Latest news with #Windows11Enterprise
Forbes
29-04-2025
- Forbes
Microsoft Confirms $1.50 Windows Security Update Hotpatch Fee Starts July 1
Would you pay for no-reboot Windows security updates? Update, April 29, 2025: This story, originally published April 28, has been updated with further information regarding the paid for hotpatching security update service that will cost Windows Server 2025 users $1.50 per core from July 1. When it comes to security updates, those that fix vulnerabilities in an operating system used by billions are high on the mandatory agenda. Which is why it has not been the greatest month for Microsoft, what with the online furor after a recent Windows security patch added a mysterious folder, without any explanation. Social media 'experts' advised users to delete it, only for Microsoft to issue an advisory warning that would leave them open to attack. That update, and the installation of the inetpub folder, has now been shown to actually open the path to a different Windows hack attack. Now the whole Windows security update business has another contentious issue to deal with: charging a monthly subscription to receive no-reboot security 'hotpatch' updates. As I reported April 14, Microsoft is moving toward a time whereby a hotpatching function would negate the need to reboot your Windows system following a security update. The no-reboot security fixes would download and install in the background, deployed within the in-memory code of already running processes. That report was concerning the feature coming to users of a very specific version of Windows 11: Windows 11 Enterprise, version 24H2 for x64 (AMD/Intel) CPU device users running Microsoft Intune for deployment. Now, Janine Patrick, Windows Server product marketing manager, and Artem Pronichkin, a senior program manager at Microsoft, have confirmed that the hotpatch system for Windows Server 2025, comes out of preview mode on July 1. Microsoft has said that hotpatching brings a number of important benefits to the security update process. Not least that there will be higher availability with fewer reboots required, and that's no bad thing in anyone's book. Updates will be faster to deploy as they will arrive in much smaller packages that install quickly and, Microsoft pointed out, have easier patch orchestration with the optional Azure Update Manager. Finally, and most important as far as I am concerned, is the fact that because there is no rebooting required, the windows of vulnerability, that period between a vulnerability becoming known and getting patched, so leaving it open to exploit by attackers, closes sooner. This is particularly of note, Microsoft said, 'if an administrator might normally delay an update and restart after a Windows security update is released.' Microsoft has said that the Windows Server 2025 hotpatching feature, which has been available in preview mode since 2024, will become a subscription-only service from July 1. So, who has to pay the fee? Well, first things first, to be able to run the no-reboot hotpatch security updates feature, Microsoft said that you will need to be using 'Windows Server 2025 Standard or Datacenter, and your server must be connected to Azure Arc.' The important and controversial bit quickly followed: 'You will also need to subscribe to the Hotpatch service.' Although hotpatching has been available for the longest time for Windows Server Datacenter: Azure Edition, and it will continue without charge, these security updates for Windows Server 2025 users will cost $1.50 per CPU core per month. Yes, you read that right, per core. 'With hotpatching,' Microsoft said, 'you will still need to restart your Windows Servers about four times yearly for baseline updates, but hotpatching can save significant time and ease the inconvenience of a traditional Patch Tuesday.' Only you can decide if it is for you, and the service is entirely optional.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Time of India
Microsoft's hotpatching feature for Windows security update is no longer free! Get ready to pay $1.50 from July 1
If you hate waiting for your device to reboot after installing any update, you might have heard about the hotpatching feature by now. Microsoft provided a free hotpatching feature in preview mode till now. However, that is going to change as the tech giant has confirmed that hotpatching for its much-hyped Windows Server 2025 operating system, which was made available in preview mode last year, is all set to become a paid subscription service starting July 1, 2025. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India stares at a 'water bomb' threat as it freezes Indus Treaty India readies short, mid & long-term Indus River plans Shehbaz Sharif calls India's stand "worn-out narrative" The news was shared by Windows Server product marketing manager Janine Patrick and senior program manager Artem Pronichkin in a blog on April 24. Hotpatching: How does it work? As per the tech giant, Windows Server 2025 has an all new way to install updates through hotpatching. This takes away the need to reboot the users' devices post the completion of the installation of an update. The feature was made possible by patching in-memory code of processes that are already running, avoiding the need to restart the system. GIF89a����!�,D; 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The cost of hearing aids in Naroda might surprise you! Learn More Undo In an earlier report, Forbes stated that this feature was for users of Windows 11, especially for Windows 11 Enterprise (version 24H2). Also Read : Canada Elections 2025 results: What will US, China gain from polls? Live Events Hotpatching: Subscription price and key requirements In order to use the hotpatching feature, users must have 'Windows Server 2025 Standard or Datacenter', while they need to ensure that their server remains connected to Azure Arc. Apart from this, people will also need to take a paid subscription of the Hotpatch service, the company said. For now, this service is available to users at no additional charges on preview mode. However, this changes from July onwards when a subscription fee will be launched. Post that, hotpatching for Windows Server 2025 users will be made available at a cost of "$1.50 per CPU core per month," the blog added. For years, hotpatching has remained available for the users of Windows Server Datacenter: Azure Edition. It is accessible to them without any extra charge. Hotpatching benefits In simple terms, this provides an all-new way to users for installing their crucial updates in the Windows Server 2025. In this, people will not be required to reboot their devices after installation. This ensures fast deployment of updates to the devices, since these packages are smaller in size and get installed quickly, Microsoft said. Thanks to the availability of Azure Update Manager , this has easier patch orchestration. To install baseline updates, users will still be required to restart the devices for about four times on an yearly basis. The need to roll a subscription fee comes after a mysterious 'inetpub' folder got added to devices after users installed a Windows security patch, leading to major social media outrage. As per reports, the company later advised users to avoid deleting the same. Also Read : Golden retrievers or labradors: Planning to adopt a dog? Check which breed will be suitable for you FAQs 1. How to enable hotpatching? Connect your server to Azure Arc and sign into the Azure Portal. Visit the Azure Update Manager and open the Azure Arc-enabled server option to select hotpatching. 2. What to do if you have selected to try the hotpatching service through Azure Arc in preview? Such Windows Server 2025 users will have to disenroll latest by June 30 to end the preview, otherwise their subscription starts automatically from July 2025.
Forbes
28-04-2025
- Forbes
Microsoft Confirms $1.50 Windows Security Update Fee Starts July 1
Would you pay for no-reboot Windows security updates? When it comes to security updates, those that fix vulnerabilities in an operating system used by billions are high on the mandatory agenda. Which is why it has not been the greatest month for Microsoft. What with the online furore after a recent Windows security patch added a mysterious folder, without any explanation, and social media 'experts' advised users to delete it, only for Microsoft to issue an advisory warning that would leave them open to attack. That update, and the installation of the inetpub folder, has now been shown to actually open the path to a different Windows hack attack. Now the whole Windows security update business has another contentious issue to deal with: charging a monthly subscription to receive no-reboot security 'hotpatch' updates. As I reported April 14, Microsoft is moving toward a time whereby a hotpatching function would negate the need to reboot your Windows system following a security update. The no-reboot security fixes would download and install in the background, deployed within the in-memory code of already running processes. That report was concerning the feature coming to users of a very specific version of Windows 11: Windows 11 Enterprise, version 24H2 for x64 (AMD/Intel) CPU device users running Microsoft Intune for deployment. Now, Janine Patrick, Windows Server product marketing manager, and Artem Pronichkin, a senior program manager at Microsoft, have confirmed that the hotpatch system for Windows Server 2025, which has been available in preview mode since 2024, will become a subscription-only service from July 1. To be able to run the no-reboot hotpatch security updates feature, Microsoft said that you will need to be using 'Windows Server 2025 Standard or Datacenter, and your server must be connected to Azure Arc.' The important and controversial bit quickly followed: 'You will also need to subscribe to the Hotpatch service.' Although hotpatching has been available for the longest time for Windows Server Datacenter: Azure Edition, and will continue without charge, these security updates for Windows Server 2025 users will cost $1.50 USD per CPU core per month. 'With hotpatching,' Microsoft said, 'you will still need to restart your Windows Servers about four times yearly for baseline updates, but hotpatching can save significant time and ease the inconvenience of a traditional Patch Tuesday.'
Forbes
14-04-2025
- Forbes
No Reboot Security Updates Come To Windows 11 — But There's A Catch
Security hotpatching comes to Windows 11 Enterprise. Windows updates, especially Windows security updates, are an essential yet often annoying consequence of using Microsoft's operating system. Without them, you would be unable to stay on top of the threat from newly discovered vulnerabilities, for example. However, when one of these updates installs a mysterious new folder, without proper explanation, and sets off a whole new social media privacy conspiracy, the annoying side comes to the fore. It's not as annoying, though, as having to wait for your device to go through the reboot cycle that installing Windows security updates brings to the party. Microsoft has taken note and introduced a new 'hotpatching' function to Windows 11 that enables security updates to download and install in the background, deploying them within running process in-memory code, and without any rebooting required. If you are using the correct version of Windows 11, that is. And there, dear reader, comes the catch. The really good news is that in confirming the arrival of the new security update hotpatching process, Microsoft said that it means 'users can continue their work without interruptions while hotpatch updates are installed,' with no restarts required for the remainder of that quarter. All of which while taking effect immediately to provide 'rapid protection against vulnerabilities.' If you could see me, you would notice me standing up and cheering at this point. You might also spot that I have sat straight back down again with a glum expression. That's because the April 2 Microsoft announcement quickly poured water on the excitement by adding that the feature is only available to Windows 11 Enterprise, version 24H2 for x64 (AMD/Intel) CPU device users. Oh, and they will need Microsoft Intune for deployment as well. Don't get me wrong, this is great news for organizations that meet the requirements. As David Callaghan, who authored the announcement, said: 'With hotpatch updates, you can quickly take measures to help protect your organization from cyberattacks, while minimizing user disruptions.' But it does leave the rest of us wondering when we will get the same treatment. There is one glimmer of hope for Windows 11 users, and that comes in the form of the 0patch micro-patching service, which uses a patching agent to apply fixes in memory without disturbing the individual Windows process concerned. This a subscription-based service, although it releases zero-day micro patches for free to bridge the gap between them becoming known and Microsoft fixing them officially. Maybe Microsoft should buy 0patch and then roll it out to everyone.
