Here’s a summary of the latest advancements and the key points about Windows Hotpatching for Windows 11, including the recent expansion to Windows on ARM devices:
For further technical details or enterprise deployment guides, you can reference Microsoft’s official documentation or IT blog.
Source: Neowin Article
Source: Neowin More Windows PCs can now apply updates with fewer restarts
- Windows Hotpatching allows the operating system to install critical security updates without needing to restart the device immediately.
- Previously available only on Windows Server and later on x64-based Windows 11 (Intel/AMD), it's now rolling out for ARM-based devices as well, supporting even more hardware with the 24H2 release.
Benefits
- Immediate Security: Security updates are applied as soon as they’re available, closing any security gaps before a reboot would traditionally be required.
- Reduced Restarts: Hotpatching greatly minimizes, though does not fully eliminate, required restarts. Users experience less disruption and increased uptime.
- Higher Productivity: With fewer interruptions and shorter maintenance windows, both end-users and IT admins see a boost in productivity.
- Smaller, Faster Updates: Hotpatches are more targeted and smaller, allowing for quicker update deployments.
- Central Management: IT admins can manage and deploy hotpatches using Microsoft Intune and Windows Autopatch, making organizational management streamlined and efficient.
How Hotpatching Works
- Hotpatches are issued monthly and do not require a restart.
- Every three months, a full “baseline” update (with a reboot) is required to keep systems stable and synchronized.
- After the baseline update, users get two months with no required restarts, only hotpatches.
- Some exceptional updates might still require a restart, but the frequency is drastically reduced.
System & Organizational Impact
- Enterprises: Organizations benefit from increased compliance, less downtime, and easier auditing. Deployment can be automated via Intune or Windows Autopatch .
- End Users: Noticeably fewer forced restarts and interruptions.
- IT Security: Much lower vulnerability window thanks to immediate patch application.
Support and Coverage
- With the Windows 11 24H2 update, hotpatch support now includes ARM devices as well as existing x64 ones.
- This applies specifically to Windows 11 Enterprise edition initially, and may expand to more editions in the future.
Learn More and Documentation
- Microsoft provides detailed documentation, enrollment guides, system requirements, and policy information on its official blog and documentation site. It's advised to check these before planning a rollout or upgrade for your organization.
Summary
Hotpatching represents Microsoft’s move toward “always-up-to-date” security with as little user disruption as possible, setting a new standard for OS update strategies on both servers and client endpoints—available now on x64 and ARM Windows 11 Enterprise systems from version 24H2 onward .For further technical details or enterprise deployment guides, you can reference Microsoft’s official documentation or IT blog.
Source: Neowin Article
Source: Neowin More Windows PCs can now apply updates with fewer restarts