The most common reason for this error is a broken list that marks parts of the memory as bad. This often happens after you use bad RAM or after you update some drivers or the BIOS. In this article, we will discuss different ways to solve this error.
1. Disable or Uninstall Your Antivirus Suite (if applicable)
If you see this error when trying to upgrade your version of Windows, start by ruling out interference from security software. Antivirus programs like Comodo, Avast, or McAfee are known to sometimes block upgrades due to overprotective security features. First, try disabling the antivirus real-time protection and run the upgrade again. Most security suites allow you to do this from their taskbar icon. If that doesn’t work or your security suite includes a firewall, disabling is often not enough. In these cases, fully uninstall the software and make sure all its files are removed.
2. Disconnect All External Devices
Although the 0xc0000017 error is labeled as a “bad memory” issue, it’s often caused by too much memory being reserved by connected devices, leaving not enough for the install process. To fix this, disconnect every non-essential USB device (such as external drives, printers, cameras, or hubs) before starting the upgrade. Many users have reported that this step helped them complete the upgrade. If a device isn’t necessary during setup, disconnect it so memory isn’t unnecessarily reserved. Try the upgrade again after doing this.
3. Update Your Motherboard Drivers
A severely outdated or incompatible motherboard driver can cause this error, especially during an upgrade to Windows 10. Windows Update often misses motherboard driver updates, so you’ll likely need to update them manually.
4. Remove Bad Memory Entries Using Command Prompt
Microsoft has confirmed that this error can also occur if bad memory blocks are found in the BCD (Boot Configuration Data) store when the OS creates the RAM disk during setup. You can use Command Prompt to check and clean any bad memory entries.
5. Disable Hybrid Graphics in BIOS
If you have a laptop (especially HP ZBook models) with hybrid graphics enabled, this feature may cause the error. Disabling hybrid graphics in the BIOS often resolves it.
6. Upgrade After a Clean Boot (if applicable)
Various 3rd party applications or background processes can cause this error, not just antivirus programs. Doing a clean boot starts Windows with only essential services—none of your usual third-party background apps will run, which helps rule out interference.
