Windows updates have always required a restart to your PC, which can be a hassle. However, Microsoft is considering implementing hot-patching to make it easier for PCs with Windows 11 24H2 to apply updates without having to reboot their computers.
A support page mentioning this change was initially discovered by PhantomOcean 3 in a post on X (formerly Twitter) before being removed by Microsoft.
The hot-patching update is expected to apply to x86 versions initially, with Arm versions left out temporarily. This method will only be applicable to Windows’ monthly security updates, requiring a reboot once to install new features. Although fewer reboots will be needed with hot-patching, users will still need to restart their computers every two hot patch updates due to the release of four baseline updates that necessitate a reboot.
The benefits of hot-patching are significant, including faster installation, reduced resource usage, improved security, simplified patch orchestration, and decreased exposure to security threats. Microsoft has successfully used hot-patching on Windows servers and Xbox consoles, and its introduction to Windows 11 will enhance the update experience, minimize disruptions, and improve security by reducing the number of required reboots.
While there is no official release date for the wider availability of the 24H2 build, users can look forward to a smoother update process once it becomes available.
