How to fix the Modern Setup Host error

Matthew Adams
by Matthew Adams
Windows & Software Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it. He is passionate about... Read more
Updated:
Posted: August 2019
Affiliate Disclosure
  • Updating your PC to Windows 10 is mandatory, so no Modern Setup Host error is accepted.
  • When this happens, make sure the hard drive storage space isn’t an issue or adjust the Windows language settings.
  • You can bypass all Windows installation errors when knowing the quickest fixes to apply.
  • For more helpful solutions, we encourage you to visit our Windows 10 Troubleshooting Hub.
Modern Setup Host error fixes
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With Windows 7 well over the end of support, more users are upgrading to Windows 10. However, a Modern Setup Host has stopped working error can arise for some users.

This happens especially when trying to upgrade to Windows 10 with the Media Creation Tool. Consequently, users can’t upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or 8 when that error message pops up.

Modern Setup Host is an installer contained in a self-extracting archive within the $Windows.BTSources folder.

That is a process required for the installation of Win 10 build updates and when running the setup to upgrade to Windows 10.

Some users might see the Modern Setup Host process on Task Manager’s Processes tab.

How can I fix the Modern Setup Host error?

1. Free up some hard drive storage space

First, make sure there’s enough hard drive system partition space to upgrade to Windows 10. Users will need at least 15 GB free HDD storage to upgrade to Win 10 with the Media Creation Toolkit.

The best way to free up storage space is usually to uninstall superfluous software. Check out the post below for some tips to free up hard drive storage.

 

 Interested in finding the best methods to free up hard disk space on PC? We’re here to help you out!

2. Clean Boot Windows

  1. Clean-booting Windows will ensure that third-party software doesn’t conflict with the upgrade process in any way. Start by pressing the Windows key + R, enter msconfig in Run, and click the OK button.The General tab modern setup host windows 10 - what is it and how to fix common issues
  2. On the System Configuration window’s General tab, click the Selective startup radio button.
  3. Then select the Use original boot configuration and Load system services checkboxes.
  4. Deselect the Load startup items check box to remove third-party programs from the system startup.
  5. Next, select the Services tab shown directly below.The Services tab modern setup host windows 10 - what is it and how to fix common issues
  6. Click the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox.
  7. Select the Disable all option.
  8. Press the Apply button, and click OK to exit System Configuration.
  9. Then select the Restart option.
  10. Thereafter, try upgrading to Windows 10 again.

3. Check the Default Language is configured to U.S. English

  1. Some users have said that adjusting the Windows language settings to U.S. English can fix the MSH error. To do that, press the Windows key + R hotkey.
  2. Enter Control Panel in the Open box, and click the OK button.
  3. Click the View by drop-down menu to select Category.The Category option modern setup host windows 10 - what is it and how to fix common issues
  4. Click Clock, Language, and Region to open the applet.
  5. Then click Region and Language to open a Region and Language window.
  6. Click the Location tab on that window.
  7. Select United States in the Current location drop-down menu.
  8. Then click Change keyboards on the Keyboards and Languages tab.
  9. Select the General tab on the Text Services window that opens.
  10. Then select English (United States) on the Default input language drop-down menu.
  11. Select the Apply option, and press the OK button to exit the window.
  12. Thereafter, restart the desktop or laptop.

4. Run setupprep.exe to Resume the System Upgrade

  1. Users can try resuming the upgrade process after the Modern Setup Host has stopped working error message pops up. To do that, exit Windows Media Creation after the error arises.
  2. Open Run with the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut.
  3. Then enter C:$Windows.~WSSourcesWindowssourcessetupprep.exe in Run, as shown directly below, and press the OK button.The setupprep.exe process modern setup host windows 10 - what is it and how to fix common issues

5. Run Deployment Image and System File Scans

  1. Repairing a corrupted image or system files might also resolve the Modern Setup Host error. Open the Run accessory.
  2. Enter Command Prompt in Run, and press the Ctrl + Shift + Alt hotkey, which open an elevated Command Prompt.
  3. Enter  DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:RepairSourceWindows/LimitAccess in the Prompt and press Return.
  4. Then input sfc /scannow in the Command Prompt and press Enter to run the System File Checker scan. 
    System File Checker modern setup host windows 10 - what is it and how to fix common issues
  5. Restart the desktop or laptop if the SFC scan fixes something.

Those are some potential resolutions that might fix the Modern Setup Host error for some users. They can also upgrade to Windows 10 with a bootable USB drive that includes a Win 10 image.

This post provides further details on how users can set up bootable Windows 10 USB drives for UEFI systems.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Modern Setup Host is one of those Microsoft Windows components that usually run in the background every time your system detects or installs a new update.

  • Even if the precise time depends from one case to another, the Modern Setup Host usually runs for 2 to 4 hours, if not even longer.

  • Luckily, there are some simple ways to solve the Modern Setup Host error. You can adjust the Windows language settings or apply other quick solutions from our dedicated guide.

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