Windows 10 update deleted my OS partition and backup partition

Hi, sorry to hear of your problem at a difficult time.

Please post a screenshot of your partitions using the Insert Image icon above your post, ideally using Minitool Partition Wizard or equivalent (sounds like you have a Partition Manager boot disk or boot disk with one on it). Kyhi's, available from the top of the Software and Apps section here has many useful utilities on it (based on Win 10).

I cannot identify my license number

You should not need one to reinstall Win 10.

Please check your disk before attempting any form of recovery, e.g. using HD Tune (Health tab and Error Scan tab) available as a portable program or on Kyhi's boot disk.
Download Portable HD Tune 2.55

Assuming your partition table is damaged, which may or may not be the case, you can try a partition recovery tool- at least to see if there is anything to recover:

its usual incessant downloading

If this is happening constantly, there's something wrong, That could be, for example, a repeating failed upgrade attempt.

Sounds like something else caused it. Can you boot with a Linux Live DVD to see what partitions show in Gparted? You were not per chance still running a dual boot system?

The partitions are not there but I will do what I can as soon as possible.

- Reason for this request: so we can see what you're seeing using a 3rd party partition manager.

HD Tune (Health tab and Error Scan
- utterly different purpose and program to a partition manager.

If your disk is faulty, there's little point in going very far.

GSong said:

I have (had?) a laptop with windows 10 from the "free" upgrade. I was away at a funeral for a family member and Win10 did its usual incessant downloading. It downloaded a version update and before the funeral it asked for a re-boot. Why not? I'll begne for several hours. When I returned after 6 hours the computer was locked. I had to hard shut it down.
when I tried to re-boot it. the sighna that no OS was there appeared. When i returned home, AI had software that indicated thet the partition with the OS and with the backup files were both deleted. A third non-OS partition was untouched.
I cannot identify my license number because everything is gone.
Any ideas on how to recover my OS and partitions?
G

@GSong

First of all, i'm sorry for your loss. I hope you are doing well. I recently lost 2 family members in a matter of 2 weeks. Secondly, i've heard of this happening before. It has happened to me once, and I was so pissed that I just didn't wanna mess with it. I did a complete format and fresh install. That might be what you have to do if all else fails.

GSong said:

I have an UBUNTO on a thumb drive but it is just a demo, So far I have been unable to figure out how to save anything. As soon as I exit, all is deleted.GS

Linux is not Demo software, it is full fledged even on the thumb drive. It wll allow you to use GParted to look at the partitions. Most likely the MBR got screwed up.