Windows 10: media creation tool error 0x80042405 0xa001b

Fourth time i get this error message.

First three were on my computer when installing it on a USB.

Fourth one was on my laptop when installing on USB.

It downloads successfully but fails at a later stage, around 90% last time.

Both my devices are already running Win 10 and the USB stick is brand new, bought specifically for this. I formatted it every time before trying to download win 10 onto it.

:)

 

Media Creation Tool v1903 Error 0x80042405-0xA001B

You can confirm that the usb is not gpt using Diskpart. The command LIST DISK will have a * in the gpt column for any disk or usb that is gpt,

 

Media Creation Tool v1903 Error 0x80042405-0xA001B


Why am I getting Error 0x80042405-0xA001B during the stage it tries to format the USB flash drive after it finishes downloading Windows 10? This happens at around 50% when creating installation media. The only workaround is to download the ISO and use Rufus to write the ISO. This is not a fix but is only a workaround.

 

Media Creation Tool v1903 Error 0x80042405-0xA001B

The error code is different with the 1903 MCT, but I suspect the cause will still the same. I could create a similar failure at the same point in the process back in 2017. That would have been using the 1709 MCT.
This can happen if the usb has previously been formatted as gpt (for example, by Rufus). You can reformat it afterwards, but unless you use something like Diskpart or MiniTools Partition Wizard it is all too easy to leave it as gpt without realising.

USB flash drive --assign drive letter back to dynamic from static