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
    2019-07-04T22:06:11+00:00

    Tough this shouldn't be needed and it's not for the novice, what I did has never failed me and you don't need Rufus.

    After the tool errors, leave the error up. Try to open the USB drive. Windows will prompt you to format it. Do this. Open your root drive (C-drive?). Find the folder in the address of the screen shot I posted and copy everything to your USB drive. 

    After you're finished, closing the error will delete the folder off your root drive and you'll have to run the tool and have it download the files all over again.

    Was this answer helpful?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2019-06-19T13:33:39+00:00

    I tried and failed many times, but finally had success by formatting my USB as exFAT instead of FAT32.  I also ran the tool from the USB, although I don't know that had anything to do with success because I had already tried that several times.

    Hope this helps!

    Was this answer helpful?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Neil D 34,280 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2019-05-22T14:02:28+00:00

    When you run the Media Creation Tool have you tried selecting Run as Administrator.?

    Was this answer helpful?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2019-05-22T04:36:33+00:00

    Had 200GB free. So, the error isn't related.

    In the past, if I ran the install again, sometimes the 2nd time or 3rd would work without redownloading the file so, this isn't related.

    Nothing is in compatibility mode so this isn't related.

    Tool should "just work" and I'm not about to walk a client through RUFUS over the phone. The tool should just work.

    Was this answer helpful?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments