Published on April 30th, 2025
Introduction
System restarts after updates are a long-standing pain point for IT admins managing Windows Server environments. These reboots interrupt services, reduce availability, and create maintenance windows that can slow business operations. But in 2025, Microsoft is solving this issue with Windows Server Hotpatching—a feature designed to apply security updates without requiring a reboot. In this article, we explore how hotpatching works, what versions support it, and why your organization should consider enabling it.
1. What Is Windows Server Hotpatching?
Hotpatching allows you to apply critical Windows updates without rebooting the server. Instead of applying patches that require system file replacements followed by restarts, hotpatches modify code in memory while the system remains fully operational.
Key Benefits:
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No downtime for patching
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Reduced maintenance windows
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Increased service availability
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Seamless updates with fewer disruptions
2. How Does Hotpatching Work?
Microsoft’s hotpatching technology works by:
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Applying updates to in-memory processes
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Avoiding changes that would require a full system reboot
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Rebooting only periodically during baseline cumulative updates (e.g., every 3–6 months)
This means most security updates can be installed while your workloads continue running.
3. Requirements and Compatibility
Hotpatching is available for:
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Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition
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Windows Server VMs running on Azure or Azure Stack HCI
To use it, you must:
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Enable Azure Automanage for Windows Server
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Join your VM to Azure Arc (for hybrid management)
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Use Microsoft Update or Windows Update for Business
Note: Traditional on-prem Windows Server Standard or Datacenter editions do not currently support hotpatching.
4. Hotpatching vs. Traditional Patching
| Feature | Traditional Patching | Hotpatching |
|---|---|---|
| Requires Reboot? | Yes | No (except periodically) |
| Service Downtime | Often | Minimal to none |
| Update Frequency | Monthly | More frequent but less disruptive |
| Azure Integration | Optional | Required |
With hotpatching, IT teams no longer need to schedule late-night reboots or risk service disruptions during business hours.
5. Why You Should Enable Hotpatching
Organizations benefit from hotpatching by:
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Improving uptime for mission-critical applications
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Enhancing security with timely patching
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Reducing IT operational overhead
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Meeting SLAs without service interruptions
Especially for industries like finance, healthcare, and e-commerce where availability and compliance are top priorities, hotpatching offers a smarter way to stay secure and agile.
Conclusion
If you’re tired of service interruptions and the stress of planning patch reboots, it’s time to explore Windows Server Hotpatching. With this powerful feature, your servers stay up-to-date without the need for constant restarts—boosting productivity, uptime, and peace of mind. As businesses move toward cloud-first and hybrid environments, hotpatching is not just a convenience—it’s a competitive advantage.
