Windows 10 Media Creation Tool Error: 0x80042405 - 0xA001A

Anonymous
2017-11-16T13:39:26+00:00

Greetings,

Recently, I have seen many people inquiring about this error regarding the Media Creation Tool. I myself got this error when I try to create a bootable USB drive (aka Create an Installable Media).

Here's what I tried:

Reformatting USB drive to FAT32

Deleting files

Tried to locate and run Setupprep.exe (I couldn't find this file in C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources or anywhere)

Change Startup Type of Update-Related Services (Startup Type: Manual -> Automatic)

Uninstalled and Reinstall Windows 10 Media Creation Tool

Made sure my USB is above 8Gb as instructed by the tool (it is 15Gb)

The Fix (for me at least):

1. Downloadthe Windows 10 Media Creation Tool directlyinto the USB drive that you want to use as a bootable device (meaning you download the Tool into the same USB you chose to use as an Installation Media). If you already downloaded the tool on your PC's Desktop, copy it into your USB.

2. Run the Tool directly from your USB, meaning you open File Explorer, locate the MediaCreationTool.exe in your USB and double-click to run it.

The installer should then create an Installation Media/Bootable USB.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Tom

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Install and upgrade

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-01-30T21:08:13+00:00

    Thank You, this worked for me

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-01-28T21:32:54+00:00

    I tried Thomas TKH's suggestion and, by itself it didn't work.

    I tried formatting as FAT32 and NTFS

    It didn't work (downloaded 100%, verified 100%, but failed around 50%)

    I ran it as admin - it didn't work.

    Here's what FINALLY WORKED!:

    1. I moved the USB drive to a different USB port
    2. I quick formatted it as NTFS
    3. I named it ("Win10"). Previously I was leaving it blank.
    4. I disabled Windows Defender antivirus
    5. I copied the installer and ran it as admin from the USB drive itself (as Thomas TKH suggested)
    6. After kicking it off, I closed all browser windows and File Explorer windows (including the USB drive that was open so I could run the app) and 2 or 3 lightweight background apps

    I don't know which of the above was the turning point, but after doing all of them at the same time, it finally worked for me.

    :-)

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    20+ people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2018-01-25T09:58:54+00:00

    Thanks Tom!

    Can't believe such a buggy Microsoft product isn't fixed quickly, but your workaround worked for me!

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    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2018-01-25T07:58:52+00:00

    I had the same issue.

    Each time it fails it would formatting my USB, and I left the USB's display name blank.

    The last time I change the USB's display name as "X", it solved the problem.

    After successfully installed, it changed the name to "ESD-USB".

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    10 people found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2018-01-24T13:29:28+00:00

    Worked perfectly for me.

    Thank you.

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