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

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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!

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-08-11T00:51:42+00:00

    Roy Beaulieu, 

    Unfortunately I don't see your error so I cannot even try to figure out what the problem is.

    From your description it sounds like a bug with your USB device or USB drivers.

    I have seen other cases, unrelated to MCT, where inserting a USB device, that was previously properly formatted,  windows would say it needs to be formatted, in those cases just removing and reinserting the device clears the problem, but I don't know why it pops up the message in the first place even if the device is perfectly formatted.  

    Anyway, the easiest way to workaround your bug is by downloading the Windows.iso and creating the USB media from the Windows.iso, no need to download multiple times and keep retrying when it fails.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-08-11T01:11:54+00:00

    Thanks for the advice but, I have no need of the work around for myself. I need the MCT to do it's job for clients making their own USB drive. I often have to walk them through this over the phone when their PC is dead. If the MCT can't work for my someone like my dad, it's busted.

    As a test, I've plugged in the drive and done all the recommended work arounds people mention here. Including running DISKPART CLEAN, copy the MCT to the USB and running it, as well as making sure I have full access to the USB drive before I start the slay ride. The USB is fine and ready when I start MCT all the way up to the point when the MCT tries to copy files. 

    Thanks for the time you're taking in contributing to a resolution.

    EDIT: 

    PS I would assume with the brilliance of all the programmers at Microsoft, the issue lies with us users. Then I started to use Skype.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-08-11T01:40:07+00:00

    Do you have any 3ed party anti virus, security, cleanup, driver update programs ever installed on the computer?

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-08-11T01:51:51+00:00

    No. I'm 100% against that kind of stuff due to the craziness it sometimes produces. Plus, I have no need for any of those. I've even tried it on clean machines with fresh installs and patches. I'm pretty sure this is an issue with the tool since it fails when it's time to copy files. Well, fails when it wants. Sometimes 2nd time is the charm. Sometimes 3rd. Sometimes 4th. This with NO changes on our part. And not just my system.

    It's a valid question though.

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