Microsoft introduced a new feature in the test version of Windows 11 called Hotpatching, which eliminates the need for frequent restarts of the operating system after installing updates.
Hotpatching allows for the correction of code in advanced processes directly in RAM without requiring a system reboot, as explained by Microsoft. This means that users can install certain updates seamlessly without having to restart the operating system.
While the concept of “hot patching” is not new and has been used in Windows Server before, Microsoft is now testing this functionality in Windows 11 Dev Channel. With this innovation, users no longer have to reboot the OS after every monthly security update.
However, periodic reboots will still be necessary – approximately once every three months to install essential system updates. Instead of monthly restarts, users will now only need to reboot their system once every quarter, in January, April, July, and October, according to Windows Central.
Despite this, critical security updates, new features, or fixes may still require system reboots outside of the schedule at any time.
According to reports from Windows Central, Microsoft plans to include the hotpatching feature in the consumer version of Windows 11 24H2, set to be released in the second half of this year. Initially, the function will be available for devices with X86-64 architecture, with ARM64 support expected by 2025. It is currently unclear which specific versions of Windows 11 will receive the hotpatching feature.