Upgrading from Windows 7 and Windows 8 to Windows 10 and then to Windows 11 is still free from Microsoft. If you have a PC or laptop with Windows 7 or Windows 8 and want to upgrade to Windows 10 for free, you can download and try the "Media Creation Tool" from Microsoft.
Media Creation Tool Error 0x80072F8F - 0x20000
However, if you run the Media Creation Tool on Windows 7 and Windows 8 recently, you almost always receive an error message "Problem running this tool" with the error code 0x80072F8F - 0x20000, after which the program terminates.
Solution: Enable TLS1.2 in Windows 7 and 8
To run the Media Creation Tool in Windows 7 and Windows 8 and receive a free upgrade to Windows 10, you need to enable the TLS1.2 encryption protocol in Windows 7 and Windows 8, which is unfortunately disabled by default. The tool works without issues on Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11.
Step 1. Download Microsoft Media Creation Tool
First, download the Microsoft Media Creation Tool here from Microsoft .
Step 2. Windows 7 and 8 Registry Extension
To enable TLS1.2 in Windows 7 and Windows 8, you need to modify the Windows 7 and Windows 8 registry. The following entries need to be added to the registry (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE) of Windows 7 or 8. Copy the entire text from the field with the mouse into a text editor and save the file under a name of your choice, e.g., "tls_activate.reg".
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\WinHttp] "DefaultSecureProtocols"=dword:00000a00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\WinHttp] "DefaultSecureProtocols"=dword:00000a00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols\TLS 1.1\Client] "DisabledByDefault"=dword:00000000 "Enabled"=dword:00000001 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols\TLS 1.2\Client] "DisabledByDefault"=dword:00000000 "Enabled"=dword:00000001
Now insert these entries into the Windows 7 or 8 registry. Double-click the file "tls_activate.reg" and click "Yes" when prompted to change or extend the registry.
Step 3. Download and Install Update KB3140245
Now you need to download the Microsoft Windows Update KB3140245 from the Microsoft website and install it on Windows 7. This update can be downloaded from the Microsoft Windows Update directory. This update is usually not required for Windows 8.
This update is available as a 32-bit version and a 64-bit version (x64). If you have 64-bit Windows 7, you need the version "Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3140245)". The version "Update for Windows 7 (KB3140245)" is only suitable for 32-bit installations of Windows 7. Install the appropriate update and restart your computer or laptop.
Step 4. Microsoft Media Creation Tool is now functional again on Windows 7
After restarting Windows, launch the previously downloaded Microsoft Media Creation Tool and upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8 to Windows 10. The Media Creation Tool now runs without issues with TLS enabled and Microsoft Update.