How to Fix the Windows Tool That Won’t Open (For Windows 7 and 8 Users)
If you’re upgrading from Windows 7 or Windows 8 to Windows 10 and the upgrade tool won’t launch, don’t panic—this is a common issue on older systems. It usually happens because certain required security settings aren’t enabled, and the tool can’t connect properly.
Follow the steps below carefully. Nothing here removes your personal files.
What you’ll do in this guide:
Turn on the correct security setting so the upgrade tool can communicate properly, clear old update leftovers, restart the PC, and then try the tool again.
Step 1: Open the Registry Editor
Click the Start menu and type regedit, then press Enter. If you see a permission prompt, click Yes.
Step 2: Enable the needed security setting
In the Registry Editor, use the left panel to navigate through the folders in this exact order:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
└── SOFTWARE
└── Microsoft
└── Windows
└── CurrentVersion
└── Internet Settings
└── WinHttp
Right-click WinHttp, then choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name the new value: DefaultSecureProtocols
Double-click DefaultSecureProtocols and set the value to: A00
Click OK, then close the Registry Editor.
Step 3: Remove old update download files
Press Windows + R on your keyboard. In the box that appears, paste:
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
Press Enter. When the folder opens, press Ctrl + A to select everything, then right-click and choose Delete. Confirm any prompts that appear.
Step 4: Restart your computer
Restart your PC and wait for it to boot back up fully.
Step 5: Run the upgrade tool again
Open the Windows 10 upgrade tool you downloaded earlier (often named MediaCreationTool.exe). If it still doesn’t open, right-click it and choose Run as administrator. It should launch normally now.