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Hi Pete,
This failure is almost always the Assistant tripping over Windows Update components during the pre-install phase. The quickest way around it is to do an in-place upgrade using the official Windows 11 ISO and tell Setup not to download updates during the install. This keeps your apps and files, and it cleanly sidesteps the point where the Assistant fails.
Download the latest Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft's page. Choose the multi-edition ISO, save it locally, then restart your PC once. Disconnect from the internet completely (unplug Ethernet or turn off WiFi). In File Explorer, right-click the ISO and choose Mount, then run setup.exe from the mounted drive. When asked "Change how Setup downloads updates", select "Not right now". Make sure "Keep personal files and apps" is selected, then continue.
The upgrade will run fully offline and should bypass the update check where your Assistant fails. After Windows 11 finishes and you're back at the desktop, reconnect to the internet, open Windows Update and install all available updates and drivers.
If you prefer to retry the Assistant later, you can also delete the leftover C:\$WINDOWS.\~BT folder after the successful upgrade to clear any failed setup cache.
Let me know the results please!