For a considerable amount of time, people have wished to be able to avoid having to reboot their computers after running Windows updates. Rumors circulating in the tech community indicate that Microsoft is testing hot patching capabilities for Windows 11, possibly beginning with the next version 24H2. This means that this fantasy could very soon become a reality.
Unveiling the Leak: A Hint of Progress
This intriguing report originates from Zac Bowden, a well-known figure in the Microsoft leak community. The Windows 11 preview build (26058) has an update that he found that was intended to test the “servicing pipeline” for version 24H2. Despite its seemingly benign appearance, this update includes an important detail: it states that customers who have activated Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) “may not experience a restart upon installing the update.”
Hot Patching Explained: A Convenient Approach
The explicit reference to preventing restarts suggests the use of hot patching technologies. Hot patching enables updates to be done “on the fly” without interfering with ongoing processes, in contrast to traditional updates that necessitate a complete system restart. This method is already used for Xbox consoles and Windows Server, so it’s interesting to see how it might be used to Windows 11.
A Look at the Future: A Graded Rollout
It’s important to remember that this is still early in the process before throwing caution to the wind and celebrating the total abolition of reboots. Testing suggests a bright future, but the precise implementation is still unknown. Bowden also makes it clear that monthly cumulative updates, rather than significant feature releases like the planned 24H2, are probably the hot patching aim.
Not All Updates are Created Equal: The Baseline Dilemma
Moreover, not all cumulative updates will receive hot patches. A baseline update is necessary for hot patching since it provides the framework for all other updates. The hot patches build upon this baseline update as a shared base. The important thing to remember is that, even with this baseline update, the system may still need to be rebooted occasionally—possibly every few months—in order to maintain compatibility with the hot patches and to refresh the system.
A Potential Roadmap: Balancing Convenience and Stability
While the specifics are open to speculation, Bowden suggests a possible scenario:
- Quarterly Reboots: Quarterly updates that necessitate a traditional reset could take place, such as in January and April.
- Hot-Patched Months: Hot patches would be applied without requiring a restart in between the quarterly updates (February, March, May, and June), guaranteeing a more seamless user experience.
- Exceptions Remain: It’s crucial to keep in mind that because of their larger scope and potential for system modifications, yearly updates and out-of-band security fixes would probably still call for a reboot.
Benefits and Drawbacks: A Weighing Scale
If effectively realized, a future without reboots will surely enhance the user experience. There would be fewer interruptions to work or leisure, increasing user happiness overall. Hot patching is still a relatively new technique in the Windows space, therefore it’s vital to recognize that widespread use may provide unanticipated difficulties that call for additional research and development.
A Glimpse of Hope
Although it’s yet unknown how to use Windows 11 without having to reboot, testing done so far indicates Microsoft is actively investigating hot patching technologies. Should this invention be successful, it might greatly enhance the way people obtain and receive updates. As usual, it’s critical to keep abreast of Microsoft’s official releases in order to determine the precise implementation date and other pertinent information regarding this exciting development.
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