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The Windows Media Creation Tool is a user-friendly way to upgrade your Windows version from Windows 10 to Windows 11 or even upgrade older Windows versions. But the tool is known to suffer from the error code 0x80072F8F 0x20000, which leaves users scratching their heads over the cause of the problem. This guide sheds light on what could be behind this error and how you can fix it.

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The 0x80072F8F 0x20000 error code is a fairly frequent occurrence when using the Windows Media Creation Tool, with the following prompt appearing on the screen: Were not sure what happened, but were unable to run this tool on your PC. If you continue experiencing problems, reference the error code when contacting customer support. Error code: 0x80072F8F 0x20000.

There can be various reasons for your system not being able to run the tool properly. These are:

Before implementing the fixes described below, make sure that your system meets the minimum requirements to upgrade to the next version. Additionally, your Internet connection needs to be stable, and you should run the Media Creation Tool as an administrator.

Transport Layer Security or TLS 1.1 and 1.2 are internet security protocols that ensure data is encrypted when transferred over networks. TLS was created as an upgrade to Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocols but was later developed as a separate protocol. TLS 1.2 is the latest TLS version, but both TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.1 need to be enabled to make the Media Creation Tool work as intended.

Follow the steps below to ensure TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 are enabled in the registry:

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Sometimes outdated Windows installations can be the reason youre experiencing issues with the Media Creation Tool. Another Windows update-related issue could be that important services are not running properly. Follow the steps below to resolve each of the these issues:

If the previous fixes didnt work, you can try eliminating any programs that are in conflict with the Media Creation Tool. For this, youll need to perform a clean boot to disable all non-necessary services, then run the Media Creation Tool again. Follow the steps below to do so:

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The SoftwareDistribution folder is where Windows stores temporary Windows Update files. By emptying the folder and forcing Windows to update, you can sometimes fix issues that the system is having while accessing Windows Update files.

Another fix you can try is modifying the Auto Update folder in the registry by adding an entry that allows you to upgrade your Windows version. This fix has been known to resolve the 0x80072F8F 0x20000 error for many users. Follow the steps below to do so:

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Yes, there are multiple other ways to upgrade to Windows 11 if youre having issues with the Media Creation Tool or dont prefer using it for some reason. You can download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or the Windows 11 ISO from the Windows 11 download page. While the former can be run like an application in the Windows 10 environment, the latter can be used to create a bootable disc or mounted within the Windows 10 environment.

If youve tried several fixes with no success, you can reset your corrupted Windows 11 or 10 installation to get rid of persistent errors and issues. Our guide linked above will help you reset or reinstall Windows without losing your important data. You can choose to do a soft reset and keep your files while fixing most of the common issues. If a reset doesnt work, you can choose to reinstall Windows to resolve the most deep-rooted OS issues.

Windows 11 requires users to have TPM 2.0, a hardware-based security chip that protects the security and privacy of your data. Many users arent able to upgrade to Windows 11 due to this limitation and may be faced with errors because of it. Check whether your system has TPM 2.0 and enable it. Alternatively, bypass the TPM 2.0 requirement on Windows 11 entirely without compromising your system.

Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Tanveer Singh.

Tanveer hunts far and wide for PC Hardware and Gaming ideas to write about. An MBA in Marketing, he has been writing on Technology, Gaming, and Marketing for over 5 years now. When not scouring the web, he can be found trying to identify the next big Altcoin, running for his life in GTFO, or wrecking karts in Smash Karts.

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How to Fix the Windows Media Creation Tool Error Code ... - Make Tech Easier