Microsoft enables hot patching for Windows 11 by default
Microsoft is switching Windows 11 clients to hotpatching by default for enterprise customers with Windows Autopatch.
No more reboots: Hotpatching reduces the number of reboots required after updates to four per year.
Microsoft enterprise customers who rely on Windows Autopatch for update management will now have hotpatching for Windows 11 clients enabled by default. This should reduce the number of restarts after security updates to four per year instead of monthly.
Microsoft has announced this in the Windows Release Health Message Center. "Hotpatching Windows 11 devices in your organization just got easier," the Redmond-based company promises there. In new guidelines for quality updates in Windows Autopatch, hotpatch updates are now enabled by default. "This means fewer reboots and faster security updates for your managed devices," Microsoft promises.
Windows Autopatch: cautious update distribution
Windows Autopatch is a paid service for customers with Microsoft Enterprise subscriptions. Similar to Microsoft with Microsoft Update, it distributes updates on a global level step by step in the managed company networks. Microsoft refers to this as "distribution rings". Initially, some computers receive an update while the system monitors the impact on the reliability of the machines. If there are no problems, the update is distributed to the next ring. If everything goes well there too, the general release finally takes place.
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In a support article, Microsoft discusses the possibilities and the use of hotpatch for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025. Windows Autopatch requires Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Windows 10/11 Education A3 or A5, Windows 10/11 Enterprise E3 or E5 or Windows 10/11 Enterprise E3 or E5 VDA as a license.
Microsoft already released the hotpatching function for Windows 11 desktops at the beginning of April. Microsoft now appears to have sufficient experience with it to justify its continued use.
(dmk)
