Hotpatching for Windows Server 2025, which was previewed in 2024, will be available as a subscription service starting July 1, 2025. This feature allows for updates to be installed without the typical requirement for a reboot, effectively patching the in-memory code of active processes. This development represents a significant advancement for Windows Server, aligning with Microsoft’s hybrid and multicloud strategy through Azure.
Hotpatching enables a more seamless update process by allowing installations to occur without scheduling a reboot, essentially reducing downtime and increasing availability. The benefits include:
Currently, users can access hotpatching without charge in its preview phase, with a subscription cost of $1.50 USD per CPU core per month once launched.
To utilize hotpatching outside of Azure environments, such as on-premises setups or multicloud deployments, servers must be running Windows Server 2025 Standard or Datacenter and must be connected through Azure Arc. Users who were in the preview program will need to disenroll if they do not wish to continue with the subscription after June 30.
For those using Azure services, hotpatching is also available for Windows Server Datacenter: Azure Edition without additional requirements or costs.
To get started with hotpatching:
The hotpatch service will offer up to eight patches annually, adhering to a three-month cycle comprised of a baseline month—which requires a reboot—and two hotpatch months. Typically, baseline months are set for January, April, July, and October. In exceptional cases, a security update may necessitate a reboot even during hotpatch months.
For organizations looking to streamline their update processes and reduce downtime, the new hotpatching feature in Windows Server 2025 represents a significant shift toward greater efficiency. Interested users are encouraged to explore this capability during its preview phase before the subscription model launches.
For further information on Windows Server and hotpatching, you can visit Microsoft’s official page.
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