Methods for fixing error 0xc0000005 during Windows 11 installation

Encountered error 0xc0000005 when trying to install Windows 11? You are not alone. This memory access issue can occur for a variety of reasons and is very frustrating, interrupting the long-awaited update.

The good news is that in most cases, you can fix this error yourself. It is most often caused by problems with RAM, outdated drivers, or conflicting software that interferes with the installation.

In this article, we will look at several working methods that will help you bypass this error. We will start with simple and quick checks, and then move on to more complex methods if the first ones do not work.

Reason 1: Problems with the bootable drive/image

If you are trying to install Windows 11 from scratch using bootable media (a USB flash drive or disc) and you get error code 0xc0000005, first check that the media with the ISO image is working properly. This could be a problem with the device itself (for example, the flash drive is damaged) or with the installation file.

Try recreating the bootable drive, using a different storage medium, such as a USB flash drive or even an optical disc. You can also try downloading the ISO image again, preferably from the official Microsoft website. It is possible that a crash or unexpected error occurred during the download, which damaged it.

It would be useful to check that you have created the bootable drive correctly. We discussed this topic in a separate article using the example of the most popular utility, Rufus.

Click on it, then run the built-in troubleshooter.

Error 0xc0000005 when installing Windows 11 means that some program or process is trying to access memory that it does not have permission to access. This is most often caused by hardware problems, corrupted installation files, or conflicts with antivirus software. To fix the error, check your RAM, update your BIOS, disable your antivirus software during installation, create a new installation media, and make sure your computer meets the system requirements. Often, simple steps such as restarting or using a different USB drive can quickly solve the problem.

Reason 2: Drive malfunction

From the context menu, then check the box next to

If the OS is not installed, the only way to do this is to perform a visual inspection. You can check it programmatically using specialized software if you have another computer and/or an adapter to connect the disk as a removable storage device (or create a bootable flash drive with programs for working in LiveCD or WinPE mode).

The same applies to SSDs if you are trying to install Windows 11 on one but encounter error 0xc0000005.

The main thing to remember is that the root cause usually lies in cloud services such as Google Photos. If the backup feature is enabled there, when you delete a photo from your phone, it simply “disappears from view” but remains in your cloud storage. This is done for your peace of mind, so that you don't accidentally lose important shots.

Win+I

Remember that regularly backing up important files to an external drive or the cloud is your best insurance against any unexpected failures. This way, you can always recover your data, even if the system refuses to work. We hope these tips have helped you bring your computer back to life and prevent similar problems in the future.

Select the appropriate restore point by looking at the creation date of each one. You need the one closest to the current date, when your PC was booting up and working normally. Select the line with the dot and click on

Hold down the keys

As you can see, the problem with deleting photos is rarely truly fatal. Most often, it is related to trivial synchronization settings or cached data, which are easy to fix yourself.

The main thing is to proceed step by step, starting with the simplest steps. There is almost always a way out of the situation, whether it's a quick fix for a temporary glitch or a more thorough system repair. Your working environment will be restored, and you will be able to use your computer again without any hassle.

“System Recovery”

Open the pop-up menu

Sometimes, insufficient RAM or physical memory can cause errors when installing Windows 11. For stable OS performance, it is recommended to have at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of free space on your local drive, as stated on the company's official website. Make sure you have enough memory to install the system.

And double-click on it with the left mouse button to go to the list of available applications.

1. Go to BIOS in normal mode without starting the bootable media. We wrote about how to open it earlier in separate articles.

   More details: How to enter BIOS on a laptop/computer

2. On the tab “Security” remember that after assembly, you need to check the phone. Make sure that the display responds to touch, that all buttons work, and that the camera and speaker are in good working order. If something goes wrong, don't hesitate to contact a professional — sometimes it saves both your nerves and your device. “TPM Device”. Set its value to “Disabled”.
3. 
4. I will show you an example using the standard Notepad editor. “TPM State”, “Trusted Platform Module”, “Security Chip”, to launch the appropriate tool., also select a value for it ‘Disabled’.
5. Display assembly “Exit” and select More information: Installing a printer driver. This will save the changes you have made to the BIOS settings.

After the TPM 2.0 module is deactivated, try reinstalling the operating system, and then re-enable it after installation.

Reason 4: BIOS version update

Try updating your BIOS version before installing Windows 11. In some cases, this allows you to fix the error and complete the installation successfully. There are several ways to do this, including options that do not require the system to be running, such as using a USB flash drive with the installation file (you will still need another PC from which to download the installer and then write it to the media) or a utility built into the BIOS. You can find detailed information in our separate article.

More info: Updating the BIOS on your computer

Reason 5: Peripheral equipment

The error can also be caused by various peripheral devices connected to your computer/laptop. During installation, try removing all equipment: removable drives, printers, scanners, and more.

Error 0xc0000005, although it looks scary, can be solved on your own in most cases. As we have seen, its appearance during Windows 11 installation is often not related to hardware failure, but to conflicts in settings or damaged files.

Start with the simplest steps: check the integrity of the installation media and disconnect unnecessary peripheral devices. If this does not help, restart the installation after clearing the partitions on the disk. These steps help in most situations.

If the problem persists, don't rush to get upset. More advanced methods, such as checking the RAM or disabling security features in BIOS/UEFI, are also often effective. Just follow the steps carefully, and you will be able to install the new system.