The final version of Windows 10 was launched about two weeks ago, and since then over 25 million PC users have upgraded their PCs from Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 using the free upgrade offer.
For most users, the free upgrade offer to Windows 10 has been fairly easy. Most users have successfully upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7/8.1 without any issues, but a small percentage of PC users are having issues.
The other day, I tried updating my Lenovo Thinkpad T410s laptop running Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. The upgrade went smoothly till the last step and then started restoring the previous version of Windows, which was Windows 8.1.
Error code: 0x8007002C – 0x400D
After restoring Windows 10 and booting in to Windows 10, the following dialog appeared with “We couldn’t install Windows 10 (0x8007002C – 0x400D). The installation failed in the Second_Boot phase with an error during Migrate-Data operation” error.
If you’re are also getting “We couldn’t install Windows 10 (0x8007002C – 0x400D). The installation failed in the Second_Boot phase with an error during Migrate-Data operation” error, here is the workaround to successfully upgrade to Windows 10 without the error.
Fix 1
After a couple of attempts, I observed that the above mentioned error appears when you have protected folders on your system drive. That is, in simple English, if you have a folder locker installed and password protected some folders using a file or folder locker, you need to unlock all folders and uninstall the software complete the upgrade without the error.
In short, unprotect all locked folders, uninstall folder or file locker software and then start the upgrade.
Fix 2
The error could also be because you don’t have sufficient free space to complete the upgrade. The error “The installation failed in the Second_Boot phase with an error during Migrate-Data operation” indicates that the upgrade failed while migrating the data and could be because of the low disk space on your system drive.
To get rid of the error and complete the upgrade, you need to free up some more disk space or expand the system drive. You can quickly free up disk space by uninstalling some programs, deleting files/folders from Recycle Bin, turning off Hibernation, and disabling Restore Point feature.
Fix 3
While upgrading to Windows 10 using the official Media Creation Tool, select Keep only apps to complete the upgrade. Of course, you should back up your data to a safe place before using this workaround as upgrading with Keep only apps g option will delete your documents, pictures and other files.
Do let us know if you’re unable to solve the error with these workarounds. We will assist you resolving the error.
Fix 4
If you’re getting the error while performing upgrade using Windows Creation Tool, try out the Windows Update method (using Get Windows 10 app) method to upgrade.
Andreas Lie says
Have anybody tried Ivan Ratoyevskys description to solve the referenced Upgrade problem??
Rockstar says
I have a new, out of the box, HP Laptop I’m trying to update. I’m using the HP Windows 10 Upgrade disk. I uninstalled the HP Security Tools (all of them) and still receive the error ‘We couldn’t install Windows 10 (0x8007002C – 0x400D). The installation failed in the Second_Boot phase with an error during Migrate-Data operation’.
This error occurred on two other laptops I setup, however, after uninstalling all of the HP Security Tools the upgrade completed. Now I’m unable to get past this error.
I’m using the Original HP Windows 10 Upgrade media, I don’t have Antivirus installed. This is a bare bones from the factory setup. I’ve done nothing but turn it on and uninstall the HP Security Tools as I mentioned.
Richard Wagstaff says
Just found out what was causing my problems….. Epson TM-T88v drivers. Uninstalled the drivers and all was well.
Richard Wagstaff says
I came across this when attempting to upgrade a domain joined Windows 7 Pro SP1 x86 PC. I went as far as to uninstall every program and printer, un joined from the domain and remove all of the profiles, but still got the 0x8007002C – 0x400D.
The only way I could proceed was to upgrade using the ‘remove everything’ option.
Cameron says
This link below appears to have the most information on addressing the fix.
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki/insider_wintp-insider_install/how-to-troubleshoot-common-setup-and-stop-errors/324d5a5f-d658-456c-bb82-b1201f735683
Matt says
Fix 1 – I don’t have a folder locker program. The only folders that may be hidden/protected are done so by default with Windows 7.
Fix 2 – I’ve over 60 free gigs on my main drive.
Fix 3 – I’m hesitant to use this. Can we get more details on what this does exactly? Are all of my programs deleted via this? Basically it’s like a fresh install of Windows 10?
Fix 4 – I can’t get the Windows 10 App to show up no mater what I do and I know I’ve got a genuine copy of Windows 7, proper license, etc. etc. etc. Computer is fully uptodate on all important and even optional updates.
I’m really hesitant to completely remove my Norton Antivirus as suggested in the comment, problem is I only have one install left on my subscription so it better work if I do it.
Ivan Ratoyevsky says
I do had this specific error on attempting to upgrade from Windows 7 pro 64bit to Windows10 pro. The fix or solution was actually VERY simple and it worked beautifully. Step No.1 you must completely uninstall ANY antivirus software that is already installed on your system (must have zero anti-virus installed before you re-install). Step No.2 you must also completely remove any third party firewall software you have previously installed such as Zone Alarm for example. So you end up with zero third party firewall software installed. Step No.3 move ALL your personal files & documents held in the windows My Documents folder on your C:\ drive. The folder should be left empty before you try to upgrade.
Finally once you have done the above steps. Download a fresh copy of the Windows10 Media Creation Tool, And next install the tool and run the tool and follow the instruction for upgrading windows 10. The whole upgrade process should run very smoothly if you do this and I ended up with a very good results (Oh! I forgot to say select the option to keep all your files & folders and installed applications its the recommended option anyway). I had x85 installed applications and they all worked fine post W10 upgrade. Hope this might be useful? Regards Ivan