Forum Discussion
What to do if Windows 11 media creation tool not working？
I've been encountering a persistent problem with the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool. Whenever I attempt to use it to upgrade my system, it either fails to start, crashes midway, or completes without creating a usable media. Specifically, I get the error code 0x80072f8f - 0x20000 during the process.
Additionally, there are times when the tool does not seem to detect the USB drive I intend to use for the installation media. I've ensured my internet connection is stable and have tried running the tool as an administrator, but these steps haven't resolved the issues. Has anyone experienced similar issues or have any advice to share?
I have also encountered similar problems, especially the error code 0x80072f8f - 0x20000, which is really a headache. I tried many times at the time, using administrator privileges, changing networks, and even changing different USBs, but it always didn't work. In the end, I gave up using the tools that come with Windows and switched to WonderISO.
I used WonderISO to create a Windows 11 installation USB drive myself, and it was done in one go. The interface is simple and refreshing, and there is not much operation required. And it is not picky about USB drives, basically any USB drive can be successfully recognized.
I followed this guide (works for me)
https://www.digitstrend.com/create-bootable-usb-windows-11
It is really a good alternative. Give it a try, it may save a lot of trouble!
8 Replies
The 0x80072f8f - 0x20000 error often indicates system time/date issues or TLS-related problems. Ensure your PC's date/time and regional settings are correct. Disable antivirus/firewall temporarily and try again. For USB detection, format the drive to FAT32 using Disk Management or a tool like Rufus. Alternatively, you can obtain a reliable Windows 11 Pro retail key from Microsoft's partner http://s2keys.com/, which provides affordable and legitimate keys.
PedroBitting Also try to turn off VPN or proxy when Media Creation Tool is not working as usual. Proxy servers and VPNs often reroute your internet traffic through different servers, which can introduce latency, reduce connection speeds, or block certain connections. This can prevent the Media Creation Tool from establishing a reliable connection to Microsoft's servers, leading to errors such as 0x80072f8f - 0x20000.
Please temporarily disconnect from any VPN or proxy server you are using and then try running the Media Creation Tool again. By addressing these potential network issues, you increase the chances of the Media Creation Tool successfully connecting to Microsoft's servers and completing the task without errors.
PedroBitting The error code 0x80072f8f - 0x20000 in the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool typically relates to issues with the system's date and time settings, network configuration, or SSL/TLS protocols. This error often arises when the tool tries to connect to Microsoft's servers and fails due to security settings or network problems.
If Windows 11 Media Creation Tool is not working with this error code, you need first check the date and time in settings. An incorrect system date and time can cause SSL/TLS certificates to be considered invalid, leading to connection errors.
Right-click on the clock in the taskbar and select "Adjust date/time". Ensure that the Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically options are enabled. If these options are already enabled and the time is incorrect, disable them and set the time and time zone manually.
If Windows 11 Media Creation Tool not working because usb is not recognized, please make sure the USB drive is at least 8 GB in size and formatted as NTFS or FAT32. Some drives might need to be reformatted before burning Windows 11 ISO to it.
Also try plugging the USB drive into a different USB port on your computer. Avoid using USB hubs or front panel USB ports as they might cause issues.
PedroBitting Windows 11 Media Creation Tool is still not working? Sometimes, the tool might get stuck in a bad state. Try resetting it by deleting the %localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Downloaded Program Files folder and then running the Media Creation Tool again.
Error code 0x80072f8f - 0x20000 is a known issue with the Media Creation Tool. It's often caused by network connectivity problems or issues with the Windows Update service. Some antivirus software might interfere with the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool. Try temporarily disabling it and see if that resolves the issue.
And If the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool is not detecting your USB drive, let me know If you're using a USB hub or an external hard drive, try connecting it directly to a different USB port on your PC.I suspect you may be trying to use the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool USB with an external 2TB hard disk rather than a standard USB flash drive. Note that the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool is primarily designed to make a bootable USB flash drive for installing Windows 11 on your computer. this tool does not support installing Windows 11 directly on an external hard drive. if the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool doesn't work and you want to make your 2TB hard drive bootable and install Windows 11 while preserving other data, you can do this: right-click on "this" hard drive to install Windows 11 while preserving other data.
If the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool not working and you want to make your 2TB hard disk bootable and install Windows 11 while preserving other data, you can do it like this: Right-click on "This computer" and select "Manage" to open "Computer Management". Then, go to Disk Management and try to extend the partition to utilize all the unallocated disk space. In this way, your hard disk will be able to install Windows 11 as well as store other data.
I have also encountered similar problems, especially the error code 0x80072f8f - 0x20000, which is really a headache. I tried many times at the time, using administrator privileges, changing networks, and even changing different USBs, but it always didn't work. In the end, I gave up using the tools that come with Windows and switched to WonderISO.
I used WonderISO to create a Windows 11 installation USB drive myself, and it was done in one go. The interface is simple and refreshing, and there is not much operation required. And it is not picky about USB drives, basically any USB drive can be successfully recognized.
I followed this guide (works for me)
https://www.digitstrend.com/create-bootable-usb-windows-11
It is really a good alternative. Give it a try, it may save a lot of trouble!
