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Your PC won’t need a reboot to install Windows updates, Microsoft reportedly working on Hot Patching
It will save time, improve productivity, and reduce instances of errors
2 min. read
Published onFebruary 26, 2024
published onFebruary 26, 2024
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Soon, you won’t have to restart the computer to install Windows updates. Presently, there is aRestart nowbutton in theWindows Updatesettings that does the job. But it will be gone in the future versions of the OS!
As perWindows Central, Microsoft is reportedly working on aHot Patchingfeature that lets Windows updates install even without a reboot. It’s already present in a few versions of Windows Server and Xbox consoles.
Microsoft’s official documenttells us thatHot Patchingbasically eliminates the need to reboot and quickly installs the update. It does so by patching the in-memory code of active processes.
ForWindows 11 Insider Preview Build 26058 (Canary and Dev Channels), you won’t have to restart the PC to installBuild 26058.1400 (KB5036080)ifVirtualization Based Security (VBS)is enabled.
To enableVBS, pressWindows+Sto openRun> typegpedit.msc> hitEnter> expandAdministrative TemplatesunderComputer Configuration> double-click onSystem> selectDevice Guard> chooseTurn on Virtualization Based Security> selectEnabled> clickApplyandOKto save the changes.
Soon, the functionality may be deployed inWindows 11,version 24H2, the upcoming version of the latest iteration.
Will Hot Patching work with all updates?
As per the available information,Hot Patchingwon’t apply to all updates but the monthly security ones. You will be required to reboot after a new baseline is installed or if the update requires it.
It’s expected that reboots will be required only once every three months.
Besides that, any critical update or one with a patch may require a reboot because your applications remain unaffected during the hot patching.
So, whileHot Patchingmay not altogether eliminate the need to reboot, it will significantly reduce the instances, once introduced on the regular Windows version.
However, it remains to be seen if and when the feature will be available to you. Because, at present, it’s unclear if all or specific Windows editions will get the functionality.
In our view, eliminating the need for a restart to install Windows updates is a welcome step. Rebooting takes time, affects the workflow, and often leads to errors and, in rare cases, data loss.
What’s your view on Microsoft introducingHot Patchingin Windows 11 24H2? Share with our readers in the comments section.
More about the topics:microsoft,Update,Windows 11
Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim has always been fond of technology, be it scrolling through the settings on his iPhone, Android device, or Windows PC. He’s specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
Long-time Windows user, Kazim is ready to provide a solution for your every software & hardware error on Windows 11, Windows 10 and any previous iteration. He’s also one of our experts in Networking & Security.
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Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim is specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
