Microsoft Temporarily Pauses Reboot-Free Hotpatch Updates

Microsoft is temporarily pausing the reboot-free Hotpatch experience for the next two monthly security updates. The September 2026 security release will require Hotpatch-enabled Windows 11 and Windows Server devices to restart, with another reboot expected in October.

Hotpatch updates are a Windows updating technology that allows eligible security fixes to be installed directly into a running operating system without requiring an immediate reboot. Instead of restarting devices every month, organizations receive smaller security updates that take effect immediately and require a restart only during scheduled baseline releases issued periodically throughout the year.

The September 2026 security release contains changes to core Windows components that can’t be applied while the operating system is running, which forces even Hotpatch-enabled devices to restart after installation. This change affects organizations using Windows Autopatch, Windows 11 Hotpatch, and Windows Server Hotpatch.

“The September 2026 Windows security update will be released as a standard update rather than a hotpatch update. Some of the security improvements in this update change components that cannot be updated without a restart. As a result, devices enrolled in hotpatching will need to restart to complete installation,” the company explained on the Microsoft 365 admin center.

Hotpatch reboots expected to resume in November 2026

However, Microsoft emphasized that devices will remain enrolled in the Hotpatch program after the reboot and administrators do not need to reconfigure any settings. This change won’t affect systems that don’t use Hotpatch, as they already require restarts for regular Windows security updates.

According to Microsoft, organizations should also expect another reboot in October 2026, which is already designated as a quarterly baseline update month. Baseline updates traditionally require a restart, which means Hotpatch customers will face reboot requirements in two consecutive months. Microsoft expects the next restart-free Hotpatch update cycle to resume in November 2026.

What do IT administrators need to prepare for?

Microsoft is not requiring any configuration changes for Hotpatch itself, but IT administrators should prepare users for the temporary return of restart-required updates. Administrators should communicate this change in advance so employees are not surprised by restart prompts or planned maintenance activities. Organizations that have become familiar with Hotpatch’s reboot-free experience may need to adjust expectations for the next two update cycles.

Administrators should also review maintenance windows, restart policies, and update deployment schedules to ensure affected devices can install the updates promptly. Microsoft recommends continuing to monitor update rollout and compliance through existing management tools and tracking the official Hotpatch release calendars for Windows 11 and Windows Server.