Windows (8) Update Can't Find the File Specified?

Recently, my Windows 8 (NOT 8.1) computer (Lenovo Ultrabook ThinkPad) has absolutely refused to update in any way.

Update and Restart? It will restart, but it doesn't remotely update. It just restarts like it normally does.

Trying to update to Windows 8.1? Windows 8.1 could not install. Please try again.

Within Local Services, Windows Update is stopped. When I try to start it, it gives me the titular "Windows could not start the Windows Update service on Local Computer. Error 2: The system can't find the file specified."

In properties, it says the executable is "C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs" and I don't know about the '-k netsvcs' but the svchost.eve is nice and cozy in the System32 folder.

I don't know if it's related (it probably is) but a while back I had an issue that Windows Defender would not update. It said something about a network error (even though there wasn't one.) I did a system restore without effect and at the advice of my mom downloaded avast! Instead, which is running without problem. MalwareBytes didn't find anything either (though I did recently have a run-in with a browser hijacker, Conduit).

I don't have a recovery flash drive (my computer doesn't have a CD drive) so wiping the computer is out of the question.

I've found similar issues on the internet, but not the exact problem. I'd appreciate it if anyone could offer advice.

Were you able to the browser hijacker? If you haven't, try download RKill from bleepingcomputer, it's very effective in removing browser hijackers. By the way, if your browser is hijacked, it's not just the browser that's hijacked but also the way your computer connects to the internet. Acquiring Windows Updates is also connecting to the internet.

Rkill: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/rkill/dl/10/

Just try these resources first, doing shotgun or general troubleshooting for an update error:

http://techypingky.blogspot.com/2014/05/windows-81-updates-issues-how-to.html

http://techypingky.blogspot.com/2014/05/windows-81-updates-issues-how-to_27.html

Let me know if you have any questions!

Hope this helps!