Windows 11 updates may soon be less annoying as Microsoft is testing “hot patching” in the Insider Preview Build 26058. With this new process, critical security updates can be installed without requiring a system reboot. Microsoft already uses hot patching for Windows servers and Xbox, so it’s not entirely new.
In the upcoming “24H2” update for Windows 11, hot patching will be available for traditional x86 computers, while ARM-based computers will have to wait until 2025. The goal is to make installing security updates easier and faster, without the need for frequent reboots.
According to Windows expert Zac Bowden, hot patching will not eliminate the need for system reboots entirely. A basic update will still require a reboot every few months, specifically in January, April, July, and October. In between these months, hot patching will keep computers secure without interruptions.
It is not clear yet if all Windows 11 computers will receive hot patching or if it will be limited to certain editions like Windows 11 Enterprise or Education. The official Microsoft support document for Build 26058 does not mention hot patching.
This article was translated and originally appeared on pcwelt.de.
