Updating from 24H2 to 25H2 with a local account possible?


QuicktellPro

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I have watched several videos explaining how Microsoft has removed the possibility of using a local account in 25H2. Of course, there are also videos showing a workaround but these pertain to a fresh installation.

I would like to know if updating from 24H2 to 25H2 with a local account is possible without having to login afterwards with an MS account?
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 11 Pro 24H2 build 26100.6899

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-10900K CPU @ 3.70GHz32,0 GBNvidia GeForce RTX2080 Super
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Alienware A51M R2
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-10900K CPU @ 3.70GHz
Memory
32,0 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GeForce RTX2080 Super
Sound Card
Realtek
Screen Resolution
4K
Hard Drives
2TB (2x 1TB PCle M.2 SSD) RAID 0 [Boot] + 2TB (2x 1TB
PCle M.2 SSD) Non-Raid [Storage]
I have watched several videos explaining how Microsoft has removed the possibility of using a local account in 25H2. Of course, there are also videos showing a workaround but these pertain to a fresh installation.

I would like to know if updating from 24H2 to 25H2 with a local account is possible without having to login afterwards with an MS account?
It should be possible, 25H2's source code it's not any different from the source code of 24H2
 

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Windows 11AMD Athlon Silver 3050U20GBAMD Radeon Graphics
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo
CPU
AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
Motherboard
5B20S44466
Memory
20GB
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon Graphics
Sound Card
A not very nice Realtek one
Monitor(s) Displays
1
Screen Resolution
1366x768
Hard Drives
SSD
PSU
no
Case
no
Cooling
no
Keyboard
HU
Mouse
yes
Internet Speed
100mb/s
Browser
Thorium
Antivirus
no
Well, I am currently perusing this thread which more or less covers the same question. The thing is, I am already using 24H2 with a local account and Windows is displaying the option to update to 25H2. My desire is that, if I do it, my local account will still exist and I will not be forced to sign in using an MS account.

With all due respect, should be possible is not the same as yes, your local account will remain valid.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-10900K CPU @ 3.70GHz32,0 GBNvidia GeForce RTX2080 Super
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Alienware A51M R2
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-10900K CPU @ 3.70GHz
Memory
32,0 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GeForce RTX2080 Super
Sound Card
Realtek
Screen Resolution
4K
Hard Drives
2TB (2x 1TB PCle M.2 SSD) RAID 0 [Boot] + 2TB (2x 1TB
PCle M.2 SSD) Non-Raid [Storage]
Upgrading keeps whatever local accounts are already in place.

Microsoft has removed the possibility of using a local account in 25H2

Nonsense.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 [rev. 8893]
OS
Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 [rev. 8893]

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200....
OS
Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200.8037
I updated to 25H2 3 days ago and use a Local Account, same as always.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Thanks guys. That's all I wanted to know.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-10900K CPU @ 3.70GHz32,0 GBNvidia GeForce RTX2080 Super
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Alienware A51M R2
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-10900K CPU @ 3.70GHz
Memory
32,0 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GeForce RTX2080 Super
Sound Card
Realtek
Screen Resolution
4K
Hard Drives
2TB (2x 1TB PCle M.2 SSD) RAID 0 [Boot] + 2TB (2x 1TB
PCle M.2 SSD) Non-Raid [Storage]
There are reports (including mine) that on Home editions (not sure about Pro) SETUP might do the OOBE thing (Let's setup your PC) all over again, when using in-place upgrade from 24H2 to 25H2 using a local account and it won't let you bypass the MS account creation. At least not easily. After trying to exit out of the dialogue window, looking for any 'use local account instead' to no avail, I just restarted the PC. When it booted again it gave me the option to login with my existing local account, like normal. But I could find no other way to do it.

This was on a W11 supported 10th Gen Core laptop. I did not implement any bypass tricks because there was no need. The hardware fully complies and I already had an existing local account (administrator) created and running (for two years).
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

All of them
OS
All of them
There are reports (including mine) that on Home editions (not sure about Pro) SETUP might do the OOBE thing (Let's setup your PC) all over again, when using in-place upgrade from 24H2 to 25H2 using a local account and it won't let you bypass the MS account creation. At least not easily.
The original post is about updating with Windows update and there is no problem with that.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
There are reports (including mine) that on Home editions (not sure about Pro) SETUP might do the OOBE thing (Let's setup your PC) all over again, when using in-place upgrade from 24H2 to 25H2 using a local account and it won't let you bypass the MS account creation.
Only if these are left turned on before you stat the upgrade, in particular 'Show the Windows welcome experience after updates...'

1759968313946-webp.148280
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 HomeAMD Athlon Silver 3050U8GBRadeon Graphics
    OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23-R9VY
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD (from April 2026: 250GB EVO 850)
    Internet Speed
    150 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October 2021 it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update, 24H2 on 3rd October 2024 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 24H2, and 25H2 on 30th September 2025 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 25H2.

    UPDATE - 11 April 2026: due to mechanical deterioration this PC has been retired from active duty. The OS with all software and files has been migrated to my System Seven in 'Other systems' to carry on as my general purpose 'main machine'.

    I've now clean installed 25H2 and used Garlin's scripts to update Secure Boot to CA 2023 and revoke the PCA 2011 certificates. It's new role is to test secure boot issues.
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel® Core™ i5-520M8GB(integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround.

    In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround.
    Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package.
    In-place upgrade to 24H2 using hybrid 23H2/24H2 install media.
    Upgraded to 25H2 by Enablement Package.

    Also running Insider Dev, and Canary builds and Windows 10 as native boot .vhdx.
  • My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 1TB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro 24H2, Hyper-V host machine. Updated to 25H2 on 30th September 2025.

    My SYSTEM SEVEN is a Lenovo Thinkpad T580, Intel Core i7-8650U, 16GB RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD + 2nd 512GB NVMe SSD, a supported device for Windows 11. This is my current general purpose 'main machine'. The installed Windows 11 Home from my System One has been migrated to this machine.
Only if these are left turned on before you stat the upgrade, in particular 'Show the Windows welcome experience after updates...'

1759968313946-webp.148280
I turn all that junk off ASAP!
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.8894Intel Core i5 1450064GB DDR4GeForce RTX 4060
    OS
    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.8894
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brew
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 14500
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B760M G P WIFI
    Memory
    64GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060
    Sound Card
    Chipset Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 45" Ultragear, Acer 24" 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    5120x1440, 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial P310 2TB 2280 PCIe Gen4 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD (O/S)
    Silicon Power 2TB US75 NVMe PCIe Gen4 M.2 2280 SSD (backup)
    Crucial BX500 2TB 3D NAND (2nd backup)
    Seagate 4TB Ironwolf, rotating HDD archive files
    External off-line backup Drives: 2 NVMe 4TB drives in external enclosures
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 750W
    Case
    LIAN LI LANCOOL 216 E-ATX PC Case
    Cooling
    Lots of fans!
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Logitech G305
    Internet Speed
    Verizon FiOS 1GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malware Bytes & Windows Defender Security
  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.8894Intel Core i5 1440032GB DDR5Intel 700 Embedded GPU
    Operating System
    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.8894
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brew
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 14400
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B760M DS3H AX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel 700 Embedded GPU
    Sound Card
    Realtek Embedded
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" HP 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial P310 2TB 2280 PCIe Gen4 eD NAND PCIe SSD
    Samsung EVO 990 2TB NVMe Gen4 SSD
    Samsung 2TB SATA SSD
    PSU
    Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W
    Case
    Okinos Micro ATX Case
    Cooling
    Fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Logitech G305
    Internet Speed
    Verizon FiOS 1GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malware Bytes & Windows Defender Security
  • Nimo N171 17" Laptop, (Intel i3-1215U, 16GB RAM, 2TB NVMe, Win11 Pro)
    Acemagic Vista Mini PC V1 (Intel N150, 16GB RAM, 1TB NVMe, Win11 Pro)
    HP ENVY h8-1540t, (24GB RAM, 2TB SSD, 2TB HDD, Win11 Pro)
Thanks guys. That's all I wanted to know.


You may also want to know that there's an Enablement Package. 24H2 to 25H2 in about 3 seconds and a reboot.

 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26200.8875 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦25H2AMD Ryzen 7 3700XG.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26200.8875 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 5302)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • At a glance

    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 15 years?
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