Microsoft introduced in the present day that hotpatching of safety updates is now additionally obtainable in preview on Home windows 365 and Home windows 11 Enterprise 24H2 shopper gadgets.
Home windows Hotpatch has been obtainable for Home windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Version since February 2022, initially usually obtainable for Home windows Server Azure Version core digital machines, and in public preview for Home windows Server 2025 since September 2024.
When hotpatching is accessible, Home windows downloads safety updates and installs them within the background with out rebooting. To do this, hotpatching deploys the safety updates by patching the in-memory code of working processes with out restarting them after every set up.
“Hotpatch updates are scoped and provide a complete set of OS security patches. No additional features are included,” stated Microsoft in the present day. “They are unique in that they take effect immediately upon installation without requiring you to restart your device, helping to ensure focused, rapid protection.”
In January, April, July, and October (the primary month of every quarter), Home windows gadgets with hotpatching help will set up a cumulative safety replace (containing the newest safety fixes, options, and enhancements) and restart.
Nonetheless, in the course of the subsequent two months, the gadgets will obtain sizzling patch updates pushing solely safety fixes, which don’t require a restart (this cycle will repeat every quarter).
“Devices stay secure and productive, and you reduce the number of required restarts for Windows updates from twelve to just four thanks to eight planned hotpatch updates each year,” Microsoft added.
Organizations that need to use hotpatching in public preview want to fulfill the next necessities:
- A Microsoft subscription that features Home windows Enterprise E3 or E5 (e.g. Microsoft 365 A3/A5 or Microsoft 365 F3); or a Home windows 365 Enterprise subscription
- Focused gadgets working Home windows 11 Enterprise, model 24H2 (Construct 26100.2033 or later)
- Microsoft Intune
These eligible can allow hotpatch updates utilizing a brand new Home windows high quality replace coverage in Intune and Home windows Autopatch. Then you possibly can opt-in (or opt-out) gadgets for automated hotpatch replace deployment.
“And, good news, the quality update policy can auto-detect if your targeted devices are eligible for hotpatching,” the corporate stated. “All other Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices will continue to receive the standard monthly security updates, ensuring that your ecosystem stays protected and productive.”
In the present day, at its Ignite annual convention in Chicago, Illinois, Microsoft additionally introduced the launch of Zero Day Quest, a brand new hacking occasion with $4 million in rewards centered on cloud and AI merchandise.
Redmond additionally shared extra info on the new Home windows 11 administrator safety safety characteristic and stated it is engaged on a new “Quick Machine Recovery” characteristic to assist admins use Home windows Replace “targeted fixes” to repair methods rendered unbootable remotely.
