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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-07-06T19:09:26+00:00

    "Empty pause screensaver"?

    Do you mean "blank screensaver"?

    This fix is very novel! The 1 hr. wait time may not be convenient however if one is working with time constraints.

    Yes, blank screensaver :) just a syntax error from my part :) the one hour is because it takes time to download windows 10, and to be sure that the USB key is ready and good to go.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-07-02T23:58:19+00:00

    It's silly but it works (FOR ME). and after careful observation of my magic hamster ball. it appears the drive does not get properly reformatted if the executable is not present.  the process will un-partition the drive  but never successfully re-partitions the drive when the file is missing. (failed runs have a nuked un-partitioned Thumbelina drive).  looks like a MS Dev  made a minor mistake in the build of the detecting code. 

    Your Mileage may vary , contents of this message may have shifted or settled during transport, offer not valid in 9 out of 10 realities .  This statement should not be considered legal advice. Its been a long long day and I really need to go home.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-06-20T02:49:15+00:00

    This works!

    I twice tried to create the Windows 10 installation on a USB (the Media Creation Tool download was stored on my hard drive) and twice it failed. I then copied the download to the USB, and the Windows 10 install created successfully!

    Thanks!

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-06-14T17:43:13+00:00

    omg, it really worked for me!

    cant believe it.. thanks

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  5. Anonymous
    2018-06-14T00:22:43+00:00

    OK, this was totally pissing me off but here is how *I* fixed it.

    Computer management

    Disk Administrator

    Remove the partion

    Create New Simple Volume

    Quick Format using FAT32 with all defaults

    reboot

    rerun the tool and create USB

    SUCCESS!

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