Microsoft Hotpatching Support for Arm64 Enhances Windows Update Management in Windows 11

In a landmark move for the Windows ecosystem, Microsoft has announced the general availability of hotpatching support for 64-bit Arm architecture, bringing a transformative update management experience to a broader array of devices running Windows 11, version 24H2. This expansion represents a critical step toward minimizing downtime, enhancing security compliance, and bolstering productivity for organizations and end-users alike, all without the disruptive rhythm of device restarts that have long characterized the Windows update process.

What Is Hotpatching and Why Does It Matter?​

At its core, hotpatching is an innovative Windows update technology designed to apply security updates while the operating system is running—no restart required. This is achieved through a sophisticated mechanism that updates in-memory code, ensuring that security vulnerabilities are closed promptly without user interruption or system reboot. Initially available for x64 (AMD/Intel) architectures in April 2025, hotpatching rapidly gained traction, credited with safeguarding millions of devices and earning positive feedback from IT professionals worldwide.
The extension of hotpatch functionality to Arm64 devices is more than a technical upgrade; it is a major milestone for organizations investing in modern, efficient device fleets. Windows 11 on Arm has been steadily maturing, with substantial investments in compatibility, performance, and management tooling. Now, the ability to patch vulnerabilities instantly and quietly is available to those running Arm-based laptops, workstations, and other endpoints—particularly relevant as enterprise adoption of Arm64 hardware continues to rise.

The Expanding Arm64 Landscape​

The computing industry has witnessed a resurgence of interest in Arm64, led by the promise of superior energy efficiency, fanless form-factors, and competitive performance in both consumer and enterprise markets. The latest generation of Arm64 Windows devices—ranging from ultraportable laptops to high-performance tablets—have become mainstays in hybrid workplaces and mobile computing scenarios.
Windows 11 version 24H2 (Build 26100.2033 or later) forms the foundation for Arm64 hotpatch support. With each new release, Microsoft tightens integration between Windows client features and modern management solutions such as Microsoft Intune and Windows Autopatch, aligning with the needs of large-scale deployments and zero-touch maintenance models.

A New Standard for Enterprise Update Management​

Feedback from the Windows IT Pro community underscores hotpatching's transformative impact. As Pat Macfarlane, Senior Workstation Engineer at TriNet USA, Inc., observed, “With Hotpatch and the Autopatch feature updates, we have seen a more enhanced system with minimized downtime and streamlined patch management.” This statement reflects the heart of hotpatching’s value proposition:

• Immediate Security Compliance: Hotpatching allows security updates to be applied instantly, drastically reducing the “window of vulnerability” and helping organizations stay ahead in an era of rapid cyber threats.
• Uninterrupted Productivity: By decoupling update installation from mandatory restarts, users continue working without disruptive pop-ups or forced reboots—a perennial pain point for IT and end-users alike.
• Streamlined Patch Management: Smaller update payloads mean faster installations and less bandwidth consumption, while granular policy control (via Microsoft Intune and Windows Autopatch) empowers IT admins to maintain oversight without micromanagement.
• Modern Device Strategy: For organizations deploying mixed-architecture fleets (x64 and Arm64), a unified hotpatching framework simplifies operations and accelerates the transition to energy-efficient, modern hardware.

Technical Prerequisites and Rollout Guidance​

Before organizations can unlock hotpatching on their Arm64 devices, several prerequisites must be met:

• Windows 11 Enterprise, Version 24H2 (Build 26100.2033 or newer): The operating system baseline must be up to date, ensuring compatibility with the newest security servicing technologies.
• Enterprise-Grade Licenses: Eligible licenses include Windows 11 Enterprise E3/E5, Microsoft 365 F3, Windows 11 Education A3/A5, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, or Windows 365 Enterprise. This ensures the feature is targeted at business and educational environments where security and compliance are paramount.
• Microsoft Intune for Management: Deployment, policy configuration, and reporting for hotpatch updates are managed through Microsoft Intune, which unifies device management across architectures.
• Virtualization-Based Security (VBS): VBS must be enabled, providing hardened execution environments and helping to prevent sophisticated attack vectors.
• CHPE Disabled: Arm64 devices uniquely require the Compiled Hybrid PE (CHPE) compatibility layer to be disabled, as it is incompatible with the hotpatch process.

Disabling CHPE: Why and How​

CHPE was originally designed to enable x86 emulation on Arm64 hardware, a critical feature during the early days of Arm adoption. However, to facilitate the safe and correct application of in-memory patches, this layer needs to be switched off. Thankfully, the process is straightforward and can be managed at scale via policy or registry key:

1. Via Intune/Group Policy: Apply the DisableCHPE configuration service provider (CSP) policy (../Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/Hotpatch/DisableCHPE = 1). This action can be rolled out to device groups and, after a single restart, will render devices hotpatch-ready.
2. Via Registry Key: Set HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\HotPatchRestrictions to 1 and restart the device once.

It’s crucial to note that disabling CHPE does not eliminate x86 application compatibility, as Arm64 devices continue to offer x86 emulation through alternate, natively supported mechanisms. However, organizations are advised to validate this change in their environment, confirming no critical workflows or performance metrics regress.

A Step-by-Step Enrollment for Hotpatching​

Enrolling Arm64 devices in hotpatching requires simple, repeatable steps:

1. In the Microsoft Intune admin center, navigate to Devices > Windows updates > Quality updates.
2. For new deployments, create a Windows quality update policy; for ongoing management, select and edit the relevant policy from the existing list.
3. In the policy settings, under Automatic update deployment settings, select the option to “When available, apply without restarting the device” and set it to Allow.
4. Assign this policy to the targeted Arm64 device group.
5. Validate deployment through Windows quality update reports and monitor the rollout in organizational dashboards.

With these steps completed, organizations can expect to start benefiting from hotpatching as soon as the next update release cycle, bringing immediate gains in security and operational continuity.

Performance, Compatibility, and Practical Considerations​

While hotpatching’s advantages are compelling, IT leaders must also weigh several practical factors associated with enabling the feature on Arm64 devices:

• Performance Differences: Disabling CHPE may result in performance changes for some legacy x86 applications, depending on specific workload characteristics. Microsoft recommends piloting hotpatch enrollment with a representative sample of users to identify and mitigate any issues.
• Application Compatibility: Most applications will not require recompilation for Arm64, and ongoing improvements to Windows’ emulation pipeline mean compatibility is steadily increasing. Nonetheless, certain edge cases may warrant special attention, such as legacy device drivers or rarely updated enterprise software.
• Security Assurance: Hotpatching does not replace traditional servicing for all scenarios. Some updates—such as those affecting kernel-mode drivers or requiring deep system changes—will still require periodic restarts and traditional patch cycles. Microsoft provides a hotpatch calendar for Windows 11, version 24H2 Enterprise, ensuring organizations can anticipate planned maintenance and align with compliance mandates.
• Management Overhead: While Intune and Windows Autopatch significantly streamline rollout, organizations must invest in initial configuration, especially around policy definition and compliance reporting. However, the reduced need for user intervention and broader automation offset these upfront investments.

Early Reaction and Industry Implications​

Since the initial rollout of hotpatching for x64 devices, IT forums, enterprise admins, and managed service providers have reported a marked decrease in user complaints, downtime, and helpdesk tickets related to patching. The reliability of update delivery—combined with transparent reporting in Intune—has fostered greater trust in IT’s ability to secure endpoints with minimal friction.
The Arm64 extension is poised to accelerate adoption further, especially among organizations pursuing device modernization strategies. For industries with stringent uptime requirements, such as healthcare, finance, and critical infrastructure, the availability of non-disruptive patching is game-changing. On the other hand, organizations with niche application dependencies or legacy hardware will want to carefully test hotpatching in sandboxes before widespread deployment.
From a security perspective, the immediacy of hotpatching dramatically shortens the vulnerability window between patch release and deployment. This will likely reshape both attacker tactics and defense in depth strategies across the board.

Roadmap, Reporting, and Resources​

Microsoft’s robust support and guidance ecosystem ensures that organizations have all necessary tools to make the most of hotpatching on Arm64. The following resources and procedures are recommended:

• Official Documentation: Technical requirements, configuration steps, and troubleshooting are covered in Microsoft’s Hotpatch documentation and Windows 11, version 24H2 Enterprise hotpatch calendar.
• Community Engagement: The Windows Tech Community, as well as @MSWindowsITPro on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn, serve as prime venues for sharing best practices, receiving updates, and troubleshooting challenges alongside fellow IT professionals.
• Support and Feedback: Microsoft offers dedicated support channels and feedback mechanisms (including hotpatchfeedback@microsoft.com), underlining a commitment to continuous improvement in hotpatch experiences.
• User Readiness Programs: Share user guidance such as “Understanding security updates that get installed without a restart” to prime organizations for the cultural shift away from disruptive update windows.

Strengths and Risks: A Balanced Perspective​

Notable Strengths​

• Seamless Security: Applying critical fixes in real time helps organizations stay ahead of zero-day exploits and compliance deadlines, especially in regulated environments.
• User Experience: Hotpatching removes a major productivity bottleneck, reducing the risk of update fatigue and resistance to patch cycles.
• Operational Efficiency: Automation and policy-driven deployment enhance IT agility and reduce labor costs associated with manual interventions and failed updates.

Potential Risks and Open Challenges​

• Compatibility Edge Cases: Despite robust emulation, some legacy applications or device drivers may experience degraded performance or unexpected behavior when CHPE is disabled. Organizations should employ rigorous testing and maintain fallback strategies.
• Partial Coverage: Not every patch can be hotpatched; occasional restarts will still be necessary for system-level changes, requiring clear communication with end-users.
• Licensing and Cost: Hotpatching is gated behind business/education licenses, creating a potential barrier for individuals or smaller organizations eager to adopt cutting-edge security innovations.
• Initial Setup Complexity: While designed to be straightforward, enrolling devices in hotpatching—especially for distributed or BYOD environments—requires coordination, documentation, and monitoring.

The Path Forward​

Hotpatching for 64-bit Arm architecture cements Microsoft’s commitment to delivering modern, secure, and frictionless computing experiences across all Windows platforms. As device diversity grows and hybrid workstyles become entrenched, this capability promises to redefine best practices for update management, incident response, and business continuity planning.
For IT pros, system architects, and security leads, embracing hotpatching is not simply about ticking another compliance box—it is about embracing a future where security and productivity are not at odds. The ability to shield endpoints from emerging threats quickly and invisibly will prove decisive as the arms race between defenders and attackers escalates.
Microsoft’s measured approach—limiting availability to supported enterprise devices, requiring VBS, and maintaining a deliberate sprint/restart cadence—shows a clear understanding of both the technical opportunities and potential pitfalls. As more organizations pilot and scale hotpatching on Arm64, expect further refinements, expanded compatibility, and growing momentum toward a self-healing, always-patched Windows environment.
In summary, hotpatching is no longer just a futuristic promise—it is becoming a baseline expectation for Windows in the enterprise, on both x64 and Arm64 platforms. Organizations that seize this shift now will be better positioned to navigate the evolving landscape of threats, technology stacks, and user expectations that lie ahead.

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Source: Microsoft - Message Center Hotpatching now available for 64-bit Arm architecture - Windows IT Pro Blog