[SOLVED] Win 10 Clean Install: Cannot run Media Creation tool

[dg27]

Miserable day it's been. I'd been hoping to do a clean in stall of Windows 10 today, but no such luck. I'm using the Tom's HW Clean install guide, but cannot get the media creation tool to work.

I'm repeatedly getting this error:

There was a problem running this tool
We're not sure what happened, but we're unable to run this tool on your PC. If you continue experiencing problems,
reference the error code when contacting customer support. Error code: 0x80070424 - 0x90018

I spent hours Googling this and trying all sorts of fixes, mostly involving ensuring that several specific services were set to automatic (they were).
I tried two different blank 30 GB FAT-formatted thumb drives that I know work, tried several different onboard USB ports, but no luck.

I looked at other options to create a bootable USB from an ISO file, but all roads seem to lead to the same process: going through the media creation tool (MediaCreationTool1909). Is there a way to directly download an ISO, save to USB and install from there?

I'm so disgusted that I'm thisclose to paying $150 and just getting the DVD.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[COLGeek]

Is burning an ISO to a DVD and option for you?

What are the specs for the computer you are using to run the Media Creation Tool on?

 

[USAFRet]

Are you running that MCT "As Administrator"?

 

[dg27]

Yes--I made sure of that from the get-go.

I just tried it again: Same result.

 

[dg27]

As a workaround, if you have a valid retail installation DVD, is that tied to the serial number that comes with it?

I plan to upgrade my wife's desktop from Win 7 Home to Win 10 Pro next month, and planned on paying for it.

Can I use a retail DVD and enter my current Win 7 Pro license key instead of the one on the package?

 

[ohio_buckeye]

At least the last few systems I've tried, booting a Windows 10 installer and entering the Windows 7 product key has so far worked. Worth a shot. But who knows if they have stopped allowing you to do that.

 

[dg27]

At least the last few systems I've tried, booting a Windows 10 installer and entering the Windows 7 product key has so far worked. Worth a shot. But who knows if they have stopped allowing you to do that.

Thanks. I just tried downloading an ISO file to another drive and that didn't work either.

 

[COLGeek]

As a workaround, if you have a valid retail installation DVD, is that tied to the serial number that comes with it?

I plan to upgrade my wife's desktop from Win 7 Home to Win 10 Pro next month, and planned on paying for it.

Can I use a retail DVD and enter my current Win 7 Pro license key instead of the one on the package?

There is no relationship between the retail DVD and the product key (other than the types should match, of course).

Just yesterday, I used the last of my Win 7 Pro keys (OEM version purchased several years ago) on a clean install of Win 10 Pro. Worked like a charm and fully activated.

 

[dg27]

Can I use a retail DVD and enter my current Win 7 Pro license key instead of the one on the package?

It looks like this works (from Lifewire):

Can I use someone else's Windows CD/DVD to install Windows on my PC as long as I use my original product key?

Windows product keys are not tied to specific discs or images, only to specific versions of Windows. Use a friend's retail copy of Windows to reinstall Windows on your computer as long as you use your unique product key, without fear that you're violating the license agreement or the Terms of Service.

product key

This may save me a lot of headaches.

 

[USAFRet]

There is no relationship between the retail DVD and the product key (other than the types should match, of course).

Just yesterday, I used the last of my Win 7 Pro (OEM version purchased several years ago) on a clean install of Win 10 Pro. Worked like a charm and fully activated.

Even then, the product level does not necessarily need to match.
A few months ago, I had a Win 10 Home install, unactivated.
Applied an old Win 8.1 Pro license, previously unused.
Result? Activated Win 10 Pro.

 

[dg27]

There is no relationship between the retail DVD and the product key (other than the types should match, of course).

Just yesterday, I used the last of my Win 7 Pro keys (OEM version purchased several years ago) on a clean install of Win 10 Pro. Worked like a charm and fully activated.

That's a huge relief. I have to upgrade five machines, so it sounds like I can use one DVD for all five and just use the unique keys for all of them.

A trip to B&H (my favorite NYC retailer) is in order.

Even then, the product level does not necessarily need to match.

That's good to know since one of the five machines is Window 7 Home (and will stay "Home").

Thanks for your help, COLGeek and USAFRet.

 

[dg27]

Is burning an ISO to a DVD and option for you?

What are the specs for the computer you are using to run the Media Creation Tool on?

Yes, it would be, but I haven't found a way to be able to download the ISO without the MCT. Since I do have to buy one retail Pro version, I think that's the simplest solution.

Dell Studio XPS 9100, i7 960@3.2GHz, 24 GB RAM
Win 7 Pro 64X
Samsung 840 Pro 512 GB SSD boot

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, it would be, but I haven't found a way to be able to download the ISO without the MCT.

Read through here:

How to Download the Windows 10 1909 ISO From Microsoft

Now that Microsoft has released Windows 10 1909, otherwise known as the November 2019 Update, ISO disk images are also available. As it is always a good practice to have the original media for the latest version of Windows 10 available, we will explain how you can download the Windows 10 1909...

www.bleepingcomputer.com

You have to sort of trick the site into giving it up.

 

[dg27]

You have to sort of trick the site into giving it up.

Thanks. If were only doing one machine, I'd consider this route. But since I have five to do (and have to buy one for my wife anyway since I don't want her on Home), I think I'll just get the DVD.

 

[ohio_buckeye]

If you look on eBay, I think there are probably sellers selling just the installer pre made on USB or DVD. Might save you some money to do that and use your keys.

 

[COLGeek]

I just used the MCT to download the ISO with no issues or workarounds at all. Just chose the ISO option and told MCT where to save the ISO.

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks. If were only doing one machine, I'd consider this route. But since I have five to do (and have to buy one for my wife anyway since I don't want her on Home), I think just get the DVD.

If you have a single working Windows system (or a friends system), you can create your own.

 

[dg27]

I just used the MCT to download the ISO with no issues or workarounds at all. Just chose the ISO option and told MCT where to save the ISO.

Tried that and it didn't work.

 

[dg27]

If you look on eBay, I think there are probably sellers selling just the installer pre made on USB or DVD. Might save you some money to do that and use your keys.

Good idea, but I do want to upgrade one of the five machines from Home to Pro (I wouldn't be using the Home key and have to buy a Pro key anyway).

 

[COLGeek]

Where are you located? Are you trying to download from the US site (from Microsoft)?

 

[dg27]

I'm in New York.

Downloading doesn' t seem to be the issue: It's that I cannot use the MCT.

 

[USAFRet]

I'm in New York.

Downloading doesn' t seem to be the issue: It's that I cannot use the MCT.

Why not?

 

[USAFRet]

I get that using the MCT is 'an issue'. But that is the problem that needs to be fixed.

 

[dg27]

I get that using the MCT is 'an issue'. But that is the problem that needs to be fixed.

That's why I'm considering using a retail disk: That wouldn't involve the MCT.

 

[USAFRet]

That's why I'm considering using a retail disk: That wouldn't involve the MCT.

Well, sure.
But why the MCT cannot be used is a different thing. And a very weird thing.

Any fully running Win 10 OS should be able to use that, and create a valid Win 10 USB to install from.