One of the worst aspects of Windows is that it is an operating system that is still quite expensive to maintain, even though it has improved in this regard over time and versions. Constant reboots are one thing that still exists, so Microsoft is trying a new method Windows 11, which would allow important updates to be installed without having to restart.

Depending on the starting point when performing the update process, you may encounter not one, but two or more reboots. This leads to a situation where the user cannot use their computer normally for long periods of time, which can be frustrating at work.

A feature that allows you to install important updates without rebooting is called hot patching (hot patching in English) from Microsoft and is nothing new as it is present in some editions of Windows Server and Xbox consoles. Given that it’s something that exists and how expensive desktop editions of Windows can be to maintain, it’s surprising that the Redmond giant didn’t consider its arrival sooner.

As reported by Windows Central, the latest Windows 11 Dev Channel build is testing the security update without restarting with “virtualization-based security” enabled. After installation, the Windows build chain will be updated to ge_release_svc_hotpatch_prod1.240211-0859. As for how it works, Microsoft explains through its documentation that hot patches work by “fixing code in the memory of running processes without having to restart the process.”

This hot patching mechanism does not seem to end reboots. In fact, it appears that his application is based on a basic update that will require a reboot every few monthsand we must add that other types of updates are intended to continue to require the same number of restarts as always, which, along with how much Windows 11 moves with its updates, may lead to a lower profit than expected.

He hot patching It may arrive later this year along with the launch of the Windows 11 2024 update for x86_64 machines (Intel and AMD)with the same support expected to make its way to the system build for ARM during 2025. Another point that remains up in the air is whether it will reach all users or just specific editions.

Update management in desktop editions of Windows is a problem that Microsoft should address very seriously, as there is a system called ChromeOS that is able to perform the update process in the background and without interrupting the user. On the other hand, in the GNU/Linux world, immutable systems such as Fedora Silverblue and openSUSE MicroOS are emerging, which are cold-updated and designed to be as minimally disruptive to user maintenance as possible.