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Downloading a ISO using Windows Media Creation Tool freezes or stops or pauses while playing games. If you switch to a game fullscreen or windowed then the download stops completely. The second that you move focus to a different application then the download continues immediately at full speed. This was 100% reproducible in my case.

Many sites have solutions to similar issues. I have not found any that covers this specific problem. There are solutions from other issues for example downloading the ISO directly. This solution requires that you have technical knowledge and that you restart the download (I wanted to avoid this at all costs).

I understand that this is a niche problem. If you need to download Windows 10 during gaming time or consider 4.45 GB as a large download then this can be a real pain. My workaround was to not play games until the download finshed. I would still like to know how to prevent the tool from pausing the download while playing games.

Additional Infomation: I am very confident that it is not a network/firewall problem, judging on how reproducible this problem is it seems like a real undocumented feature (not joking). I played a game for about 1 hour and my internet was not used at all during that time. The Media Creation Tool ran in Windows 10 Version 2004.

File name: MediaCreationTool20H2.exe
MD5: aa2ad37bb74c05a49417e3d2f1bd89ce
SHA1: 1bf5f814ffe801b4e6f118e829c0d2821d78a60a
SHA256: 690c8a63769d444fad47b7ddecee7f24c9333aa735d0bd46587d0df5cf15cde5
Wolfie
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    I would assume that the MediaCreationTool uses the default download infrastructure ("BITS") that is also used for downloading Windows updates. It uses "Delivery Optimization" which could also affect downloads while a running game is detected. See https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/waas-delivery-optimization – Robert Jun 08 '21 at 14:37
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    Have you tried disabling [Game Mode](https://support.xbox.com/en-GB/help/games-apps/game-setup-and-play/use-game-mode-gaming-on-pc)? – Mokubai Jun 08 '21 at 16:29

1 Answers1

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Windows has a Game Mode that is designed to limit system tasks during periods where you may want performance elsewhere. The Media Creation Tool uses the same facilities that Windows Update uses to prepare your system for a major feature update but instead of preparing to install immediately can run a final stage to create an ISO image.

As a result it is entirely possible that Game Mode blocking Windows Update also blocks the Media Creator from working.

When you use Game Mode, Windows prioritises your gaming experience. When you’re running a game, Game Mode:

  • Prevents Windows Update from performing driver installations and sending restart notifications.
  • Helps achieve a more stable frame rate depending on the specific game and system.

To disable Game Mode:

  • Press the Start button, and then select Settings.
  • Choose Gaming > Game Mode.
  • Turn Game Mode On or Off.
Mokubai
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  • I tested it (did not download the entire ISO). I had to restart the computer after turning Game Mode off. Simply changing the setting still paused Media Creation Tool's download when switching focus to a game. Thanks for the information and how to disable it. I hope this helps others too! – Wolfie Jun 09 '21 at 14:26
  • Glad it worked for you. I must admit though I'm slightly surprised about needing a reboot, but not *that* surprised as there's some low level stuff baked in that might only check this setting on startup or after a few hours rather than every few seconds.... – Mokubai Jun 09 '21 at 14:57