Most Windows users will agree that one of the most annoying things about the operating system is updates. While Windows updates are necessary, they often tend to appear at the worst possible time, interrupting work and gaming sessions with persistent reminders that the system needs a reboot. Microsoft might be fixing this problem in the upcoming version of Windows 11 24H2, but it’s still too early to say goodbye to those botched reboots.

As spotted in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26058, Microsoft is testing “hot patching” for some Windows 11 updates. Hot Patching refers to a dynamic update method that often doesn’t change the software version and may not even require a restart. Under Windows 11, it’s pretty simple — Windows will install the update and you won’t need to restart your system.

Microsoft is no stranger to hot patching. This method has been used on Windows servers and Xbox consoles. However, this does not mean that it will be able to implement it in Windows 11 for all consumers.

According to Zac Bowden of Windows Central, the patch can only be used in the monthly security updates promoted by Microsoft. While this will eliminate the annoyance of having to reboot on command most of the time, you should do it occasionally. Bowden says that means restarts in January, April, July and October.

Many people restart their computer on a daily basis, but even then, being forced to restart by Windows Update can become annoying. Updates sometimes take time to apply and may require more than one computer restart, and the pop-up reminders make it feel like even more of a chore.

Hot Patching is still a long way from its implementation as it is going to be released along with the rest of the new features in Windows 11 24H2 and will have a new hardware requirement that previous versions didn’t have. More importantly, it’s still unclear if the patch will even make it to consumer versions of Windows. it could end up being a feature for commercial customers, such as Windows 11 Enterprise or Education.

If hot patching makes it to Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Professional, it will be a significant quality of life improvement for Microsoft customers.

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