What's New – Windows 11 Hotpatch

What is Windows 11 Hotpatch?

Microsoft have announced at Ignite 2024 that Hotpatch updates will be coming to Windows 11 Enterprise version 24H2. Hotpatch updates provide a complete security patch, and they take effect immediately upon installation without requiring you to restart your device. This is a great step to help protect your organisation whilst minimising user disruptions when updates are required.

Hotpatch has been available for Windows Server 2022 for the last two years and will be expanding to Windows 11 24H2. The first month of each quarter (i.e. January, April, July, October), devices install the standard monthly security update and restart. The following two months devices are offered a Hotpatch update.

What are the requirements for this feature?

In order to use this feature you need to meet the following requirements:

• A Microsoft subscription that includes Windows Enterprise E3 or E5 (e.g. Business premium, A3+, E3+ and F3 licenses); or a Windows 365 Enterprise subscription.
• Devices must be running Windows 11 24H2 or later Operating System Version.
• VBS (Virtualisation-based security): VBS must be enabled to ensure secure installation of Hotpatch updates.
• Latest Baseline release: Devices must be on the latest Baseline release version to qualify for Hotpatch updates. Microsoft releases Baseline updates quarterly as standard cumulative updates.
• Update policy created in Windows Update for Business or Windows Autopatch

If devices aren't eligible for Hotpatch updates, these devices are offered the Latest Cumulative Update LCU.

When will this be available?

This feature is currently in public preview. It is being actively developed and might not be complete. Therefore, it is recommended not to use this within your production environment. However, you can deploy this to test devices to start testing this feature. As of yet there has not been a timeline provided for when this feature will be made generally available, so stay tuned for future updates.

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