Is it just me, or is the Windows 11 Installation Media Creation Tool broken?

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RubAnADUB@reddit

you use the windows media creation tool? just download the iso file from microsoft and use rufus.

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I guess according to other comments, Windows 10 will not run the Media Creation tool. I saw your comment, downloaded Rufus, and and set up my bootable USB.
I'm hoping I'll get my new build (and first) all set up this week. Thanks for your comment. It may sounds silly, but I didn't know about Rufus prior to this and it took me down a new rabbit hole of info.

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Entegy@reddit

The Microsoft tool makes a universally functional installer USB.

The Rufus dev created a weird FAT32/NTFS install method to avoid having to call dism to split the WIM file that, in my experience, fails to boot on half the machines I've tried.

I'll go with the Microsoft tool.

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i_shirt_u_not@reddit

Good point. Thanks for letting us know.

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meekone420@reddit

Could you give a run down on how to do this if possible?

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Creative-Type9411@reddit

rufus downloads the ISO too, from MS

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RubAnADUB@reddit

I like to do it myself. trust issues.

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timbotheny26@reddit

Do you also verify the hash of the ISO after you download it even though it was directly from Microsoft?

Because I might be doing that tomorrow morning. I'm not paranoid, shut up!

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RubAnADUB@reddit

maybe. shhh dont tell the others.

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ender-_@reddit

No need for rufus, format the drive to FAT32, then copy the content of the ISO to it (if install.wim is too large skip it, then run dism /split-image /imagefile:d:\sources\install.wim /swmfile:e:\sources\install.swm /filesize:3000 (where d: is your mounted ISO file and e: is your USB drive).

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TheBestHawksFan@reddit

If you have the media creation tool already, it’s trivial. Either approach seems valid to me. Rufus is more reliable, but I won’t hold it against anyone to not know about it.

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Funkenzutzler@reddit (OP)

Dunno if it’s related, but Microsoft did confirm the Media Creation Tool is broken for some users: https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-confirms-windows-11-media-creation-tool-is-currently-broken-for-some-users/

That said, i’m not even trying to run it on ARM64. This is happening on plain x64 hardware.

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timbotheny26@reddit

Hope they fix it soon. I know Rufus is an option but I just wanted to keep things straightforward.

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Netii_1@reddit

It's been almost two weeks now and not only have they not managed to fix the problem yet, they couldn't even bother reverting to an older version of the Media Creation Tool that still works.

The sheer incompetence is just staggering.

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Netii_1@reddit

It's been almost two weeks now and not only have they not managed to fix the problem yet, they couldn't even bother reverting to an older version of the Media Creation Tool that still works.

The sheer incompetence is just staggering.

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ContiguovenMeltdown@reddit

I can't download the creation tool nor iso since I get the same error message. Rufus also gives me the same error message. What am I even supposed to do?????

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Funkenzutzler@reddit (OP)

Here it seems it's working again today (ISO download).
So maybe MS fixed it.

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badubadoop@reddit

The Media Creation Tool doesn’t launch on Windows 10, but it does on Windows 11. So if your goal is to create a bootable USB, the fix is to find a relative/friend/colleague with a Windows 11 PC/laptop and set it up using their computer.

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dsyben@reddit

This is the problem. Tried on 3 dif Windows 10 pc and it won't load. Worked on a Windows 11 pc. Beyond retarded.

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Individual-March5844@reddit

glad to know it wasn't only me. So stupid.

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jizzlewit@reddit

This is beyond braindead from Microsoft!

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i_shirt_u_not@reddit

Yes indeed!

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LastYouNeekUserName@reddit

Agree, this is absolute facepalm material

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dedlewamp@reddit

Anyone know if you might be able to do this from macOS? Or does this require a W11 machine to create the USB?

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Ankylar@reddit

I can do this but I am a bit concerned. If I use a relative's laptop and they have a virus or malware would the install be infected and then infect my new PC when using the usb to install Windows?

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ashtn01@reddit

I’m also having these exact issues with the Media Creation Tool. I’ve been pretty unhappy with how unbelievably difficult it has been to upgrade to win 11. Been pulling teeth and going down an infinite tutorial and “solution” reddit threads rabbit hole for about 2 days now lol. I wish Linux could run anti cheat, it’s the only reason i’m not on it. Windows is such a dumpster fire of an OS…

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BlueberryJust2789@reddit

Fxxking Stupid Microsoft released MediaCreationTool.exe without even conducting thorough self-testing. On both Windows 10 and Windows 11, double-clicking it causes an immediate crash without any error message.

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xTidal26@reddit

Didnt work on my Win10 desktop, worked on Win11 laptop in Admin mode, but only after about 5 tries and a restart. Hope that it works...

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Fallingdamage@reddit

Why not just download the iso and use rufus?

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meekone420@reddit

How is this done?

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Fallingdamage@reddit

🤦‍♂️

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meekone420@reddit

Thanks

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Fallingdamage@reddit

Googled it. One of the first hits

https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/software-download/windows11

You can also use google to find the latest version of Rufus. You open rufus, select the iso file, and it puts it on a USB stick for you.

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meekone420@reddit

I tried multiple ways and all I get is cannot complete because certain users or locations are blocked. Idk.

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etherealsignal@reddit

how to download the iso? I used the media tool to download it and than rufus to make the bootable, i tried the ISO official download page and all i get is some hash's, what do i do with them? No download link...

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Bogus1989@reddit

you dont even need the iso, rufus will download it for you.

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etherealsignal@reddit

thanks

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Fallingdamage@reddit

https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/software-download/windows11

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Funkenzutzler@reddit (OP)

That's what i'm doing right now. ;-)

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RB_Canberra@reddit

I experienced the same problem with Windows 11 Media Creation Tool when using Flyoobe versions 1.23 1.24, 1,25..
After spending much time trying to launch Windows 11 Creation Tool with no success and reading many forums with posts from many users experiencing the same problem who tried many different methods to mount ISO 11 which didn't work, I tried something different.

I discovered the reason for this problem relates to Microsoft updating the ISO from version 24h2 to 25h2 in the Windows Media
Creation Tool. I had previously used Flyoobe 1.24 which mounted the earlier ISO version 24h2 with no problems.
Microsoft updated ISO 24h2 approximately 10 days ago which is when everyone started having problems.

The problem I discovered is related to Windows 10 22h2, it will not update Windows 10 using ISO 25h2. If you are trying to update this version of Windows 10 you can only do so with ISO version 24h2. Fortunately, I still had this version down loaded from a previous update and used it in Flyoobe.

If you can find Windows 11 ISO 24h2 you will be able to use it in Flyoobe and mount it, you will have no problem in updating to Windows 11.

/

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userrr_504@reddit

Same issue. I will upgrade my motheroard and need the W11 tool, but it doesn't work :(

I guess I'll go with the ISO.

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vront781@reddit

having the same issue ugh

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Draptor@reddit

I had to right click run as admin, even though opening it normally prompted UAC anyway.

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Funkenzutzler@reddit (OP)

Just tried that. Same behaviour.
I see the Windows Logo for about 2 sec. and then just nothing happens.

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vront781@reddit

did you ever find a solve for this? im getting the same error

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NaturalIdiocy@reddit

Yeah last time I ran it, I had to switch over to an account that was an admin, not just use my admin credentials.

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meekone420@reddit

Still not working..

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Relevant-West-6749@reddit

I was able to use it to create one at work the other day and that PC had Windows 11, but it doesn't work on my home PC which has Windows 10. I think they are just trying to force us all to upgrade :(

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Zescreed@reddit

Same situation here, any fix?

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Zescreed@reddit

Mine just immediately closes as soon as I start the file. Any fix?

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larsonbp@reddit

Yeah I just tried it on 3 different machines (2x win10, 1x win11) and all 3 act exactly the same, it just flashes the Windows logo briefly and then nothing. I thought I was going crazy, perfect timing Microsoft I can't think of any reason someone would want to be making windows 11 install media on 10/04/25.....

Yes, I know rufus will work, but I've always had better long term success using the Media Creation Tool.

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jizzlewit@reddit

It is so infuriating! This is supposed to be a smooth and easy process!

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larsonbp@reddit

It usually is, 2 hours later windows media creation tool worked just fine for me (after Rufus failed) and I will say the new 25H2 installer is pretty sweet. Lots of pre-loaded rst/raid drivers in here.

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timbotheny26@reddit

Hmm, I'll have to give it a try again. Here's hoping it works this time.

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DavidGaynor@reddit

exactly what happened me

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Smoothie928@reddit

Exact same issue for me. Not a good start to the windows 11 experience! 😂 I’ll try Rufus since I’ve seen that suggested in a few places.

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Cold-Vegetable-5675@reddit

literally same

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OG_MikeBone@reddit

I have to upgrade 4 computers at my job to Windows 11. Did one already but wasn’t able to keep files, settings and apps because I had to just download the iso instead of using the creation tool because of this issue. I hope it gets fixed soon

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xSchizogenie@reddit

Take rufus

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Cermmi@reddit

Yeah, tried it on three machines, only windows logo shows up and than nothing...

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lordsiriusDE@reddit

I had the same issue on Thursday when I was trying to in-place upgrade an old Windows 10 VM.

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Creative-Type9411@reddit

use rufus

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timbotheny26@reddit

Oh thank God, there's a post about it here!

Yes, I'm experiencing the same thing as you, and I see other people reporting it as well. Found a post where someone looked in Event Viewer and found an error; looks like something important killing itself:

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Rockz1152@reddit

They probably are updating the tool for 25H2 and pushed a bad build up.

Edit: Just tried it in a VM and no issues.

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Stonewalled9999@reddit

its been updated. I find what works best for me is scroll down and download the ISO and mount the ISO or rufus it. To me its faster than letting the tool get the ESD and then clogged up space by not removing the ESD and wasting cycles making media from the ESD.,

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mcdithers@reddit

I quit using MS upgrade assistants/MCTs. Too many issues, too many times. I just mount the iso and launch setup.

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Bogus1989@reddit

broke for me then i just used rufus built in one

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Commercial_Growth343@reddit

Give OSDCloud a try. You can make a generic usb boot key with it. Works really well

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Funkenzutzler@reddit (OP)

Yeah i've heard good things about OSDCloud. But my brain instantly hears "OSD" and thinks PXE/WDS/SCCM circa 2008. \^\^

Didn't realize it's basically a smart PowerShell-driven USB that pulls down images/drivers on the fly.
Might actually give it a spin, thanks.

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