Microsoft has introduced a new update method for Windows 11 Enterprise users called "hotpatching," which, as reported by Windows Latest, hopes to reduce the number of required system reboots. This update method splits the annual update cycle into two categories: cumulative baseline updates and hot patch updates.
Cumulative baseline updates will be installed in January, April, July, and October and will still require a system restart. But hotpatch updates will be installed during the remaining eight months and will not require reboots.
This means users will only need to restart their systems four times a year instead of twelve, given that if they are not already shutting down their PCs every day, but given that it's for the Enterprise variant of Windows 11, even a small time used in reboot times could bring some extent of losses to firms.
Hot patching is currently limited to Enterprise editions of Windows 11, including E3, E5, F3, and Windows 365 Enterprise subscriptions. To use this, devices must meet certain requirements, such as having an x64 CPU (ARM is not supported by default), access to Microsoft Intune, and Virtualization-based Security (VBS) enabled.
Microsoft has made hot patching optional for administrators. They can manage it through the Intune admin center by creating a policy under Devices > Windows updates > Create Windows quality update policy. Older versions of Windows 11 and Windows 10 won't be eligible for hot patching and will continue with the current monthly security update process.