Can't install Windows at all

KazeNoKoe23 · 11 May 2016

Hello. A couple of days ago I decided it was time for a fresh install of Windows, but much to my chagrin, I can't seem to reinstall Windows at all now. I keep getting a message at around 50-55% of installing Windows that says "Windows cannot install required files. The file does not exist", usually with an error code of 0x80070002. Sometimes I would get other 0x errors like 0x80070003 or 0x80070037 but the 0x80070002 one would be the most prevalent. Here's a list of what I've tried to install:

Installing Windows 10 made with Media Creation tool and burned to DVD-R: error at 50-55% of "Installing Windows", tells me Windows cannot install required files and that the file does not exist. 0x80070002

Installing Windows 10 made with Media Creation tool and loaded onto a USB drive: same errors as above

Installing an older copy of Windows 8.1 I had laying around: same errors as above

Here's what I've done to try and trace down the problem:

Ran memtest: no errors
Unplugged other SATA devices except SSD: no change
Unplugged unneeded USB devices: no change
Ran a diagnostic on the SSD on another computer: says drive is healthy
Tried different SATA cables: no change
Tried different SATA ports on the motherboard: no change
Changed SATA setting in BIOS from IDE to AHCI: no change
Loaded default settings in BIOS: no change

I should also point out that when the Windows installation fails and I restart the computer, the SSD is no longer detected by BIOS or Windows setup. When I turn the computer off completely and then power it back on, the SSD is detected again.

So, as you can see, I'm running out of things to try. Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated.

dalchina · 12 May 2016

Hello, this may help:
One Possible Fix for Windows 10 Installation Error 0x80070002

- although I note you've unplugged other drives which might mean that's already been covered.

I would also recommend NOT downloading the updates as part of the installation. Why?
a. more chance of some failure during a lengthy process
- note, error 0x80070002 can be reported by Windows update
b. if sthg goes wrong you waste less time
c. the updates can be done once you've established Win 10 is running quite quickly.

Keep AHCI for your SSD when installing.

(Once you have a working configuration, secure it by creating a disk image e.g. Macrium Reflect (free) + boot medium + external storage)

KazeNoKoe23 · 13 May 2016

Thanks for the suggestions. However, I do believe now that my SSD is indeed failing despite the diagnostic I ran on it saying it was still healthy. I tried installing Windows on an old 250GB HDD I had laying around, and it worked without any problems. Guess it's time for a new SSD.

dalchina · 13 May 2016

Worth trying.. some things we can't fix. Hope my SSD lasts a while!

NavyLCDR · 13 May 2016

KazeNoKoe23 said:

Thanks for the suggestions. However, I do believe now that my SSD is indeed failing despite the diagnostic I ran on it saying it was still healthy. I tried installing Windows on an old 250GB HDD I had laying around, and it worked without any problems. Guess it's time for a new SSD.

Try cloning your Windows installation on the 250GB HDD to the SSD using either Macrium Reflect Free or MiniTool Partition Wizard... you want to copy over all the partitions, not just the Windows OS. MiniTool Partition Wizard has a migrate OS function built for that.