Windows 11 media creation tool not opening on windows 11 laptop with admin access

K 15 Reputation points
2026-11-02T17:15:20.1866667+00:00

I have bought a second hand laptop and need to reinstall windows 11 onto it before I start to use it. On my current windows 11 laptop I am trying to open the media creation tool and it wont open. A box appears on screen saying windows then it disappears after a couple of seconds and nothing else happens.

Can someone help please? I have administrator access

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Install and upgrade
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  1. AI answer

    2026-11-02T17:15:39.96+00:00

    If the Media Creation Tool closes immediately, use the supported alternative: download the Windows 11 ISO or create installation media from another working PC, then reinstall from that media.

    Recommended path:

    1. On a working PC, create Windows installation media.
      • Use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive.
      • If the target PC does not start normally, that same installation media can also be used to boot into Windows Recovery Environment.
    2. If the current laptop still will not run the tool, use the Windows 11 software download page option to get bootable media directly as an ISO for x64 devices.
    3. Before trying again on the current laptop, do these common fixes for installation-tool problems:
      • Unplug nonessential external hardware such as printers, scanners, USB drives, and external hard drives.
      • Install all important Windows updates.
      • Uninstall non-Microsoft antivirus software temporarily.
      • Uninstall nonessential software.
      • Free up enough disk space.
    4. If Windows itself may be damaged, repair system files on the current laptop:
      • Open Command Prompt as administrator.
      • Run: 
             DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
      • After it completes successfully, run: 
             sfc /scannow
      • Wait for the scan to reach 100%, then try the tool again.
    5. To reinstall Windows 11 on the second-hand laptop using installation media:
      • Connect the USB installation media to the laptop.
      • Boot the laptop from the USB media.
      • In Windows Setup, select language and keyboard settings.
      • Select Install Windows 11.
      • Select I agree everything will be deleted including files, apps, and settings.
      • If prompted for a product key, select I don't have a product key.
      • Select the Windows edition that matches the device license.

    Important: reinstalling this way deletes files, apps, and settings on the target laptop.

    If the second-hand laptop does not boot normally, boot from the installation media and select Repair my PC to enter Windows Recovery Environment instead of starting the reinstall immediately.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. DaveM121 945.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-11-02T17:51:12.56+00:00

    When you open the Media Creation tool, the box with Windows appears, do not do anything, you may need to wait for 5+ minutes for the process to start.

    If that does not work, move the Media Creation Tool into another folder, then right click the tool and select 'Run as Administrator'. to test if the tool then runs correctly.

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