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Troubleshooting Error 0x80070004-0x3000D: Installation Failed During Data Migration

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Troubleshooting Error 0x80070004-0x3000D: Installation Failed During Data Migration

Encountering errors during a Windows upgrade can be a frustrating experience. One such error, 0x80070004 - 0x3000D, often arises when users attempt to upgrade to the latest version of Windows 11 or Windows 10 using the Media Creation Tool. This particular error typically manifests when users intend to preserve their existing applications and files during the upgrade process. The error message indicates a failure during the data migration phase of the installation, specifically during the MIGRATE_DATA operation.

When this issue occurs, the upgrade process halts, and users are presented with a dialog box displaying the following message:

Windows 11/10 Setup

We couldn’t install Windows 11/10
We’ve set your PC back to the way it was just before you started installing Windows 11/10.

0x80070004 - 0x3000D
The installation failed in the FIRST_BOOT phase with an error during MIGRATE_DATA operation

This error is characterized by the installation process freezing at a certain point and repeatedly failing upon subsequent attempts. Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps that can be taken to resolve this error and successfully complete the Windows upgrade. Let’s explore these solutions in detail.

Resolving Windows 11/10 Upgrade Error 0x80070004 - 0x3000D

If you are facing the error code 0x80070004 - 0x3000D during a Windows upgrade, the following solutions can be attempted. These solutions are presented in no particular order, and it is recommended to try them sequentially to identify the one that resolves the issue in your specific scenario.

  1. Change Computer Name (if applicable)
  2. Verify the location of the Users folder and the state of User Profiles
  3. Create a new Administrator account
  4. Delete the file named TODO
  5. Create or Modify the AllowOSUpgrade registry key
  6. Directly download the Windows 11/10 ISO
  7. Clean install Windows 11/10

Let’s delve into each of these solutions to understand the underlying cause and the steps involved in implementation.

1. Change Computer Name (if applicable)

Certain computer names are known to conflict with the Windows upgrade process, potentially leading to error 0x80070004 - 0x3000D. These names are typically reserved system names and should not be used for identifying computers on a network. If your computer name is one of the following, it is highly likely to be the cause of the error:

  • System (or SYSTEM)
  • LOCAL
  • SELF
  • Network

These names are reserved for system-level operations and using them as a computer name can create conflicts during system upgrades. To resolve this, you need to change the computer name to a unique and non-reserved name. This can be done through the System settings in Windows. After changing the computer name, attempt the Windows 11/10 upgrade again to see if the error is resolved. If the problem persists, proceed to the next solution.

2. Verify the location of Users folder and the state of User Profiles

The Windows upgrade process relies on accessing user profiles located within the Users folder on the system drive (typically drive C). If the Users folder has been moved to a different location, or if user profiles are corrupted, the installer may fail to locate the necessary data, resulting in error 0x80070004 - 0x3000D. This issue can be particularly relevant for users upgrading from older versions of Windows like Windows 7 or Windows 8, where manual relocation of system folders was sometimes practiced.

If you have previously moved system folders such as “Users,” “Program Data,” or “Program Files,” or suspect user profile corruption, it is crucial to address these issues before attempting the upgrade. In severe cases of system folder relocation or corruption, reinstalling or resetting/repairing the current operating system might be necessary.

However, if you haven’t intentionally moved any system folders, user profile corruption is a more likely scenario. To check for and address potential user profile corruption, follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type sysdm.cpl in the Run dialog and press Enter to open System Properties.
  3. Navigate to the Advanced tab within the System Properties window.
  4. In the User Profiles section, click the Settings button.
  5. In the User Profiles dialog, note down all listed user accounts.
  6. Sign out of your current user account.
  7. Attempt to log in to each of the noted user accounts.
  8. If you encounter errors while logging into any account, return to the User Profiles dialog and delete the problematic account.

After addressing any corrupted user profiles, retry the Windows 11/10 upgrade installation. If the error persists, continue with the next troubleshooting step.

3. Create a new Administrator account

Sometimes, issues with the current user account, particularly if it’s corrupted or has incorrect permissions, can interfere with the Windows upgrade process. Creating a new administrator account provides a clean environment for the upgrade and can bypass potential account-specific problems. This approach involves either creating a new local administrator account or enabling the built-in Administrator account, which is typically disabled for security reasons.

Once a new administrator account is created and activated, log into this new account and initiate the Windows 11/10 upgrade from within this environment. This can often resolve error 0x80070004 - 0x3000D if the issue was related to the previous user account’s configuration or permissions. If the error remains, proceed to the next solution.

4. Delete the file named TODO

In some specific cases, the presence of a file named TODO associated with the Orbx program (related to Microsoft Flight Simulator) has been identified as a cause of the 0x80070004 - 0x3000D error. If you have Orbx software installed on your computer, deleting this specific file might resolve the upgrade issue.

To delete the TODO file, follow these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer (or Windows Explorer in older Windows versions).
  2. Configure File Explorer to show hidden files and folders, as well as protected operating system files. This is necessary to access the AppData folder.

  3. Navigate to the following directory:

    C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Orbx
    • Replace C: with the drive where your Windows operating system is installed if it’s different.
    • Replace UserName with your actual user account name.

  4. Within the Orbx folder, check for a file named Todo (case-insensitive).

  5. If the Todo file exists, delete it.
  6. Restart your computer.

After restarting, attempt the Windows 11/10 upgrade again. If the error is still present, proceed to the next solution.

5. Create or Modify the AllowOSUpgrade registry key

The Windows Registry contains configuration settings for the operating system and applications. Modifying certain registry keys can sometimes resolve upgrade issues. In the context of error 0x80070004 - 0x3000D, creating or modifying the AllowOSUpgrade registry key within the Windows Update section can be effective.

Caution: Modifying the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to system instability. It is highly recommended to back up the registry or create a system restore point before proceeding with registry modifications.

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To create or modify the AllowOSUpgrade registry key, follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type regedit in the Run dialog and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

  3. Navigate to the following registry key path using the left-hand pane:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate

  4. In the right-hand pane of the Registry Editor, check if an entry named AllowOSUpgrade exists.

  5. If AllowOSUpgrade exists, double-click it to modify its properties.
  6. If AllowOSUpgrade does not exist, right-click in the blank space in the right-hand pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name the new value AllowOSUpgrade.
  7. Double-click the AllowOSUpgrade entry (whether you created it or it already existed) to edit its properties.
  8. In the “Value data” field, enter 1.
  9. Click OK to save the changes.
  10. Restart your computer.

After restarting, retry the Windows 11/10 upgrade installation. If the error persists, continue to the next troubleshooting method.

6. Directly download the Windows 11/10 ISO

The Media Creation Tool is a common method for upgrading Windows. However, in some instances, using the Media Creation Tool or Windows Update Assistant itself might be the source of the problem. In such cases, directly downloading the Windows 11/10 ISO file from the Microsoft website and using it for the upgrade can bypass potential issues with the tool.

To utilize this method:

  1. Visit the Microsoft website and download the Windows 11/10 ISO image file. Save it to a convenient location, such as your desktop.
  2. Once the ISO file is downloaded, double-click the ISO file to mount it as a virtual drive. This process makes the ISO’s contents accessible as if it were a physical DVD drive.
  3. After mounting the ISO, a new drive letter will appear in File Explorer representing the virtual drive. Open this drive.
  4. Locate the setup.exe file within the virtual drive and double-click it to initiate the in-place upgrade process directly from the ISO image.

Note: If you are upgrading from Windows 7, you might need third-party virtual drive software to mount the ISO image, as Windows 7 does not have built-in ISO mounting capabilities.

By using the ISO image directly, you bypass the Media Creation Tool and rely on the core Windows installation files, which can sometimes resolve issues related to the tool itself. If error 0x80070004 - 0x3000D continues, the final solution is to perform a clean installation.

7. Clean install Windows 11/10

If all the preceding troubleshooting steps fail to resolve error 0x80070004 - 0x3000D, the most definitive solution is to perform a clean installation of Windows 11/10. A clean installation involves completely erasing the existing operating system, applications, and data from your hard drive and installing a fresh copy of Windows.

Warning: A clean installation will erase all data on the system drive. Ensure you have backed up all important files and data before proceeding with a clean installation.

To perform a clean installation, you will typically need a bootable USB drive or DVD containing the Windows 11/10 installation files. You can create this using the Media Creation Tool (if you can access another working computer) or by downloading the ISO and using a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB.

Boot your computer from the USB drive or DVD and follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows. During the installation process, you will be given the option to choose the installation type. Select “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” and then delete all existing partitions on your system drive before proceeding with the installation. This ensures a completely clean installation.

A clean installation eliminates any potential software conflicts, corrupted system files, or configuration issues that might be causing error 0x80070004 - 0x3000D. While it is the most drastic solution, it is often the most effective way to overcome persistent upgrade problems.

Understanding Error Code 0x800707E7 on Windows 11 Update

While this article primarily focuses on error 0x80070004 - 0x3000D, it’s worth briefly addressing a related error code: 0x800707E7. Error 0x800707E7 typically indicates a profile mismatch with the hardware. This often occurs after restoring a system using third-party tools or deploying a “customized” system image from a different computer. In such cases, the restored profile might not be compatible with the current hardware configuration. Troubleshooting 0x800707E7 - 0x3000D may involve addressing profile compatibility issues or considering a clean installation to ensure a consistent system environment.

By systematically applying these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve the 0x80070004 - 0x3000D error and successfully upgrade your system to Windows 11/10. Remember to proceed methodically and back up your data before attempting any major system changes.

If you found these solutions helpful or have any further questions, please feel free to leave a comment below!

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