I am unable to modify Windows or perform a reinstallation.
I am unable to modify Windows or perform a reinstallation.
I suspect the issue might be related to your storage setup. Since you're missing a second drive, consider checking if your system can boot from an external USB or cloud backup. If reinstalling Windows fails midway, it could indicate hardware or driver problems—updating drivers or trying a different installation method might help.
With a USB drive available and no concern for your PC's files, you might consider erasing the SSD or HDD and starting fresh by reinstalling Windows. A media creation utility can generate an installer USB.
It seems like you're looking for a straightforward solution. Clearing the drive and starting over is often the most reliable fix. I've faced similar challenges with Windows Update, trying various tools without success until a clean installation resolved everything.
Consider testing the update assistant again. If issues persist, prepare an installation USB, back up your files, and perform a clean reinstall.