The latest Insider Preview of Windows 11 supports hot patching for the first time. This means that you no longer need to restart your PC after installing a Windows update

In the latest Windows 11 Insider Build 26058 (Canary), Microsoft is testing a new feature called “Hot Patching”. This allows the software giant to test Windows updates that do not require a system restart after installation. Microsoft already has a lot of experience with the technology. It is already actively used in Windows Server and Xbox today.

Build 26058 is Microsoft’s latest development process, with the future Windows 11 24H2 update scheduled to be released this fall. Hot patching is currently only being developed for traditional x86 machines. ARM systems will have to wait until 2025 to install Windows updates without rebooting.

Not every update works using the new method. Some still require a restart. Monthly security updates are probably an ideal first candidate for introducing the new method. In theory, you wouldn’t need to restart your PC until after the major quarterly updates in January, April, July and October.

Of course, unexpected updates in between can always require a restart, for example to close a serious zero-day leak.

The only thing Microsoft doesn’t provide any information about in its update is which Windows 11 versions will support hot patches. Does every version get it? Or is it only reserved for the Pro, Enterprise or Education versions? Wait for Microsoft to provide more clarity when the first phase of testing with Windows Insider Build 26058 with beta testers ends.