Microsoft introduced right this moment 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 offered, Home windows downloads safety updates and installs them within the background with out rebooting. To try 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 supply a whole set of OS safety patches. No extra options are included,” stated Microsoft right this moment. “They’re distinctive in that they take impact instantly upon set up with out requiring you to restart your system, serving to to make sure centered, speedy safety.”
In January, April, July, and October (the primary month of every quarter), Home windows gadgets with hotpatching assist will set up a cumulative safety replace (containing the newest safety fixes, options, and enhancements) and restart.
Nonetheless, throughout the subsequent two months, the gadgets will obtain scorching patch updates pushing solely safety fixes, which don’t require a restart (this cycle will repeat every quarter).
“Units keep safe and productive, and also you scale back the variety of required restarts for Home windows updates from twelve to simply 4 due to eight deliberate hotpatch updates every year,” Microsoft added.
Organizations that wish 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’ll be able to opt-in (or opt-out) gadgets for automated hotpatch replace deployment.
“And, excellent news, the standard replace coverage can auto-detect in case your focused gadgets are eligible for hotpatching,” the corporate stated. “All different Home windows 10 and Home windows 11 gadgets will proceed to obtain the usual month-to-month safety updates, guaranteeing that your ecosystem stays protected and productive.”
Right this moment, 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 data on the new Home windows 11 administrator safety safety function and stated it is engaged on a new “Fast Machine Restoration” function to assist admins use Home windows Replace “focused fixes” to repair programs rendered unbootable remotely.