Windows Hotpatching Advances: Faster, Safer Updates on Windows 11 & ARM Devices

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:

What is Windows Hotpatching?​

• 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

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Source: Neowin More Windows PCs can now apply updates with fewer restarts