Hotpatching for Windows first reared its head as a realized idea back in February 2024, when it appeared as an experimental feature in a Windows 11 Insider Preview Build.

Hotpatching was removed in Windows 8 and later versions, because it was rarely used. During the 12 years support life of Windows Server 2003, only 10 patches used this technique.

However, hotpatching won't just be a feature for Azure Edition and Azure Stack HCI users, indicated Jeff Woolsey, principal program manager at Microsoft.

Hotpatching works by first establishing a baseline with a Windows Update Latest Cumulative Update." Benefits of using hotpatching to keep your Windows Server 2022 Azure VMs up to date and secure ...

Microsoft has introduced a new update method for Windows 11 Enterprise users called "hotpatching," which, as reported by Windows Latest, hopes to reduce the number of required system reboots.

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.