Microsoft Activates “Reboot Less” Hotpatch Updates for Windows 11 Enterprise Systems

Understanding Windows 11 Hotpatch Updates

Windows 11’s innovative hotpatch updates represent a significant shift in how update management is handled, particularly for enterprise users. Launched in March 2024, hotpatching aims to minimize the disruption caused by frequent system reboots, a common pain point during the update process. This feature, however, is currently exclusive to Windows 11 Enterprise users.

What is Hotpatching?

Hotpatching is a new approach to applying updates that modifies the in-memory code of active processes, rather than following the traditional update installation method. This marks a transformative step in update technology as it reduces the necessity of system reboots during updates.

Historically, Windows users are accustomed to needing a reboot every time a cumulative update is applied, particularly during the second Tuesday of each month, famously known as Patch Tuesday. This routine brings important security patches and occasionally introduces new features that are critical for system stability.

A New Update Structure: Cumulative vs. Hotpatching Updates

Microsoft has revamped the conventional update cycle for Windows 11, subdividing it into Cumulative and Hotpatching categories. Here’s how it works:

In January, April, July, and October, substantial cumulative updates will be released, necessitating a system reboot for application.
For the remaining eight months of the year, hotpatch updates will be delivered, allowing for silent installations without a full system shutdown.

With this new system, enterprise users can anticipate a total of four mandatory restarts annually while enjoying up to eight months of seamless updates, effectively minimizing downtime.

Benefits of Hotpatching

The significant advantage of this method is the potential to save eight restart sessions each year. This means that you can continue your work uninterrupted while your system applies necessary security patches. However, it’s important to note that new feature additions will now occur quarterly rather than the previous monthly schedule, prioritizing security and stability over frequent enhancements.

System Requirements for Hotpatching

To leverage Windows 11 hotpatch updates, the following prerequisites must be met:

A valid Windows 11 Enterprise edition is required, including E3, E5, or F3, or an active Windows 365 Enterprise subscription.
Your PC must possess an x64 CPU; ARM-based devices are not officially supported for enterprise usage, although they may be enabled by disabling the Compatible Hardware Program (CHPE).
Access to Microsoft Intune is necessary for managing the update policies.
Your system must be equipped with Virtualization-based Security (VBS).

Importantly, Microsoft allows IT administrators to opt out from implementing hotpatching if they prefer to stick with the standard update methods.

Managing Hotpatch Updates

All settings related to hotpatching can be controlled through the Intune admin center. To configure your policies, follow these steps:

Navigate to the Devices section.
Click on Windows updates.
Select Create Windows quality update policy and change the setting to Allow.

Be aware that older versions of Windows 11 and previous versions like Windows 10 will adhere to the traditional update protocols and will not benefit from this advanced feature.

Stay Updated on Hotpatching

It’s crucial to stay informed about ongoing updates and changes to system requirements as Microsoft broadens the deployment of hotpatching. Regular monitoring of official resources can provide insights and guidance on utilizing this feature to enhance your enterprise’s update management strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the primary advantage of using hotpatching in Windows 11?

Hotpatching minimizes the need for system reboots, allowing updates to be applied silently without disrupting your work, thus enhancing productivity in enterprise environments.

2. Which editions of Windows 11 support hotpatching?

Hotpatching is available exclusively for Windows 11 Enterprise editions, including E3, E5, or F3, along with Windows 365 Enterprise subscriptions.

3. How often will I need to reboot my PC with hotpatching?

With hotpatching, you will need to reboot your PC only four times a year, during the monthly cumulative updates in January, April, July, and October, while enjoying silent updates during the remaining months.

For further details, check the official source.