &fakeCollector{name: "slow", delay: 2 * time.Second}
+		fast := &fakeCollector{name: "fast"}
+		collection := collector.New(collector.Map{"slow": slow, "fast": fast})
+
+		all, err := collection.NewHandler(300*time.Millisecond, logger, nil)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		// A filtered view must share the running state with the full collection.
+		filtered, err := collection.NewHandler(300*time.Millisecond, logger, []string{"slow"})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		start := time.Now()
+
+		for i := range 5 {
+			handler := all
+			if i%2 == 1 {
+				handler = filtered
+			}
+
+			out := scrape(t, handler)
+			require.Contains(t, out, `windows_exporter_collector_timeout{collector="slow"} 1`)
+			require.Contains(t, out, `windows_exporter_collector_success{collector="slow"} 0`)
+			require.NotContains(t, out, "windows_test_slow")
+
+			if handler == all {
+				require.Contains(t, out, `windows_exporter_collector_success{collector="fast"} 1`)
+				require.Contains(t, out, "windows_test_fast 42")
+			}
+		}
+
+		// Only the first scrape waited for its deadline, because the others skipped the running collector.
+		require.Equal(t, 300*time.Millisecond, time.Since(start))
+
+		// The first call is still running, and no second call was started.
+		require.Equal(t, int32(1), slow.calls.Load())
+		require.Equal(t, int32(1), slow.maxActive.Load())
+		require.Equal(t, 1, logs.warnings("timeouted"))
+		require.Equal(t, 1, logs.warnings("is still running"))
+
+		// After the first call returns, the next scrape starts a new one.
+		time.Sleep(2 * time.Second)
+		synctest.Wait()
+
+		scrape(t, all)
+		require.Equal(t, int32(2), slow.calls.Load())
+		require.Equal(t, int32(1), slow.maxActive.Load())
+
+		// Let the second call finish before leaving the bubble.
+		time.Sleep(2 * time.Second)
+		synctest.Wait()
+	})
+}
+
+func TestCollectAdmission(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("canceled while queued", func(t *testing.T) {
+		running := newBlockingCollector()
+		collection := collector.New(collector.Map{"test": running})
+		first := scrapeInBackground(t.Context(), collection, time.Minute)
+
+		<-running.started
+
+		ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(t.Context())
+		second := scrapeInBackground(ctx, collection, time.Minute)
+
+		// Give the second scrape time to queue behind the first one. The result is the same if it hasn't yet.
+		time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond)
+		cancel()
+
+		select {
+		case out := <-second:
+			require.Contains(t, out, `windows_exporter_collector_timeout{collector="test"} 1`)
+		case <-time.After(10 * time.Second):
+			t.Fatal("canceled scrape didn't return")
+		}
+
+		close(running.block)
+		require.Contains(t, <-first, `windows_exporter_collector_success{collector="test"} 1`)
+		require.Equal(t, int32(1), running.calls.Load())
+	})
+
+	t.Run("deadline passes while queued", func(t *testing.T) {
+		running := newBlockingCollector()
+		collection := collector.New(collector.Map{"test": running})
+		first := scrapeInBackground(t.Context(), collection, time.Minute)
+
+		<-running.started
+
+		start := time.Now()
+		second := scrapeInBackground(t.Context(), collection, 100*time.Millisecond)
+
+		select {
+		case out := <-second:
+			require.Contains(t, out, `windows_exporter_collector_timeout{collector="test"} 1`)
+			require.Less(t, time.Since(start), 10*time.Second)
+		case <-time.After(10 * time.Second):
+			t.Fatal("queued scrape didn't return at its deadline")
+		}
+
+		close(running.block)
+		<-first
+		require.Equal(t, int32(1), running.calls.Load())
+	})
+
+	t.Run("canceled before admission", func(t *testing.T) {
+		test := &fakeCollector{name: "test"}
+		collection := collector.New(collector.Map{"test": test})
+
+		ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(t.Context())
+		cancel()
+
+		handler, err := collection.NewHandlerWithContext(ctx, time.Minute, slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler), nil)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		require.Contains(t, scrape(t, handler), `windows_exporter_collector_timeout{collector="test"} 1`)
+		require.Equal(t, int32(0), test.calls.Load())
+	})
+
+	t.Run("deadline starts when the handler is created", func(t *testing.T) {
+		synctest.Test(t, func(t *testing.T) {
+			test := &fakeCollector{name: "test"}
+			collection := collector.New(collector.Map{"test": test})
+
+			handler, err := collection.NewHandlerWithContext(t.Context(), 10*time.Second, slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler), nil)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+
+			time.Sleep(4 * time.Second)
+
+			require.Contains(t, scrape(t, handler), `windows_exporter_collector_success{collector="test"} 1`)
+			require.Equal(t, 6*time.Second, time.Duration(test.budget.Load()))
+		})
+	})
+}
+
+func TestCollectFailedBuild(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		name     string
+		buildErr error
+		panics   bool
+		wantErr  string
+	}{
+		{name: "tolerated error", buildErr: pdh.ErrNoData},
+		{name: "error", buildErr: errors.New("build failed"), wantErr: "build failed"},
+		{name: "panic", panics: true, wantErr: "panic: build panic"},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			logs := &recordHandler{}
+			logger := slog.New(logs)
+
+			failing := &fakeCollector{name: "failing", buildErr: tc.buildErr, buildPanic: tc.panics}
+			working := &fakeCollector{name: "working"}
+			collection := collector.New(collector.Map{"failing": failing, "working": working})
+
+			err := collection.Build(t.Context(), logger)
+			if tc.wantErr == "" {
+				require.NoError(t, err)
+				require.Equal(t, 1, logs.warnings("couldn't initialize collector"))
+			} else {
+				require.ErrorContains(t, err, tc.wantErr)
+			}
+
+			if tc.panics {
+				// The error carries the stack of the panic.
+				require.ErrorContains(t, err, "runtime/debug.Stack")
+			}
+
+			handler, err := collection.NewHandler(time.Minute, logger, nil)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+
+			logs.reset()
+
+			for range 3 {
+				out := scrape(t, handler)
+				require.Contains(t, out, `windows_exporter_collector_success{collector="failing"} 0`)
+				require.Contains(t, out, `windows_exporter_collector_timeout{collector="failing"} 0`)
+				require.Contains(t, out, `windows_exporter_collector_success{collector="working"} 1`)
+				require.NotContains(t, out, "windows_test_failing")
+			}
+
+			require.Equal(t, int32(0), failing.calls.Load())
+			require.Equal(t, int32(3), working.calls.Load())
+			require.Zero(t, logs.warnings(""), "a collector that failed to build must not log on every scrape")
+
+			// The collector may hold resources from its partial Build, so it is closed.
+			require.NoError(t, collection.Close())
+			require.Equal(t, int32(1), failing.closes.Load())
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBuildCanceled(t *testing.T) {
+	building := &fakeCollector{name: "building", buildBlock: make(chan struct{}), buildStarted: make(chan struct{}, 1)}
+	collection := collector.New(collector.Map{"building": building})
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(t.Context())
+
+	errCh := make(chan error, 1)
+
+	go func() {
+		errCh <- collection.Build(ctx, slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler))
+	}()
+
+	<-building.buildStarted
+	cancel()
+
+	select {
+	case err := <-errCh:
+		require.ErrorIs(t, err, context.Canceled)
+	case <-time.After(10 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("Build didn't return after its context was canceled")
+	}
+
+	// Close waits for the abandoned Build to return before it closes the collector.
+	closeErr := make(chan error, 1)
+
+	go func() {
+		closeErr <- collection.Close()
+	}()
+
+	close(building.buildBlock)
+	require.NoError(t, <-closeErr)
+	require.Equal(t, int32(1), building.closes.Load())
+
+	require.ErrorIs(t, collection.Build(canceledContext(), slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler)), context.Canceled)
+}
+
+func TestCollectionClose(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("without Build", func(t *testing.T) {
+		test := &fakeCollector{name: "test"}
+		collection := collector.New(collector.Map{"test": test})
+
+		require.NoError(t, collection.Close())
+		require.NoError(t, collection.Close())
+		require.Equal(t, int32(0), test.closes.Load())
+	})
+
+	t.Run("idempotent", func(t *testing.T) {
+		test := &fakeCollector{name: "test"}
+		collection := collector.New(collector.Map{"test": test})
+		require.NoError(t, collection.Build(t.Context(), slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler)))
+
+		require.NoError(t, collection.Close())
+		require.NoError(t, collection.Close())
+		require.Equal(t, int32(1), test.closes.Load())
+
+		// A closed collector is not collected anymore.
+		handler, err := collection.NewHandler(time.Minute, slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler), nil)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.Contains(t, scrape(t, handler), `windows_exporter_collector_success{collector="test"} 0`)
+		require.Equal(t, int32(0), test.calls.Load())
+	})
+
+	t.Run("waits for a running Collect", func(t *testing.T) {
+		synctest.Test(t, func(t *testing.T) {
+			slow := &fakeCollector{name: "slow", delay: 2 * time.Second}
+			collection := collector.New(collector.Map{"slow": slow})
+			require.NoError(t, collection.Build(t.Context(), slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler)))
+
+			handler, err := collection.NewHandler(100*time.Millisecond, slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler), nil)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			require.Contains(t, scrape(t, handler), `windows_exporter_collector_timeout{collector="slow"} 1`)
+
+			require.NoError(t, collection.Close())
+			require.Equal(t, int32(1), slow.closes.Load())
+			require.Equal(t, int32(0), slow.closedWhileActive.Load())
+		})
+	})
+
+	t.Run("leaves a hung collector open", func(t *testing.T) {
+		synctest.Test(t, func(t *testing.T) {
+			hung := &fakeCollector{name: "hung", delay: time.Minute}
+			collection := collector.New(collector.Map{"hung": hung})
+			require.NoError(t, collection.Build(t.Context(), slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler)))
+
+			handler, err := collection.NewHandler(100*time.Millisecond, slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler), nil)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			scrape(t, handler)
+
+			require.ErrorContains(t, collection.Close(), "still running")
+			require.Equal(t, int32(0), hung.closes.Load())
+
+			// Once the call returns, a later Close closes the collector.
+			time.Sleep(time.Minute)
+			synctest.Wait()
+
+			require.NoError(t, collection.Close())
+			require.Equal(t, int32(1), hung.closes.Load())
+			require.Equal(t, int32(0), hung.closedWhileActive.Load())
+		})
+	})
+}
+
+func TestBuildCloseCyclesDoNotLeakGoroutines(t *testing.T) {
+	// The bubble also fails the test if any goroutine of it is still blocked at the end.
+	synctest.Test(t, func(t *testing.T) {
+		logger := slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler)
+
+		cycle := func() {
+			slow := &fakeCollector{name: "slow", delay: time.Second}
+			fast := &fakeCollector{name: "fast"}
+			collection := collector.New(collector.Map{"slow": slow, "fast": fast})
+			require.NoError(t, collection.Build(t.Context(), logger))
+
+			handler, err := collection.NewHandler(100*time.Millisecond, logger, nil)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+
+			out := scrape(t, handler)
+			require.Contains(t, out, `windows_exporter_collector_timeout{collector="slow"} 1`)
+			require.Contains(t, out, `windows_exporter_collector_success{collector="fast"} 1`)
+
+			require.NoError(t, collection.Close())
+			require.Equal(t, int32(1), slow.closes.Load())
+			require.Equal(t, int32(1), fast.closes.Load())
+		}
+
+		cycle()
+		synctest.Wait()
+
+		baseline := runtime.NumGoroutine()
+
+		for range 20 {
+			cycle()
+		}
+
+		synctest.Wait()
+
+		// One leaked goroutine per cycle would add 20.
+		require.LessOrEqual(t, runtime.NumGoroutine(), baseline+2)
+	})
+}
+
+// fakeCollector is a collector whose Build and Collect behave as configured.
+type fakeCollector struct {
+	name         string
+	buildErr     error
+	buildPanic   bool
+	buildStarted chan struct{}
+	buildBlock   chan struct{}
+	delay        time.Duration
+
+	calls             atomic.Int32
+	active            atomic.Int32
+	maxActive         atomic.Int32
+	closes            atomic.Int32
+	closedWhileActive atomic.Int32
+	budget            atomic.Int64
+}
+
+func (c *fakeCollector) GetName() string { return c.name }
+
+func (c *fakeCollector) Build(_ *slog.Logger, _ *mi.Session) error {
+	if c.buildStarted != nil {
+		c.buildStarted <- struct{}{}
+	}
+
+	if c.buildBlock != nil {
+		<-c.buildBlock
+	}
+
+	if c.buildPanic {
+		panic("build panic")
+	}
+
+	return c.buildErr
+}
+
+func (c *fakeCollector) Collect(ch chan<- prometheus.Metric, maxScrapeDuration time.Duration) error {
+	c.calls.Add(1)
+	c.budget.Store(int64(maxScrapeDuration))
+
+	active := c.active.Add(1)
+	defer c.active.Add(-1)
+
+	for {
+		maxActive := c.maxActive.Load()
+		if active <= maxActive || c.maxActive.CompareAndSwap(maxActive, active) {
+			break
+		}
+	}
+
+	time.Sleep(c.delay)
+
+	ch <- prometheus.MustNewConstMetric(prometheus.NewDesc("windows_test_"+c.name, "Test metric", nil, nil), prometheus.GaugeValue, 42)
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (c *fakeCollector) Close() error {
+	c.closes.Add(1)
+
+	if c.active.Load() != 0 {
+		c.closedWhileActive.Add(1)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// blockingCollector is a collector whose Collect signals started and waits until block is closed.
+type blockingCollector struct {
+	*fakeCollector
+
+	started chan struct{}
+	block   chan struct{}
+}
+
+func newBlockingCollector() *blockingCollector {
+	c := &blockingCollector{
+		started: make(chan struct{}, 1),
+		block:   make(chan struct{}),
+	}
+	c.fakeCollector = &fakeCollector{name: "test"}
+
+	return c
+}
+
+func (c *blockingCollector) Collect(ch chan<- prometheus.Metric, maxScrapeDuration time.Duration) error {
+	c.started <- struct{}{}
+
+	<-c.block
+
+	return c.fakeCollector.Collect(ch, maxScrapeDuration)
+}
+
+// scrapeInBackground starts a scrape with a handler bound to ctx and returns its output, or the error text.
+func scrapeInBackground(ctx context.Context, collection *collector.Collection, timeout time.Duration) <-chan string {
+	out := make(chan string, 1)
+
+	handler, err := collection.NewHandlerWithContext(ctx, timeout, slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler), nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		out <- err.Error()
+
+		return out
+	}
+
+	go func() {
+		text, err := gather(handler)
+		if err != nil {
+			text = err.Error()
+		}
+
+		out <- text
+	}()
+
+	return out
+}
+
+func scrape(t *testing.T, handler *collector.Handler) string {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	out, err := gather(handler)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	return out
+}
+
+// gather collects handler once and returns the metrics in the text format.
+func gather(handler *collector.Handler) (string, error) {
+	registry := prometheus.NewRegistry()
+	if err := registry.Register(handler); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	families, err := registry.Gather()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	var out strings.Builder
+
+	for _, family := range families {
+		if _, err := expfmt.MetricFamilyToText(&out, family); err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
+	}
+
+	return out.String(), nil
+}
+
+func canceledContext() context.Context {
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	cancel()
+
+	return ctx
+}
+
+// recordHandler is a [slog.Handler] that records all messages.
+type recordHandler struct {
+	mu      sync.Mutex
+	records []slog.Record
+}
+
+func (h *recordHandler) Enabled(context.Context, slog.Level) bool { return true }
+
+func (h *recordHandler) Handle(_ context.Context, record slog.Record) error {
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	defer h.mu.Unlock()
+
+	h.records = append(h.records, record)
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (h *recordHandler) WithAttrs([]slog.Attr) slog.Handler { return h }
+
+func (h *recordHandler) WithGroup(string) slog.Handler { return h }
+
+// warnings returns the number of warnings whose message contains substr.
+func (h *recordHandler) warnings(substr string) int {
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	defer h.mu.Unlock()
+
+	n := 0
+
+	for _, record := range h.records {
+		if record.Level == slog.LevelWarn && strings.Contains(record.Message, substr) {
+			n++
+		}
+	}
+
+	return n
+}
+
+func (h *recordHandler) reset() {
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	defer h.mu.Unlock()
+
+	h.records = nil
+}
diff --git a/pkg/collector/collection.go b/pkg/collector/collection.go
index d2f2d553..270961e5 100644
--- a/pkg/collector/collection.go
+++ b/pkg/collector/collection.go
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ import (
 	"log/slog"
 	"maps"
 	"slices"
-	"sync"
 	gotime "time"
 
 	"github.com/alecthomas/kingpin/v2"
@@ -158,8 +157,8 @@ func NewWithConfig(config Config) *Collection {
 // New To be called by the external libraries for collector initialization.
 func New(collectors Map) *Collection {
 	return &Collection{
-		collectors:    collectors,
-		concurrencyCh: make(chan struct{}, 1),
+		collectors: collectors,
+		state:      newCollectionState(),
 		scrapeDurationDesc: prometheus.NewDesc(
 			prometheus.BuildFQName(types.Namespace, "exporter", "scrape_duration_seconds"),
 			"windows_exporter: Total scrape duration.",
@@ -213,39 +212,68 @@ func (c *Collection) Disable(disabledCollectors []string) {
 	}
 }
 
+// closeTimeout bounds how long Close waits for running Build and Collect calls to return.
+const closeTimeout = 5 * gotime.Second
+
 // Build To be called by the exporter for collector initialization.
 // Instead, fail fast, it will try to build all collectors and return all errors.
 // errors are joined with errors.Join.
+//
+// A collector whose Build fails is not collected. Scrapes report it with
+// windows_exporter_collector_success 0. A panic in a collector's Build is returned as an error.
+//
+// If ctx is done before all collectors are built, Build returns without waiting for them.
+// Collectors that are still building finish in the background, and Close waits for them.
 func (c *Collection) Build(ctx context.Context, logger *slog.Logger) error {
 	c.startTime = gotime.Now()
 
-	err := c.initMI()
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("collector initialization aborted: %w", context.Cause(ctx))
+	}
+
+	miSession, err := c.initMI()
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("error from initialize MI: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	wg := sync.WaitGroup{}
-	wg.Add(len(c.collectors))
+	type buildResult struct {
+		name string
+		err  error
+	}
 
-	errCh := make(chan error, len(c.collectors))
+	// The channel is buffered, so that builds abandoned by a done ctx don't block.
+	resultCh := make(chan buildResult, len(c.collectors))
+
+	for name, collector := range c.collectors {
+		state := c.state.collector(name)
 
-	for _, collector := range c.collectors {
 		go func() {
-			defer wg.Done()
-
-			if err := collector.Build(logger, c.miSession); err != nil {
-				errCh <- fmt.Errorf("error build collector %s: %w", collector.GetName(), err)
+			resultCh <- buildResult{
+				name: collector.GetName(),
+				err:  state.build(ctx, logger, miSession, collector),
 			}
 		}()
 	}
 
-	wg.Wait()
-
-	close(errCh)
-
 	errs := make([]error, 0, len(c.collectors))
 
-	for err := range errCh {
+	for range len(c.collectors) {
+		var result buildResult
+
+		select {
+		case result = <-resultCh:
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			errs = append(errs, fmt.Errorf("collector initialization aborted: %w", context.Cause(ctx)))
+
+			return errors.Join(errs...)
+		}
+
+		if result.err == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		err := fmt.Errorf("error build collector %s: %w", result.name, result.err)
+
 		if errors.Is(err, pdh.ErrNoData) ||
 			errors.Is(err, winregistry.ErrNotExist) ||
 			errors.Is(err, pdh.NewPdhError(pdh.CstatusNoObject)) ||
@@ -253,7 +281,9 @@ func (c *Collection) Build(ctx context.Context, logger *slog.Logger) error {
 			errors.Is(err, mi.MI_RESULT_INVALID_OPERATION_TIMEOUT) ||
 			errors.Is(err, mi.MI_RESULT_INVALID_NAMESPACE) ||
 			errors.Is(err, mi.MI_RESULT_INVALID_CLASS) {
-			logger.LogAttrs(ctx, slog.LevelWarn, "couldn't initialize collector", slog.Any("err", err))
+			logger.LogAttrs(ctx, slog.LevelWarn, "couldn't initialize collector",
+				slog.Any("err", err),
+			)
 
 			continue
 		}
@@ -265,65 +295,98 @@ func (c *Collection) Build(ctx context.Context, logger *slog.Logger) error {
 }
 
 // Close To be called by the exporter for collector cleanup.
+//
+// Close waits up to 5 seconds for running Build and Collect calls to return.
+// A collector that is still running after that is left open and reported in the returned error,
+// because closing it would release resources that are still in use.
+// The MI session is then left open as well.
+//
+// Close is safe to call after a failed or partial Build and more than once.
+// Collectors that were never built are not closed. A closed collector is never built or collected again.
 func (c *Collection) Close() error {
+	c.state.closeMu.Lock()
+	defer c.state.closeMu.Unlock()
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), closeTimeout)
+	defer cancel()
+
 	errs := make([]error, 0, len(c.collectors))
+	collectorBusy := false
+
+	for name, collector := range c.collectors {
+		if err := c.state.collector(name).close(ctx, collector); err != nil {
+			collectorBusy = collectorBusy || errors.Is(err, errCollectorBusy)
 
-	for _, collector := range c.collectors {
-		if err := collector.Close(); err != nil {
 			errs = append(errs, fmt.Errorf("error from close collector %s: %w", collector.GetName(), err))
 		}
 	}
 
-	app, err := c.miSession.GetApplication()
-	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, mi.ErrNotInitialized) {
-		errs = append(errs, fmt.Errorf("error from get MI application: %w", err))
-	}
-
-	if err := c.miSession.Close(); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, mi.ErrNotInitialized) {
-		errs = append(errs, fmt.Errorf("error from close MI session: %w", err))
-	}
-
-	if err := app.Close(); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, mi.ErrNotInitialized) {
-		errs = append(errs, fmt.Errorf("error from close MI application: %w", err))
+	if collectorBusy {
+		// Closing the MI session would block on, or break, the operations of running collectors.
+		errs = append(errs, errors.New("MI session left open, because collectors are still running"))
+	} else {
+		errs = append(errs, c.state.closeMI()...)
 	}
 
 	return errors.Join(errs...)
 }
 
 // initMI To be called by the exporter for collector initialization.
-func (c *Collection) initMI() error {
+// It returns the session of an earlier call, if there is one.
+func (c *Collection) initMI() (*mi.Session, error) {
+	if session := c.state.session(); session != nil {
+		return session, nil
+	}
+
 	app, err := mi.ApplicationInitialize()
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("error from initialize MI application: %w", err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error from initialize MI application: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	destinationOptions, err := app.NewDestinationOptions()
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("error from create NewDestinationOptions: %w", err)
+		_ = app.Close()
+
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error from create NewDestinationOptions: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	if err = destinationOptions.SetLocale(mi.LocaleEnglish); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("error from set locale: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	if err = destinationOptions.SetTimeout(gotime.Second); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("error from set timeout: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	c.miSession, err = app.NewSession(destinationOptions)
+	session, err := newMISession(app, destinationOptions)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("error from create NewSession: %w", err)
+		_ = destinationOptions.Delete()
+		_ = app.Close()
+
+		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	return nil
+	c.state.setMI(app, session)
+
+	return session, nil
+}
+
+func newMISession(app *mi.Application, destinationOptions *mi.DestinationOptions) (*mi.Session, error) {
+	if err := destinationOptions.SetLocale(mi.LocaleEnglish); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error from set locale: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := destinationOptions.SetTimeout(gotime.Second); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error from set timeout: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	session, err := app.NewSession(destinationOptions)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error from create NewSession: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return session, nil
 }
 
 // WithCollectors To be called by the exporter for collector initialization.
+// The returned Collection shares the collector instances and their state with c,
+// so a collector never runs twice at the same time, whichever Collection scrapes it.
 func (c *Collection) WithCollectors(collectors []string) (*Collection, error) {
 	metricCollectors := &Collection{
-		miSession:                   c.miSession,
 		startTime:                   c.startTime,
-		concurrencyCh:               c.concurrencyCh,
+		state:                       c.state,
 		scrapeDurationDesc:          c.scrapeDurationDesc,
 		collectorScrapeDurationDesc: c.collectorScrapeDurationDesc,
 		collectorScrapeSuccessDesc:  c.collectorScrapeSuccessDesc,
diff --git a/pkg/collector/handler.go b/pkg/collector/handler.go
index efad9936..4abcc37f 100644
--- a/pkg/collector/handler.go
+++ b/pkg/collector/handler.go
@@ -18,9 +18,9 @@
 package collector
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"log/slog"
-	"sync"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/prometheus/client_golang/prometheus"
@@ -29,20 +29,27 @@ import (
 // Interface guard.
 var _ prometheus.Collector = (*Handler)(nil)
 
+// scrapeSlot admits one scrape at a time, across all collections.
 // We are expose metrics directly from the memory region of the Win32 API.
 // We should not allow more than one request at a time.
 //
 //nolint:gochecknoglobals
-var concurrencyMu sync.Mutex
+var scrapeSlot = make(chan struct{}, 1)
 
 // Handler implements [prometheus.Collector] for a set of Windows Collection.
 type Handler struct {
 	maxScrapeDuration time.Duration
 	logger            *slog.Logger
 	collection        *Collection
+
+	// ctx and deadline are set by [Collection.NewHandlerWithContext] for a handler that serves one scrape.
+	// [prometheus.Collector.Collect] has no context parameter, so the handler carries it.
+	ctx      context.Context //nolint:containedctx
+	deadline time.Time
 }
 
 // NewHandler returns a new Handler that implements a [prometheus.Collector] for the given metrics Collection.
+// Each call of Collect may take up to maxScrapeDuration, including the time it waits for an earlier scrape to finish.
 func (c *Collection) NewHandler(maxScrapeDuration time.Duration, logger *slog.Logger, collectors []string) (*Handler, error) {
 	collection := c
 
@@ -62,12 +69,60 @@ func (c *Collection) NewHandler(maxScrapeDuration time.Duration, logger *slog.Lo
 	}, nil
 }
 
+// NewHandlerWithContext returns a Handler for a single scrape, such as one HTTP request.
+// The scrape's deadline is maxScrapeDuration from now, so the time Collect waits for an earlier scrape
+// to finish counts against it. Collect returns early once ctx is done, without starting collectors
+// that have not started yet.
+func (c *Collection) NewHandlerWithContext(ctx context.Context, maxScrapeDuration time.Duration, logger *slog.Logger, collectors []string) (*Handler, error) {
+	handler, err := c.NewHandler(maxScrapeDuration, logger, collectors)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	handler.ctx = ctx
+	handler.deadline = time.Now().Add(maxScrapeDuration)
+
+	return handler, nil
+}
+
 func (p *Handler) Describe(_ chan<- *prometheus.Desc) {}
 
 // Collect sends the collected metrics from each of the Collection to
 // prometheus.
 func (p *Handler) Collect(ch chan<- prometheus.Metric) {
-	concurrencyMu.Lock()
-	p.collection.collectAll(ch, p.logger, p.maxScrapeDuration)
-	concurrencyMu.Unlock()
+	ctx, deadline := p.ctx, p.deadline
+	if ctx == nil {
+		ctx, deadline = context.Background(), time.Now().Add(p.maxScrapeDuration)
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithDeadline(ctx, deadline)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	p.collection.collectAll(ctx, ch, p.logger)
+}
+
+// acquireScrapeSlot waits for the scrape slot until ctx is done.
+func acquireScrapeSlot(ctx context.Context) error {
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	select {
+	case scrapeSlot <- struct{}{}:
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return ctx.Err()
+	}
+
+	// Both cases may have been ready. Don't start a scrape that nobody waits for anymore.
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		<-scrapeSlot
+
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func releaseScrapeSlot() {
+	<-scrapeSlot
 }
diff --git a/pkg/collector/state.go b/pkg/collector/state.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6aaafd53
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/collector/state.go
@@ -0,0 +1,242 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+//
+// Copyright The Prometheus Authors
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+// http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+//go:build windows
+
+package collector
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"log/slog"
+	"runtime/debug"
+	"sync"
+
+	"github.com/prometheus-community/windows_exporter/internal/mi"
+)
+
+var (
+	errCollectorBusy    = errors.New("collector is still running")
+	errCollectionClosed = errors.New("collection is closed")
+)
+
+// collectionState is the state of a Collection that its filtered views share.
+type collectionState struct {
+	mu         sync.Mutex
+	collectors map[string]*collectorState
+	miApp      *mi.Application
+	miSession  *mi.Session
+
+	// closeMu serializes Close calls.
+	closeMu sync.Mutex
+}
+
+func newCollectionState() *collectionState {
+	return &collectionState{collectors: make(map[string]*collectorState)}
+}
+
+// collector returns the state of the named collector, creating it on first use.
+func (s *collectionState) collector(name string) *collectorState {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	state, ok := s.collectors[name]
+	if !ok {
+		state = &collectorState{slot: make(chan struct{}, 1)}
+		s.collectors[name] = state
+	}
+
+	return state
+}
+
+func (s *collectionState) session() *mi.Session {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	return s.miSession
+}
+
+func (s *collectionState) setMI(app *mi.Application, session *mi.Session) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	s.miApp = app
+	s.miSession = session
+}
+
+// closeMI closes the MI session and application. Later calls do nothing.
+func (s *collectionState) closeMI() []error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	app, session := s.miApp, s.miSession
+	s.miApp, s.miSession = nil, nil
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	var errs []error
+
+	if session != nil {
+		if err := session.Close(); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, mi.ErrNotInitialized) {
+			errs = append(errs, fmt.Errorf("error from close MI session: %w", err))
+		}
+	}
+
+	if app != nil {
+		if err := app.Close(); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, mi.ErrNotInitialized) {
+			errs = append(errs, fmt.Errorf("error from close MI application: %w", err))
+		}
+	}
+
+	return errs
+}
+
+type startResult int
+
+const (
+	started startResult = iota
+	busy
+	notAvailable
+)
+
+// collectorState tracks the lifecycle of one collector instance.
+type collectorState struct {
+	// slot is held while Build, Collect or Close of the collector runs.
+	// A Collect call that outlives its scrape keeps the slot until it returns,
+	// so no scrape starts a second call on the same instance.
+	slot chan struct{}
+
+	mu sync.Mutex
+	// buildErr is the error of the last Build. A collector that failed to build is not collected.
+	buildErr error
+	// built is true once Build was called, so Close only closes collectors that may hold resources.
+	built bool
+	// closing is true once Close was called. No Build or Collect starts afterwards.
+	closing bool
+	// closed is true once Collector.Close was called.
+	closed bool
+	// busyLogged is true once a scrape logged that it skipped the current run.
+	busyLogged bool
+}
+
+// tryCollect acquires the slot for a Collect call without waiting.
+func (s *collectorState) tryCollect() startResult {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if s.closing || s.buildErr != nil {
+		return notAvailable
+	}
+
+	select {
+	case s.slot <- struct{}{}:
+		return started
+	default:
+		return busy
+	}
+}
+
+// release releases the slot acquired by tryCollect.
+func (s *collectorState) release() {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.busyLogged = false
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	<-s.slot
+}
+
+// logBusy reports whether a skipped scrape is the first one of the current run.
+func (s *collectorState) logBusy() bool {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	first := !s.busyLogged
+	s.busyLogged = true
+
+	return first
+}
+
+// build runs Collector.Build while it holds the slot and records the result.
+// A panic in Collector.Build is returned as an error.
+func (s *collectorState) build(ctx context.Context, logger *slog.Logger, miSession *mi.Session, collector Collector) (err error) {
+	select {
+	case s.slot <- struct{}{}:
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		err = context.Cause(ctx)
+
+		s.mu.Lock()
+		s.buildErr = err
+		s.mu.Unlock()
+
+		return err
+	}
+
+	defer func() {
+		s.mu.Lock()
+		s.buildErr = err
+		s.mu.Unlock()
+
+		<-s.slot
+	}()
+
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	closing := s.closing
+	s.built = !closing
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if closing {
+		return errCollectionClosed
+	}
+
+	defer func() {
+		if r := recover(); r != nil {
+			err = fmt.Errorf("panic: %v. stack: %s", r, string(debug.Stack()))
+		}
+	}()
+
+	return collector.Build(logger, miSession)
+}
+
+// close calls Collector.Close once the collector is idle. It waits until ctx is done for a running
+// Build or Collect call to return. If the call does not return in time, the collector is left open,
+// because closing it would release resources that are still in use.
+// After close, the collector is never built or collected again.
+func (s *collectorState) close(ctx context.Context, collector Collector) (err error) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.closing = true
+	done := s.closed || !s.built
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if done {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	select {
+	case s.slot <- struct{}{}:
+		// The slot is never released, so no call starts after Close.
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return errCollectorBusy
+	}
+
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.closed = true
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	defer func() {
+		if r := recover(); r != nil {
+			err = fmt.Errorf("panic: %v. stack: %s", r, string(debug.Stack()))
+		}
+	}()
+
+	return collector.Close()
+}
diff --git a/pkg/collector/types.go b/pkg/collector/types.go
index e191ea7c..a22e5d26 100644
--- a/pkg/collector/types.go
+++ b/pkg/collector/types.go
@@ -29,10 +29,11 @@ import (
 const DefaultCollectors = "cpu,memory,logical_disk,physical_disk,net,os,service,system"
 
 type Collection struct {
-	collectors    Map
-	miSession     *mi.Session
-	startTime     time.Time
-	concurrencyCh chan struct{}
+	collectors Map
+	startTime  time.Time
+
+	// state is shared with every Collection derived from this one by WithCollectors.
+	state *collectionState
 
 	scrapeDurationDesc          *prometheus.Desc
 	collectorScrapeDurationDesc *prometheus.Desc