Microsoft to launch paid hotpatching service for Windows Server 2025

Microsoft has announced it will introduce a paid subscription model for hotpatching updates on Windows Server 2025 starting July 1, 2025.

The move marks a major change for businesses managing Windows Server systems outside Azure, as the service shifts from free preview access to a paid feature.

Under the new plan, customers will pay $1.50 (Sh193.10 ) per CPU core each month to access the hotpatching service.

This change also brings a previously Azure-only benefit to on-premises servers and hybrid setups, with integration available through Azure Arc.

Hotpatching technology allows companies to install important security and critical updates without restarting their servers.

Instead of shutting down services or rebooting machines, updates are applied directly to the in-memory code running on the server.

This method has long been used by Linux administrators through tools like kpatch and ksplice.

Now, Microsoft is making it a regular option for businesses operating Windows Server.

The main advantage of hotpatching is reducing downtime and strengthening security without interrupting services.

Microsoft has outlined how the hotpatching cycle will work.

During January, April, July, and October, known as baseline months, Windows Server will receive a full cumulative update, requiring a reboot to set a new baseline.

In the two months following each baseline, Microsoft will issue critical patches via hotpatching that do not require rebooting the server.

With this system, servers would only need to reboot around four times a year, unlike the current schedule that often involves monthly reboots.

However, Microsoft noted that in rare cases, urgent security updates might still require a reboot even during a hotpatch month.

Despite this, the company aims to deliver up to eight no-reboot patches per year.

Microsoft's decision to move hotpatching to a paid service follows a successful free preview phase.

The Windows Server team emphasized that hotpatching brings key benefits to customers focused on keeping their systems up and running without disruptions.

According to Microsoft, the value of hotpatching includes reduced downtime, allowing companies to maintain normal operations without planning for weekend or late-night server reboots.

Hotpatching also enables faster patch deployments, as the updates are smaller and quicker to install.

The technology improves security by addressing vulnerabilities promptly, without delays caused by reboot coordination.

It also boosts operational efficiency by simplifying change management and patch orchestration tasks.

Microsoft shared that internal teams, such as the Xbox division, have already seen strong results with hotpatching.

Tasks that previously took several weeks have now been completed within days, showcasing how much the service can streamline operations.

By offering hotpatching as a subscription, Microsoft is targeting businesses that demand maximum uptime, faster security responses, and easier system management.

As the company prepares for the full rollout in July 2025, it is clear that the addition of hotpatching as a paid service marks a new chapter in how Windows Server environments will be managed, especially for those running servers outside Azure.