Microsoft has recently rolled out notable updates to Windows 11 24H2 and Windows Server 2025, featuring new technologies such as Recall and hotpatching, which are essential for security teams to understand.
The Recall feature, designed to create snapshots of user activity on devices, has received significant scrutiny over privacy concerns. Initially branded as a "privacy nightmare," Microsoft has adapted it to be an opt-in feature after backlash regarding its potential to compromise user data. Recall requires specialized hardware, namely a neural processing unit (NPU), to function, and is available on devices running Windows 11 Home, Professional, and Enterprise editions.
This feature processes personal activity data using AI and optical character recognition, creating searchable records of actions taken across applications and websites. Security teams are advised to consider policies that may restrict Recall’s installation in environments where privacy and data security are a priority, particularly concerning temporary staff accessing sensitive resources. Additionally, early iterations of Recall lacked sufficient encryption, making the snapshots accessible to other users on the device.
Microsoft provides recommendations to manage Recall effectively, with the guidance specifying that by default, it is removed on commercially managed devices.
Alongside Recall, Microsoft has introduced Windows hotpatching, which aims to enable security updates with minimal disruption to system operations. This feature allows for the deployment of updates without necessitating system reboots, provided that organizations are using Windows 11 Enterprise and managed through Microsoft Intune.
Not all updates will qualify for hotpatching; therefore, IT teams must assess their update policies accordingly. A published calendar from Microsoft details which updates will require reboots versus those that will not.
Organizations should also reassess their security baseline settings for both Windows 24H2 and Server 2025 to ensure robust security policies are in place. Security configurations such as blocking consumer Microsoft account logins to enforce Entra ID authentication and managing features like Copilot and Recall are critical aspects of maintaining a secure environment.
Specific recommendations include tightening account lockout thresholds from ten to three failed attempts and enforcing a smart card crypto agility policy to enhance login security. Advanced features enable administrators to define protocols related to password history and account management actions post-authentication, which are essential in reinforcing security measures.
Another significant point of contention is Microsoft’s initiative to phase out NTLM, which has long been identified as a vulnerability in network security. New policies are being introduced to block NTLM usage in favor of more secure authentication methods. Administrators are encouraged to start the transition to eliminate NTLM from their systems entirely.
As organizations adapt to Windows 11 24H2 and Server 2025, a thorough review of authentication processes and an emphasis on modern security protocols will be crucial to ensuring a resilient network environment.
For detailed guidance, Microsoft and the Center for Internet Security provide essential resources to aid in the implementation of these updates securely.
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