Media Creation Tool Error 0x80042405 0xA001B

Anonymous
2019-05-22T02:24:49+00:00

I must be doing something wrong because I always have the update fail with some BS error like this. What are the proper steps to run this tool?

I download the tool to the desktop. I'm on an Admin account. I insert a 16GB thumb drive. I format it. I start the tool. I point it to the thumb drive. During the phase where the files are copied to the USB, I get some stupid error like this:

Why are my steps not good enough? Where is the hole in my logic? Or is this tool just written poorly. I'd like to use stronger language here as I used to have to start it all over again and burn bandwidth trying this failed endeavor over and over.

I've heard people make it work by running the tool FROM the USB. Why would that matter? I've tried to write files to the thumb drive just after the format and before running the tool to make sure I have successful writes. Doesn't help. 

As a workaround today, I left the error up for a bit. Tried to access the thumb drive and it said it needed to be formatted AGAIN! So I did. Then I just opened the C:$Windows.~WS\Sources\Windows and copied the files to the drive by hand. Made the dang thing myself! WHO WRITES THIS STUFF??

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.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
Kapil Arya 38,446 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2019-10-23T10:23:40+00:00

Hello,

I would suggest you to create latest media. Download the Media Creation Tool using this link:

https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691209

Hope this helps!

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

227 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2019-06-13T23:38:41+00:00

    Credit to user Thomas TKH for this fix.

    I'm surprised with all the experienced users on this forum that you are getting these unhelpful answers. If you get this error, simple copy and paste the Media Creation Tool onto the USB drive itself, then run it directly.

    Was this answer helpful?

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2019-06-13T23:55:28+00:00

    Is this paste after downloading?

    Which version is to be downloaded or pasted?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2019-06-14T00:00:55+00:00

    I've heard that works but it shouldn't be necessary. Here's what I noticed on the last USB drive I used the tool on. The fail comes right at 50% after the download completes. I had the USB drive open at that time to watch what happens. It's right at the 50% point that the local files that were downloaded begin to copy to the USB drive. Since I had it open, Windows shut Explorer. When I reopened it, I could tell new files were being copied from the local disk to the drive.

    Though I know it works, having the tool ON the USB drive shouldn't keep this process from failing. I feel it's evident that this isn't necessary because I sometimes have a successful build and I never copy the tool to the USB.

    The last time I made one, I also did a CLEAN from DISKPART. The USB drive must have a partition and be formatted for the drive letter to be selected by the Media Creation Tool.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2019-06-14T00:58:26+00:00

    Something is definitely broken with this upgrade...

    I tried upgrading it from Windows Update, and the update failed. The PC tried to restart but only shutdown. Then when I turned it on Windows Update said 1903 was installed yet I couldn't install Xbox Game Pass (BETA) app. 

    Then I tried doing a fresh start. No success. Same thing, windows didn't even delete everything, or if it did, it undid changes on next boot.

    Then I finally asked Windows Support for a hand, then they suggested Windows Creation Tool. Same thing happened, but worst. On my next boot I got a prompt from a desktop.ini file created somewhere with this inside: 

    [.ShellClassInfo]

    LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21787

    There was another window opened but it was closed after I tried it again.

    Now I will have to erase everything from my PC to install a freaking upgrade so I can use Xbox Game Pass for PC... This is really annoying. 

    Didn't you detect anything wrong on it, Microsoft, for real? I mean, seriously... This is the first time a official update is giving so much headache for so much people...

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments