Microsoft has announced that its new hot patching feature for Windows Server 2025 will be a paid service starting in July, costing $1.50 per core per month. This functionality allows system administrators to apply updates without needing to reboot servers, thereby facilitating quicker implementation of security measures. It has already been available for Windows Server Azure Edition and 2022, and Microsoft describes it as a “game changer” for on-premises deployments.
Previously, hot patching was introduced in a preview for Windows Server 2025 in Azure in August 2024, followed by another preview for servers managed via the Arc hybrid and multicloud management system. The additional functionalities rolled out in this latest preview enable hot patching on Standard and Datacenter Editions, making it a significant advancement in server management.
Microsoft plans to deliver eight hot patches annually, but cautions that restarts will still be occasionally required for security. Importantly, users currently utilizing the preview version will transition to the paid model on July 1 unless they opt out before June 30.
This decision has sparked concerns among some security experts, who view it as another attempt by Microsoft to monetize essential security features, noting that this could hinder overall security levels for paying users. The introduction of hot patching was celebrated as a key addition to Windows Server 2025, but it seems to now be part of a subscription model that raises questions about the accessibility of vital security updates.
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