When you attempt to upgrade to Windows 10 from a Windows 7/8 computer using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool, the error 0x80072F8F - 0x20000
may appear. The full error message verbatim is below:
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: 0x80072F8F - 0x20000
Let’s see how to fix this error on Windows 7 and Windows 8.
Important: Information in this article (and the registry fix) is for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8 systems only. They don’t apply to Windows 8.1 and higher!
Cause
The error 0x80072F8F - 0x20000
happens because the Media Creation Tool uses the TLS 1.2 Protocol, but the protocol is disabled by default on Windows 7 and Windows 8 computers. By default, only SSL3 and TLS1 are enabled in Windows 7 and Windows 8. On Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, SSL3, TLS1.0, TLS1.1, and TLS1.2 are enabled by default.
To resolve the Media Creation Tool Error 0x80072F8F – 0x20000 error on Windows 7 and Windows 8 computers, enable the TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 protocols. Follow these steps to do so:
Method 1: Enable TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 via the registry (Windows 7 &
- Make sure your system is fully updated.
- Open Notepad.
- Copy the following lines into Notepad.
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\WinHttp] "DefaultSecureProtocols"=dword:00000a00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\WinHttp] "DefaultSecureProtocols"=dword:00000a00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols\TLS 1.1\Client] "DisabledByDefault"=dword:00000000 "Enabled"=dword:00000001 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols\TLS 1.2\Client] "DisabledByDefault"=dword:00000000 "Enabled"=dword:00000001
- Save the file with a .reg extension — e.g.,
enable_tls.reg
- Double-click the
enable_tls.reg
file to apply the settings into the registry. Click Yes when asked for confirmation. - Download the KB3140245 package (TLS 1.1/1.2 enablement update) from Microsoft and install it.
- Restart Windows.
- Download registry files: If you wish to download premade registry file(s), download enable-tls.zip. Unzip and run the enclosed file enable_tls.reg. To reverse/undo the setting to Windows 7/8 defaults, run the
undo.reg
registry file.
(Credits to Markus for the fix.)
Method 2: Easy Fix (for Windows 7)
The above registry fix was created incorporating the suggestions in the Microsoft article titled Update to enable TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 as default secure protocols in WinHTTP
The article talks about the Microsoft Update with will enable TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 support via KB3140245 package. Here are the instructions:
- Download the KB3140245 package. Don’t run it yet.
- Download the “Easy Fix” executable via the above link (direct download) and run it. The fix will create the
DefaultSecureProtocols
registry value which is a prerequisite for the Microsoft update. - Now run the KB3140245 .msi package you downloaded in Step 1.
This automatically enables TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 on the computer.
Re-run the Media Creation Tool now. It should work now!
Editor’s note
Note that the Easy Fix sets the “DefaultSecureProtocols
” registry value only; it doesn’t write to the SCHANNEL
registry location. But the manual registry fix in “Method 1” above does both! So, if you’ve explicitly disabled the TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 protocols via the SCHANNEL
registry modification (e.g., by using the nisudf.reg registry fix to resolve a game/server connectivity issue), then the “Easy Fix” tool won’t help. You need to use “Method 1” in that case.
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The error may arise due to essential services not starting correctly, conflict of applications, and interference of the third-party antivirus, which prevents the installation of Windows. These are the most common contributor factors that can trigger 0X80072F8F – 0X20000.
More reasons can be included for causing this issue. We have listed some main of them below:-
- Not having Administrator Privileges- If you do not have proper administrator privileges, you may not be able to install Windows. Without administrator privileges, you cannot make significant changes to your system.
- TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 are Turned Off- TLS provides security for sending data to applications on the internet. As per the research, if the TSL1.1 and TSL 1.2 are disabled, you might face this Error Code 0X80072F8F – 0X20000 while upgrading Windows to the latest.
- Incompatible System Requirements- Having conflicting system requirements can also run users into this issue, so ensure you are not missing any requirements that can cause problems.
- Absence Of Essential Services- If the Windows services don’t start properly at the startup, many problems may occur such as this one.
- Unstable Internet Connection- If your internet is not stable, you may likely get errors like this. So if the internet causes this issue, you have to wait until the internet gets stable.
1. Check Minimum Requirements
Having incompatible system specifications can lead you to this error code. Make sure you are compatible with the minimum requirements of the operating system. You can search on Google to check the minimum requirements.
2. Make sure the Internet Connection is Stable.
The error may arise due to an unresponsive or unstable internet connection. You can check internet speed through your browser. If your internet speed is less than 2 Mbps, you are suffering from a bad network connection. If the speed is good, you can proceed to other solutions; otherwise, wait for the internet to stabilise.
3. Run as Administrator
For doing the significant changes to the computer system, it is mandatory to have proper administrator privileges because when the users don’t have administrator privileges on their accounts, they might not be able to complete major tasks.
Here are the steps to run the programs in administrator mode:-
Right-click on Media Creation Tool and select Run as Administrator from the listed options.
4. Edit Registry File
If we look into the forums, modifying the registry files will help in eliminating Error code 0X80072F8F – 0X20000. To do this, you have to enter into the Registry a database for the operating system to store low-level settings. It is best to create a registry backup before proceeding because if something goes wrong, you will atleast have a backup to restore it. Here are the steps:-
- Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open a run dialog box
- Type regedit in the box and press Enter
Launching Registry - Once the Registry is opened, navigate to the following path
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update
- Now right-click on the empty space and hover the over New
- Select DWORD (32-bit) from the listed option and name it as AllowOSUpgrade
Select DWORD (32-bit) - Double click on the file and change its value data to 1
Change Value Data to 1 - Once done, press OK to save the changes then check if the issue persists.
5. Perform Clean Boot
Performing a clean boot is the process that is used to eliminate software and driver conflicts. It is a way to start Windows with the essential services and minimum drivers. By performing a clean boot, you can resolve Error Code 0X80072F8F – 0X20000. Here is how you can do this:-
- Click the Start Menu, and type Msconfig in the search bar
Open System Configuration - Open system Configuration and select the Selective Startup, then untick the option Load Startup Items
Performing Clean Boot - After that, go to the Services tab from the top and tick the option Hide All Microsoft Services
- Then click Disable All from the right and press OK
Disabling Irrelevant Services at Startup - Once done, restart your computer and check if the Error code 0X80072F8F – 0X20000 is resolved
6. Clear the Software Distribution Folder
A Software Distribution is a folder that stores temporary Windows files that may require installing Windows Updates. If we look from the other side, sometimes the system cannot access Windows Updates files, which can cause this Error code 0X80072F8F – 0X20000. So clearing the software distribution folder may resolve this issue. Below are the steps:-
- Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to launch the Run Window.
- Type the following path and hit enter or copy and paste it into the box
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
Launching Software Distribution Folder - Here delete all the files by pressing Ctrl + A and then the Delete button on the keyboard
Removing Software Distribution files - Once you deleted them, click Start Menu and type Command Prompt, then right-click command prompt and choose Run as Administrator
Running Command Prompt with Administrator Privileges - Once the command prompt loads up put the following command and hit enter
wuauclt.exe /updatenow
Forcing Windows to update - Once done, restart your computer for the changes to take effect and check if the Media Creation Tool Error code 0X80072F8F – 0X20000 persists.
7. Enable TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2
TLS or Transport Layer Security 1.1 and 1.2 are the security protocol versions used to establish encrypted connections to send data into the applications over the network. It has been seen that the error can occur due to disabled TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2. To fix this, you must enable it by following the instructions below:-
- Create a Registry Backup first, then open the notepad and paste the code mentioned below
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\WinHttp] "DefaultSecureProtocols"=dword:00000a00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\WinHttp] "DefaultSecureProtocols"=dword:00000a00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols\TLS 1.1\Client] "DisabledByDefault"=dword:00000000 "Enabled"=dword:00000001 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols\TLS 1.2\Client] "DisabledByDefault"=dword:00000000 "Enabled"=dword:00000001
- After copying the code, click File from the top then click Save As
Saving File - Save the file with the .reg extension.
- Once done, double-click on the file to apply the settings in the Registry
Run the Registry File to Apply changes - Click Yes if asked for confirmation and restart Windows, then check if the issue gets resolved.
- For Windows 7 users, download the KB3140245 package from Microsoft that comes with TLS 1.1 and 1.2
8. Restart Relevant Windows Services
Another solution for this is restarting the Windows update service. If the Windows Update service gets stopped due to a conflict of services, this error may appear on the screen. Below are the steps to restart the Windows update:-
- Press Windows + R keys to open the Run Dialog Box
- Type services.msc and press Enter
Open Services - Once the service page opened, please scroll down to Windows Update service and right-click on it to select Properties
Opening Service Properties - Now change the startup type from Manual to Automatic
- If the service is stopped, click on the Start button, then click Apply and press OK
Change Service Startup Type to Automatic - Now repeat the same process for the mentioned services below
Background Intelligent Transfer Service Server Workstation TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules
9. Reset Windows Update Component Services
If none of the methods worked, you could try resetting the Windows Update Component, which is used to update the operating system. Follow the steps to reset Windows component services:-
- Click Start Menu, and type Command Prompt
- Right-click on the command prompt and choose Run as Administrator
Running Command Prompt with Administrator Privileges - Now insert the following commands to reset Windows services
net stop bits net stop wuauserv net stop appidsvc net stop cryptsvc
Reset Windows Update Component Services
10. Run Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup is a utility introduced to counter any corruption in Windows that may lead to errors. It is also used to free up the space by removing the unnecessary files, cache files and the files you rejected, which end up in the recycle bin. Below are the steps to run the Disk Cleanup utility.
- Open File Explorer and right-click on C Drive
- Select Properties from the options menu
Launching Disk Properties - Click Disk Cleanup and wait for the page to load up
- Check mark all the files and press OK to delete
Removing Unnecessary Files From System - Once done, check if the issue persists.
11. Download Windows ISO File
Another solution for this issue is downloading the ISO file from the official website. Downloading the Windows IS0 file will fix this issue. below are the steps that will help you in this:-
- Download the IOS file of the operating system from the Windows Media Creation Tool
- Once the download is finished, right-click on it and select Mount
Mount ISO Files - Now run the Windows setup as an administrator, and this will start upgrading Windows to the latest.
12. Install Windows Using External Device
You can install Windows from an external device such as a mobile, laptop or computer. We have mentioned the steps for both devices, that may help you to install Windows through external devices.
12.1. Install Windows Using Mobile Phone
- Download Windows Media Creation Tool
- Once the downloading is finished, run the media creation tool
- Accept the notices and license terms, then select the radio option named Create Installation Media for Another PC and press Next
configuring Windows Setup - On the next screen, make sure the option Use the recommended options for this PC is checked, then click Next
Leave the Recommended option selected - Select the option named IOS File and click Next
Select ISO - Choose the destination where you want to install Windows ISO File
Downloading ISO File - Once done, click Save, and it will start creating Windows ISO.
- Now it’s time to transfer the Windows ISO file to your mobile phone. Use the USB cable to transfer the file to an easily remembered folder.
- Once you transfer it, download DriveDroid
Install DriveDroid - Open the DriveDroid, and it will request the root access that you will grant
Grant the Root Access - Now tap on CONFIGURE IMAGE DIRECTORY and select the folder where you copied the Windows ISO file
Configure Image Directory - Now connect your mobile phone to your computer and choose the Standard Android Kernel
Selecting Standard Android Kernel - On the next screen, select Android Shows Up On OS and click Next
Select Android Shows Up On OS Note: If the device does not appear on your computer, then select Choose a Different USB System and try again
- Select Booted Successfully using DriveDroid then click Next. Again click Next to finish the process
- Now go back to the homepage where Windows 10 ISO might already feature. If not, then tap the Gear Icon from the top right corner and select Image Directories
Select Image Directories - Select the last directory and tap the red circle icon from the bottom right corner then browse the folder which contains the ISO file. Select ISO file.
Configure DriveDroid - Go back to the DriveDroid homepage
- Then, select the Windows ISO file and choose Host Image Using CD-ROM
Host Image Using CD-ROM - After that, connect your device to the computer with the USB cable and shut down your computer
- Now turn on the computer and enter a boot menu by pressing the shortcut keys. Usually, F10, F11, F12, and Delete keys are used to access the boot menu
- Note: If you cannot find it, you may need to visit the manufacturer’s website.
- When the boot menu opens, select the boot device named similar to Linux File-CD Gadget, or it can be named as your mobile name
- After that, Windows will boot normally, and you can install a clean version of your Windows.
Installing Windows
12.2. Install Windows from the other Computer
- Download Windows Media Creation Tool and run it on your computer
- Accept the terms and conditions and select Create Create Installation Media for Another PC and press Next
Create Installation Media for Another PC - Make sure the option named Use the recommended options for this PC is checked
- Leave the USB Flash Drive is selected and press Next
Select USB Flash Drive - It should Start downloading Windows OS. Once done, unplug the USB flash drive from the computer and plug it into the problematic computer
- Shutdown, the computer, then turn it on
- Once the loading screen appears, press the Boot Menu keys on the keyboard, such as F12 and Delete. If you are not sure, you can go to your manufacturer’s website
- Once the boot menu loads up, select the USB pen driver
Select USB Pen Drive - Then Window will boot, and you can install a clean version of the Windows OS.
Hamza Mohammad Anwar
Hamza Mohammad Anwar is an intermediate JavaScript web developer with a focus on developing high-performance applications using MERN technologies. His skill set includes expertise in ReactJS, MongoDB, Express NodeJS, and other related technologies. Hamza is also a Google IT Certified professional, which highlights his competence in IT support. As an avid problem-solver, he recreates errors on his computer to troubleshoot and find solutions to various technical issues.
Are you also dealing with Microsoft Media Creation Tool’s error code 0x80072F8F 0x20000 and looking for a guide to help you fix it? If yes, you have stumbled upon the right webpage. 👍
Error code 0x80072F8F 0x20000 is a very common error code that people see when they try to upgrade their Windows OS using Media Creation Tool. This error code can be frustrating as it prevents you from upgrading your OS.
The worst part here, however, is that there is no official information from Microsoft that clearly explains why this error code triggers. Thankfully, there are some workarounds that you can follow to fix the error in no time.
This article covers detailed information about what this Media Creation Tool error code 0x80072F8F 0x20000 means, why it occurs, and most importantly, how to fix it.
So, without any further ado, let’s get started.
What is Error Code 0x80072F8F 0x20000, and why does it occur?
Even though there is no official statement about this error code 0x80072F8F 0x20000 and why it occurs, it is believed that this error gets triggered when the server that Microsoft Media Creation Tool tries to communicate with no longer supports the old TLS 1.0 security protocol for communication.
However, it is just speculation based on the troubleshooting solutions that have worked for a majority of users that were dealing with the same error.
Besides that, the other possible causes that could trigger this error code 0x80072F8F 0x20000 on Media Creation Tool are:
- Corrupted Cache or Temporary Files – The process of downloading and executing installation files creates some cache and temporary files on your computer. Even though these files are important, if corrupted, they could interfere with Microsoft Media Creation Tool and trigger this error.
- Conflict between Third-Party Apps – Sometimes, third-party apps installed on your computer may cause conflict with the Microsoft Media Creation Tool, and as a result, you will encounter this error.
- Lack of Admin Privileges – Since Microsoft Media Creation Tool makes system-level changes, it needs admin privileges. If you are currently running your machine as a guest user or not providing this tool admin access, it could be the reason you are facing this error code 0x80072F8F 0x20000.
- Incompatible System Requirements – To upgrade your Windows OS, your device must meet minimum system requirements to properly install the OS. If your current system specification isn’t compatible with the Windows OS version you want to upgrade to, you may encounter this error.
- Lack of Essential Services – Most of the time, errors like error code 0x80072F8F 0x20000 can occur due to the lack of essential services that are required for programs like Microsoft Media Creation Tool to function properly.
- Poor Internet Connection – Many people have reported that they were facing this error because of an unstable internet connection. This may not be the case for everyone, but if your internet connection isn’t stable, it would be a great idea to restart the OS upgrade process once your internet connection gets stable and starts delivering decent speed.
Now that you know the possible reasons that could’ve triggered this error, let’s discuss some of the best workarounds you can apply to fix it.
Ways to Fix Error Code 0x80072F8F 0x20000
As stated above, Microsoft has no official clarification about what triggers this error. Therefore, our workarounds are based on solutions that have worked for other Windows users with the same error.
As I mentioned, the Microsoft Media Creation Tool helps you update your Windows OS and thus makes system-level changes. Therefore, it requires Admin privileges and rights, and the lack of Admin access can be a possible reason you are facing this error.
This error may trigger because the user account that you are currently using doesn’t have administrative rights. In such a scenario, running the Microsoft Media Creation Tool as an Administrator may fix the error.
To run Media Creation Tool as an administrator, you need to follow these simple steps –
- First, navigate to the folder where you have stored the Microsoft Media Creation Tool file.
- Locate the Media Creation Tool file and right-click on it.
- From the context menu, select the Run as administrator option.
- A UAC prompt will appear on your screen, asking you to confirm your decision. Simply select the Yes button to confirm.
That’s it. This is how you can give Microsoft Media Creation Tool administrative rights.
Now, check if the issue has been resolved. If it isn’t, try following the next workaround.
Enable TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2
This is one of the most widely observed reasons people encounter this error code 0x80072F8F 0x20000. This could be because your computer might have a dated TLS version enabled.
TLS allows you to establish secure and encrypted connections over the internet. Most outdated Windows computers only have TLS 1.0 and SSL3 enabled.
Microsoft, on the other hand, uses upgraded TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 security protocols for its servers.
This incompatibility of TLS versions can be the reason that every time your computer tries to establish a connection with a Microsoft server, the connection fails and shows the error code 0x80072F8F 0x20000.
To fix this error, you must enable TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2.
There are two ways you can do that.
- Enable from Internet Settings using the GUI.
- Make changes in the registry.
We have covered both of these methods below.
Enable TLS 1.1, TLS 1.2, and TLS 1.3 using GUI
To enable all these TLS versions using GUI, you need to follow these simple steps –
- First of all, launch the Run window. For this, press the Win+R buttons on your keyboard.
- Type
inetcpl.cpl
and hit enter. This will launch the Internet Properties window for you.
- Go to the Advanced Tab.
- Scroll down on the list of Settings and select TLS 1.1, TLS 1.2, and TLS 1.3.
- Click on the OK button to save all the changes that you made.
- Now, click on the Apply button to apply all the changes.
- Restart your computer.
After that, rerun the Media Creation Tool to see if it has resolved the error.
If you can’t see TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 on the list, you can only enable these versions by making changes in the registry file.
Enable TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 by making changes in Registry
Disclaimer – Before proceeding further, let me clearly warn you that this method makes changes in the registry, which may become risky if something goes wrong. I strongly recommend creating a backup of the current registry.
Follow these simple steps to create a backup of the current registry –
- First of all, launch the Run command. For this, you need to press the Win+R key on your keyboard.
- In the comment box, type
regedit
and hit Enter key. This will open the Registry Editor.
- Now, click on the File tab, and click on the Export option from the drop-down menu.
- Export the Registry file and save it to any of the folders of your choice.
That’s it. You have successfully created a backup of your registry.
Now, follow these steps to make changes in the Windows registry settings –
- First of all, launch Notepad.
- Now, copy this code and paste it into Notepad –
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\WinHttp]
"DefaultSecureProtocols"=dword:00000a00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\WinHttp]
"DefaultSecureProtocols"=dword:00000a00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols\TLS 1.1\Client]
"DisabledByDefault"=dword:00000000
"Enabled"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols\TLS 1.2\Client]
"DisabledByDefault"=dword:00000000
"Enabled"=dword:00000001
- Now, save this file with a .reg extension. You can do that by typing the
update TLS.reg
in the File name box and selecting All files from the Save as type list.
- Now, locate this file on your Windows machine.
- Double-click on it to execute the file and apply registry settings.
- If the UAC prompt appears, click on the Yes option.
- Once the file is executed properly, restart your computer.
Once your computer reboots, it will have TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 enabled.
Now, launch the Media Creation Tool to check if the error code 0x80072F8F 0x20000 has been fixed. If not, try the following workaround.
Make sure your computer meets the Minimum System Requirements
If you are still facing this error, it could be because of your system’s configuration.
This error may occur if your computer specification doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements to run the Windows OS you want to upgrade.
If you are not sure if this is the reason, simply cross-check your system’s configuration with the below-shared requirements of Windows 10 and 11.
To upgrade to Windows 10, the minimum system requirements are as follows –
- Processor – 1 GHz or faster processor
- RAM – 1 GB for 32-bit and 2 GB for 64-bit OS
- Hard Disk – 16 GB for 32-bit or 20 GB for 64-bit OS
- Graphics card – Compatible with DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
The minimum system requirements for Windows 11 are –
- Processor – 1 GHz or faster processor with a minimum of 2 cores
- RAM – 4 GB or higher
- Hard Disk – 64 GB or higher
- Graphics card – Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
Restart Windows Services
If your machine meets the minimum system requirements, yet you are facing this error, there are chances that some Windows services might be the culprit.
In this scenario, you can follow the below-shared workaround to restart Windows services to see if it fixes this error for you –
- First of all, launch the Command Prompt as an administrator. You can do that by pressing Win+R, typing
cmd
into the box, and then hitting CTRL+Shift+Enter simultaneously.
- After that, type these commands shared below one by one and hit Enter after each command. These commands will stop all Windows services, including Windows Update, Background Intelligent Transfer Services, Application Identity, and Cryptographic Services.
net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop appidsvc
net stop cryptsvc
- Once stopped, you also need to restart these services. For this, you have to run these commands shared below one by one, each followed by the Enter key.
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start appidsvc
net start cryptsvc
- Once all the commands have been executed, type
exit
in the Command Prompt and hit enter.
Run the Media Creation Tool again with administrative access to see if restarting Windows services has fixed the error.
Allow OS Upgrade from Windows Registry
Disclaimer – Making any changes in the registry can be fatal. Therefore, I’d recommend you create a backup file of the current registry to avoid any risk. Besides that, I’ll also recommend following the steps very carefully.
Another possible reason you are dealing with error code 0x80072F8F 0x20000 could be that your computer’s Windows policy isn’t allowing you to upgrade the OS. In such a scenario, you can make changes in the Windows registry to allow your OS to be upgraded.
Here is how you can do that:
- First of all, launch the Run dialog box. You can do that by simply pressing the Win+R key.
- Now, type
regedit
and hit Enter.
- Directly paste the following path into the navigation bar and hit enter.
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update
- You have to right-click on the Auto Update, select New, create a DWORD file, and name it AllowOSUpgrade.
- Double-click on this recently created file, set its Value Data to 1, and click the OK button.
- Restart your computer.
That’s it. The changes have been applied, and now all you have to do is run the Media Creation Tool to check whether the error has been fixed.
Clear SoftwareDistribution Folder
As already explained, sometimes, error code 0x80072F8F 0x20000 may get triggered because of corrupted caches and temporary files. If the workarounds mentioned above haven’t worked for you, you can try clearing files from the SoftwareDistribution folder.
Why this folder specifically? Well, that is because whenever you try to install a Windows update, all the temporary files required for the installation get stored within a sub-folder of this SoftwareDistribution folder.
Here, you can clear the SoftwareDistribution folder on your PC and fix the error code 0x80072F8F 0x20000.
- First of all, launch the Command Prompt. You can do that by pressing Win+R, typing
cmd
into the box, and then hitting CTRL+Shift+Enter.
- Now, you have to stop Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer Services. For this, you can type the following commands one by one, each followed by Enter key –
Net Stop wuauserv
Net Stop bits
Don’t close the Command Prompt, as we’ll have to restart these services again.
- Launch the Windows File Explorer. You can do that simply by pressing the Win+E key.
- Enter the below-shared path in the address bar and hit Enter.
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
- Select all the files inside this folder and delete them. You can do that simply by pressing the CTRL+A and then the Del key. If asked for Administrative Permissions, select the Continue option.
- Get back to Command Prompt to restart the services that we stopped earlier. For this, just type below shared commands one by one, each followed by the Enter key –
Net Start wuauserv
Net Start bits
Now, restart your computer and rerun the Media Creation Tool to see if the issue persists.
Perform a Clean Boot
Sometimes, apps in the background that have been running for quite a long temporarily block or create conflict with some services that are essential for the Media Creation Tool.
If that’s the case with you, you can perform a clean boot to temporarily close these unnecessary apps so they don’t affect the Media Creation Tool.
To perform a clean boot on Windows, you need to follow these simple steps –
- First of all, launch the Run window. You can do that by pressing the Win+R keys.
- Type
msconfig
and hit Enter. It will take you to the System Configuration app.
- In the General tab, you have to select the Selective Startup option. Make sure to uncheck the Load startup items option.
- After this, click the Services tab and check the Hide all Microsoft Services option.
- Now, click on the Disable All button.
- Click on the Apply button and then the OK button to save all the changes you made.
After that, restart your PC and rerun the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to see if the error has been fixed.
Make sure your internet is good and stable
Since the Media Creation Tool downloads system files, it requires a stable internet connection.
If the connection is disruptive or unstable, it may result in the form of error code 0x80072F8F 0x20000. Therefore, ensure your internet connection is stable and delivers a decent speed.
Free Up Disk Space
Microsoft Media Creation Tool, by default, uses your C Drive to download and store installation files. Therefore, if your C Drive doesn’t have sufficient space to download the system files, you may face this error.
In such a scenario, consider freeing up some space on your C Drive so that all the OS upgrade-related files can be downloaded and executed properly without any issues.
There you have it – a detailed article covering how to fix error code 0x80072F8F 0x20000 on Windows 10/11.
Since there isn’t any official statement from Microsoft that explains why this error occurs, it is difficult to suggest a solution that may work for everyone. Therefore, you have to go for the hit-and-try method.
To make things easier for you, I have compiled a list of workarounds that have worked for other users. I hope this will help you troubleshoot this error.
Also, check some of the registry hacks to help improve your Windows 11 experience.
Media Creation Tool
Error 0x80072F8F – 0x20000 in Windows 7
You will face this Error when you trying to Upgarde your Windows 7 to Windows 10 using Media Creation Tool provided by Microsoft and you will this Erro Code- 0x80072F8F — 0x20000
Complete Error Message:
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: 0x80072F8F — 0x20000
Root Cause of this issue:
Media Creation Tool uses the TLS 1.2 Protocol, but the protocol is disabled by default on Windows 7 and Windows 8 computers. By default, only SSL3 and TLS1 are enabled in Windows 7 and Windows 8. On Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, SSL3, TLS1.0, TLS1.1, and TLS1.2 are enabled by default.
To FIX this Issue Completely, follow below mention steps:
Important: Make sure you have installed Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) on your Computer as per your system type (32bit or 64bit):
Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows 7 is now available and this Service Pack is an update to Windows 7. This is the most important Upate and most important step.
Windows 7 Service Pack (SP1) make your computer more safer and more reliable to use.
Windows 7 Service Pack (SP1) includes new virtualization capabilities with Dynamic Memory and Microsoft RemoteFX.
Download and Install Windows 7 Service Pack 1 if you don’t have on your computer:
After that, follow the below mention steps:
Step 1- Download the “Easy Fix”
Step 2- Install Easy Fix
Step 3- Then Download the KB3140245 package
Step 4- Install KB3140245.msi package
Step 5- Restart your System
That’s It..Enjoy
Now you can easyly Upgrade your Windows 7 to Windows 10 without any Error.
Thank you.
Please check below mention Video for more details:
Ошибка 0x80072f8f 0x20000 появляется при двух распространенных ситуациях. Первая из них – при обновлении с Windows 7 до более свежей версии или просто при установке Windows 10. Вторая частая ситуация заключается в появлении ошибки при запуске Media Creation Tool. Причины появления, как и особенности проявления в каждой них, будут разными. Но есть и хорошая новость, она заключается в том, что есть довольно четкое представление об ошибке и эффективное решение к каждой вариации проблемы.
Почему появляется ошибка 0x80072f8f 0x20000?
Нам придется разделять две ситуации появления ошибки. Хотя они и имеют идентичный код, но во всем остальном сильно отличаются. Основная причина сбой с кодом 0x80072f8f 0x20000 при установке Windows 10 – отсутствие поддержки протоколов безопасности TLS. В Windows 7 Service Pack 1 по умолчанию включена поддержка только TLS 1.0. Сейчас же сервера Microsoft более не поддерживают столь устаревший стандарт. Требуется версия TLS 1.1 и TLS 1.2, которые по умолчанию отключены в старой операционной системе Windows 7. Их включение должно исправить проблему.
Если ошибка появляется при обновлении Windows, в основном через официальную утилиту Media Creation Tool, то проблема в некорректных файлах обновления. Видимо, система пыталась загрузить файлы для апдейта, но они оказались поврежденными. Нужно принудительно удалить их.
Как исправить ошибку 0x80072f8f 0x20000 при установке Windows 10?
Как мы и писали, нам нужно заставить Windows 7 работать с TLS 1.1 и TLS 1.2. Это вполне реально сделать, если подкорректировать реестр операционной системы. Можно запустить Windows в безопасном режиме и сделать необходимые изменения. Это можно сделать вручную, но есть и более быстрый способ – запустить файл. Нам нужен один из файлов Microsoft, вот ссылка. Скачиваем его, запускаем и через пару секунд исправления должны быть внесены. Можно перезагружать ПК и снова пытаться установить Windows 10.
Что нужно сделать вручную:
- Нажимаем комбинацию Win + R, вводим regedit и нажимаем Enter.
- Идем по пути HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols\TLS 1.1\Client.
- Изменяем значение параметра DisabledByDefault на 0 (если его нет, то просто создаем его).
- Переходим в ветку HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols\TLS 1.2\Client.
- Тоже создаем или изменяем существующий параметр DisabledByDefault в значение 0.
Важно! Есть еще один интересный способ – запустить установку через ISO. Для этого нужно войти на сайт Microsoft с клиентом Windows и скачать его. Обязательно следует использовать для этого телефон. Затем передаем файл на ПК и запускаем его. У многих такое решение сработало.
Как исправить ошибку при обновлении через Media Creation Tool?
Для решения проблемы нужно зачистить файлы в одной из важных директорий, а также запустить обновление другим способом.
Пошаговая инструкция:
- Переходим по пути C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download.
- Удаляем все файлы, которые хранятся в этой папке.
- Кликаем правой кнопкой мыши по Пуску и выбираем «Командная строка (администратор).
- Вводим команду wuauclt.exe /updatenow.
Теперь вы знаете, что делать, если появляется ошибка 0x80072f8f 0x20000 при разных обстоятельствах. Включение поддержки TLS 1.1 и новее поможет успешно завершить установку операционной системы, а очистка файлов и обновление через консоль избавит от неполадки при апдейте Windows.
Будем рады увидеть ваши комментарии в отношении данной ошибки. Давайте вместе сделаем статью максимально полной.