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. Neil D 34,280 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2019-05-22T14:42:05+00:00

    Selecting Run as Administrator gives the program slightly different rights within windows. Try it you have nothing to lose.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-05-22T16:10:05+00:00

    If the stick was previously made bootable it will keep that code in it's boot sector until it is wiped clean which his why I suggested that. So you can remove the files, add them back, replace with other bootable installation files, and it will often keep booting due to existing boot sector code not deleted when files are deleted or moved.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-05-22T16:31:24+00:00

    I see. I'll give it a CLEAN a try. I didn't know boot code could survive a format to a thumb drive. Pretty sure it doesn't work that way for any other type of drive but this is news to me.

    Thanks, Greg

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-05-22T16:42:54+00:00

    Just to confirm what is being discussed.  You can replace the files on a drive that is bootable without effecting the ability to boot.  If you remove the partition or reformat it, it will no longer be bootable.

    Maybe I am misreading the conversation.

    If it matters, I tried to do an install with an 8 GB flash drive which failed and gave me a warning regarding SD or USB drive being installed.  The same install when using a 32 GB drive succeeded, which is why I asked about the 32 GB drive.  You may be able to use a 16 GB drive but I did not try.

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