Windows Server is making a major security upgrade that should help prevent future hacks
Some patches will be installed without rebooting the server
· TechRadarNews By Sead Fadilpašić published 23 September 2024
‘Hotpatching’ - the ability to install important patches without needing to restart the endpoint - is coming to Windows Server 2025.
The news was confirmed on the Windows blog late last week, when Windows Server Director of Product, Hari Pulapaka, announced the feature in preview.
“You asked and we delivered: Standard and Datacenter edition server hotpatching - security updates without reboots - is ready for your evaluation in Windows Server 2025 Azure Arc-enabled Hotpatch public preview,” the blog reads. “This feature will be a game changer; simpler change control, shorter patch windows, easier orchestration… and you may finally get to see your family on the weekends.”
General availability soon
Being able to install important updates without the need to restart the device is a big deal, since the patches will be deployed faster, with fewer resources used. Furthermore, fewer reboots also mean less workload impact, and better security.
"Instead of 12 mandatory reboots a year on 'Patch Tuesday,' you'll now only have quarterly scheduled reboots (with the rare possibility of reboots being required in a nominal Hotpatch month)," Pulapaka added.
The feature will be available through Azure Arc, which will enable management and allow the Windows Server internal licensing service for Hotpatch to run and deliver updates to users.
"When Windows Server 2025 becomes generally available, you will be able to run the edition you want, where you want - whether on-prem, in Azure, or elsewhere," Pulapaka concluded.
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