Microsoft has recently announced a significant update regarding its hotpatching feature for Windows Server 2025. This feature, which allows updates to be installed without requiring a server restart, will transition to a subscription-based model starting from July 1, 2025. Previously, administrators could use hotpatching free of charge during a testing phase that began in September 2024.
The primary goal of hotpatching is to enhance security and reduce downtime during updates, thereby simplifying the management of Windows Server environments. Microsoft emphasizes the benefits of this feature in alleviating traditional disruptions associated with scheduled maintenance.
According to Microsoft’s official announcement, the subscription will cost $1.50 per CPU core per month, allowing users to predict their expenses for the service throughout the year, regardless of monthly usage.
Despite this new subscription service, Microsoft clarifies that server administrators will still need to perform around four restarts per year for specific updates. However, they believe that the time savings from hotpatching could significantly mitigate the challenges linked to the monthly Patch Tuesday updates.
For organizations not using Microsoft’s Azure cloud services, the hotpatching feature will be available for those operating Windows Server 2025 Standard or Datacenter editions in on-premises or multi-cloud environments, as long as they are connected to Azure Arc and have subscribed to the service. Organizations currently in the testing phase will need to stop using the free version by June 30, 2025, unless they choose to switch to the paid subscription.
Hotpatching has also been rolled out to Windows 11 desktop clients since early April 2025, accessible to users with E3, E5, F3, educational A3, A5 subscriptions, and those with a Windows 365 Enterprise license.
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