Microsoft releases another unplanned hotpatch update for Windows 11

Hotpatching, i.e. installing and activating updates without a device restart, seems to be causing problems for Microsoft. The company is once again providing an unplanned update to resolve issues with the hotpatches from Microsoft's March Patchday.

In the Message Center of the Windows Release Health Notes, Microsoft announces the out-of-band update. According to the announcement, Microsoft has discovered a problem affecting enterprise editions of Windows with hotpatching enabled. Bluetooth devices may not appear in Windows settings on the "Bluetooth & devices" page or in the quick settings in the system tray. This also happens even if the devices connect and function as expected. More seriously, users may not be able to add new Bluetooth devices because they are not displayed in the list for connections.

Microsoft states this in the associated support article for the out-of-band update with the KB number KB5084897. This brings the builds to version 26200.7984 (Windows 11 25H2) or 26100.7984 (Windows 11 24H2) respectively.

Update only for Windows with active hotpatch

The update is only available for hotpatch-enabled devices, Microsoft further states. No action is required where Windows updates are offered through the usual channels. Since this is another hotpatch, it will be installed and take effect without requiring affected devices to be restarted. It is a cumulative update that includes all security measures and improvements from the March Windows hotpatch update – and from the unplanned update last weekend.

Microsoft had already distributed an out-of-band update for Windows devices with hotpatch enabled there. It corrected security vulnerabilities in the management tool of the Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS), which allowed attackers to smuggle and execute malicious code when connecting vulnerable clients to malicious servers.

(dmk)