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: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2019-09-18T03:01:51+00:00

    ClaytonMiller, 

    Yes, those workarounds were reported by other users before.

    Nobody has yet identified a common source of the problem.

    For some users the problem is intermittent, for other users it fails consistently and for other users it never fails. 

    Different machine configurations and setting, different USB devices and USB drivers, different programs blocking access to the USB.  There are so many variables and no isolated source for the bug.

    All the workarounds reported look like wudu magic :)

    MS needs to add some diagnostic trap in the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool to isolate the different causes of the error, which seems to be a catch all error code.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2019-05-22T04:52:27+00:00

    Usually, these the growing pains we sometimes experience with a new version, hopefully, over the next few weeks this will sort itself out.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2019-05-22T04:32:23+00:00

    So far, this is the only response that applies as a possible solution. I'm not about to rebuild my own thumb drive to test this idea but I'll do this for the next one I build for a client. Not sure what could be on anyone's drive that would require me to do a CLEAN but it's a simple thing to try. 

    TY and I'll let you know. I'll give you a Solve YES if so.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2019-05-22T03:23:55+00:00

    The Media Creation Tool is for Upgrading Windows10 or for making a bootable USB or DVD to use to install Windows 10 on another computer.

    It is not for just making a USB drive.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments