Windows 10 Install Error 0x80070002

 In Tech Tips

There are a lot of posts on this error message, but not many relating to a Windows 10 clean installation. This computer was all new hardware, and most importantly a new hard drive.

Windows cannot install required files. The files does not exist. Make sure all files required for installation are available, and restart the installation. Error code: 0x80070002

The message gives you an idea that it could be related to a drive that went offline or maybe scratched DVD. Here’s the problem, I wasn’t installing from DVD…

So, it seemed as though the media shouldn’t be the problem. I tried disconnecting any hardware that wasn’t essential, and I still got that crash at random points in the early part of Windows 10 installation. I read several different KB articles and Microsoft community posts and they mostly referred to Windows 10 upgrades.

I ended up downloading Windows 10 and making my own installation media. I used my own USB flash drive, not the Microsoft one.

Here’s a link to the tool: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/home

I would guess that the official Micorosft USB flash drive wasn’t defective as much as an old build of Windows 10. I’m guessing it’s close to the RTM version, not where we are a few months down the road.

 

For what it’s worth, here’s the specs on the system I was working on (just in case someone else Googles this same error on the same hardware:

Motherboard:
990FX KILLER/A/ASRK
Part No: 90-MXGST0-A0UAY1Z

Processor: AMD FX 8350
Frequency: 4.0/4.2GHZ (Base/Overdrive)
Cores: 8
Cache: 8/8MB (L2/L3)
Socket Type: AM3+
Power Wattage: 125W
FD8350FRHKBOX

Memory: G.Skill TridentX F3-2400C10D-8GTX
DDR3-2400 CL10-12-12-31 1.65v
PC3-19200 4Gx2 Intel XMP Ready

Video:ASUS Turbo GeForce® GTX 970 graphics
TURBO-GTX970-0C-4GD5

Power: Corsair CS450M

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Showing 10 comments
  • Luke
    Reply

    I got this same error twice while the USB stick was in one of the front USB headers at the front of the case.

    I turned off the computer and put the stick in the rear USB port and installation completed without a hitch.

    Hope this helps someone.

    • Tylan
      Reply

      I tried different ports. Made no difference for me. My solution was to make new media.

  • Bill
    Reply

    for me works on usb 2.0 but not on usb 3.0

  • Lorene
    Reply

    Switching to a port in the back worked for me – tyvm!
    Now I’m faced with the task of figuring out how to get the pc to see the other 2 TB – I bought a 4 TB HD and have found that it has something to do with MBR and GPT….

  • Simon
    Reply

    Unbelievable!!!! USB 3.0 fails (as did DVD), finally success with USB 2.0 – God I am glad I found this article 🙂

    • Tylan
      Reply

      That’s great, glad it helped!

  • Vanessa
    Reply

    Thank you! Have a MAC thats considered “vintage” and need to use Quickbooks. Wouldnt install through Boot Camp but had to do it through Parallels. Then came up with the same problem Error code. Followed the suggestion up top and now my Windows 10 is installed on Parallels on my “Vintage” MAC 😉

    • Tylan
      Reply

      Sweet! Glad it helped you get everything working!

  • Budd
    Reply

    Wow, thanks so much, I was trying everything with no luck, even in cmd. Didn’t know it was something this simple!

  • Brewzinski
    Reply

    Had the error with a USB 3 flash drive in a USB 3 port. The flash drive had worked in a laptop days before. Realized the laptop had only USB 2 ports. Switched the flash drive from USB 3 to USB 2 port. Clean install went through without issues. Either the flash drive, the PC, or Windows install couldn’t handle USB 3 speeds.

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