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
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

227 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2019-06-14T01:16:50+00:00

    Before you tried to install the Xbox Game Pass did you try to do any thing else?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2019-06-14T03:09:43+00:00

    That is sad to hear & worse than this thread is about. I think you belong in this one instead...

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-update/cannot-install-update-1903/ad949b1b-982c-40f6-a535-cfab5a8f071d?messageId=053224a6-41d1-48b1-864b-f390024035a4&page=1

    Cannot Install Update 1903

    And I think lacrumb is onto something. You should have tested & secured the original install of 1903 before trying to install Xbox Game Pass (BETA). As is said in here...

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install/clean-install-windows-10/1c426bdf-79b1-4d42-be93-17378d93e587?messageId=da8cd190-dfa8-4e39-8417-b1802a269196

    Clean Install Windows 10

    "

    Reinstall programs

    Install programs slowly over time to gauge performance changes after each. You can roll back bad effects of a Program install or Update(s) by uninstalling it or using System Restore.  Often these will not repeat but if so check you have the latest Net Framework from Microsoft or report it back here. 

    "

    So - after you do the clean install & it seems to be running well, secure it by making a Windows system image backup or equivalent (with a 3rd-party tool). Then, do big installs slowly always ready to reverse one with System Restore. But if that fails, then restore the image.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2019-06-15T13:30:04+00:00

    same stuff guys...

    yours ms tool to install win10

    just

    do

    not

    work.

    winserver2019 

    flash formated as fat32 an so on as just sad in this article. and blablalba....

    error 0xa001b

    just tried another pc win8.1 

    another flash 32G,,,

    same stuff...

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2019-06-16T00:09:10+00:00

    Forget the flash drive. Download the MediaCreationTool1903.exe (MCT) from...

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

    Download Windows 10

    Download it to the Desktop or to your Downloads folder on C:\ or on an external HDD. Click it and make an .ISO - either somewhere on C:\ or onto an external HDD - but not onto a flash/stick drive. Unplug any flash drive. Then double-click the .ISO to mount it. It should open in File Explorer. Click Setup.exe.

    The actual instructions under "Additional methods for using the ISO file" state...

    "

    If you want to install Windows 10 directly from the ISO file without using a DVD or flash drive, you can do so by mounting the ISO file. This will perform an upgrade of your current operating system to Windows 10.

    To mount the ISO file:

    1. Go to the location where the ISO file is saved, right-click the ISO file and select Properties.
    2. On the General tab, click Change… and select Windows Explorer for the program you would like to use to open ISO files and select Apply.
    3. Right-click the ISO file and select Mount.
    4. Double-click the ISO file to view the files within. Double-click setup.exe to start Windows 10 setup.

    "

    But mine already is set that way...

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments