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Windows 11 update from 23H2 to 25H2 fails (0x8007042B - 0x2000D)

Richard Brunner 25 Reputation points
2025-12-08T09:31:37.5933333+00:00

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

we have 39 PCs running Windows 11 Pro on our network, 6 of them refuse to update from Win 11 23H2 to 25H2.

After installing version 25h2 and rebooting, windows is rolling back to 23H2 and I get the following error messge:

0x8007042B - 0x2000D

The installation failed in the SAFE_OS phase with an error during MIGRATE_DATA operation

Setupdiaglog.txt

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15BdFg6YrdVoFD9a6idRU-O9h2Mq2uSBw/view?usp=sharing

setuperr.log

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u2EfWdProAp5U5NREWCAZyDACWKFAoL7/view?usp=sharing

I´ve already done the following steps:

  1. sfc /scannow
  2. dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
  3. dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup
  4. chkdsk c: /scan
  5. net stop bits, net stop wuauserv, net stop appidsvc, net stop cryptsvc

deleting c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution and c:\windows\Migration Folder and c:\windows\system32\catroot2

restarting the services above

  1. win + r -> "cleanmgr" -> Clean all (mainly Delivery Optimization Files)
  2. we only use Windows defender as AV solution
  3. do a "clean reboot" (s

8a) msconfig -> deactivate all NON-Microsoft services + reboot

8b) taskmanager -> deactivate all autostart services

  1. do an "in place upgrade" using the Win11-25h2 ISO from the microsoft homepage -> mount it -> start "setup.exe" with and without "Download and Install updates"
  2. install windows using the Microsoft Installation Assistant
  3. successfully checking that the PC is applicable for running Win11 using the MS PC health tool
  4. disk space is > 700GB
  5. updating drivers (network card, motherboard, ...)

I´d be very greatful if you could assist me in this matter.

Best regards,

Richard

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | Devices and deployment | Install Windows updates, features, or roles
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  1. VPHAN 10,795 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-12-12T07:54:05.08+00:00

    Hi Richard Brunner,

    Thank you for sharing the detailed "nuclear" cleanup procedure that finally cleared the blockage on those 6 remaining PCs. It is excellent news that you were able to resolve it and get the entire fleet upgraded to 25H2.

    To clarify why your final approach worked when the logs specifically pointed to adammigrate.dll (ADAM/AD LDS), I think even though the RSAT tools were not explicitly "installed" in the visible UI, the presence of the adammigrate.dll error in the logs confirms that orphaned components or stale registry pointers from a past configuration (or a base image) were triggering the migration engine to look for files that didn't exist. By performing step 2b (Remove ALL Optional Features except .NET), you effectively purged the hidden or corrupted remnants that dism and sfc were previously unable to unlink on their own. This "scorched earth" removal of optional components is a powerful technique for these exact "ghost" migration errors.

    If you have a moment, please consider accepting the answer. While my specific pointer to RSAT was the catalyst, your rigorous execution of the optional feature removal was the cure, and marking this thread as resolved helps document this "clean sweep" strategy for other administrators fighting persistent 0x8007042B migration errors. Thank you, have a nice day!

    VPHAN

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  1. Richard Brunner 25 Reputation points
    2025-12-12T07:18:54.5633333+00:00

    I finally managed to update the remained PCs, although I still do not exactly know the underlying problem.

    My approach, that worked on all PCs:

    as admin

    1. cleanmgr

    2a) start -> Settings -> System -> Troubleshoot -> other Throubleshooters -> Windows Update

    2b) start -> Settings -> System -> Optional Features -> Remove all but "NET""

    1. sfc /scannow
    2. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
    3. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
    4. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    5. DISM /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup
    6. chkdsk c: /scan
    7. sfc /scannow
    8. CHKDSK /F /R /X
    9. REBOOT
    10. sfc /scannow
    11. net stop bits, net stop wuauserv, net stop appidsvc, net stop cryptsvc
    12. deleting c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution and c:\windows\Migration Folder and c:\windows\panther und c:\windows\system32\catroot2
    13. net start wuauserv
    14. Installation of Win11 25H2 using ISO (download Updates -> YES)

    Although this approach is similary to my initial approach it worked an all the remaining PCs. Notably, on some of these PCs "sfc /scannow" found/fixed problems before and after reboot.

    VPHAN, thanks for you kind help.

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