Microsoft enterprise customers using Windows Autopatch for update management will now have hotpatch updates enabled for Windows 11 clients by default. This will reduce the number of reboots after security updates to four per year instead of monthly.
Microsoft announced this in the Windows Release Health Message Center.
“Hotpatching Windows 11 devices in your organization just got easier,” promises the Redmond-based company. In the new guidelines for quality updates with Windows Autopatch, hotpatch updates are now enabled by default. “This means fewer reboots and faster security updates for your managed devices,” Microsoft says.
Windows Autopatch is a paid service for customers with Microsoft Enterprise subscriptions. Microsoft Update distributes updates globally in a phased manner across the company’s managed networks. Microsoft refers to this as “distribution rings.” Initially, a few computers receive an update while the system monitors the reliability of the machines. If there are no problems, the update is distributed to the next ring. If all goes well there, the general release is eventually made.
In a support article , Microsoft lists the capabilities and usage of hotpatch for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025. Windows Autopatch requires a Microsoft 365 Business Premium license, Windows 10/11 Education A3 or A5, Windows 10/11 Enterprise E3 or E5, or Windows 10/11 Enterprise E3 or E5 VDA.
Microsoft has been rolling out hotpatching to Windows 11 desktops since early April . The company's goal was to test the new feature on as many devices as possible before making it available to paying companies.
Microsoft is trying to have sufficient experience with the new feature to allow its use to select customers.
Everyone else has the role of tester, or as the company calls it, Windows Insider, even if they didn't choose it.
George is still wondering what he is doing here….
