Microsoft has extended Windows Server 2022 hotpatching into 2027, beyond the end of mainstream support for the operating system, as confirmed on its Windows Release Health dashboard. 

Mainstream support for Windows Server 2022 ends on October 13, 2026, with extended support running to October 14, 2031.

Hotpatching generally ends with mainstream support, but Microsoft will keep updates flowing into next year for Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition - likely mindful of users who depend on the technology.

Hotpatching is a boon for Windows Server administrators, allowing security updates to be applied without scheduled server downtime. There's still a cumulative update once a quarter that requires a reboot, but otherwise the relentless monthly reboots required by Microsoft's updates are avoided.

According to Microsoft, the technology works by patching the in-memory code of a running process. This means no restart is needed. Linux administrators might point to tools like Ksplice, which can apply patches to a running kernel without requiring a reboot, but anything that reduces the time between the discovery of a vulnerability and patching is a good idea.

Microsoft would prefer administrators move to Windows Server 2025, the latest Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release, but the extension gives Azure Edition users a reprieve from monthly reboots until 2027.

The hotpatching extension only applies to Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition. On-premises Windows Server 2022 users remain out of luck, though Microsoft has never been shy about nudging users toward Azure.

Hotpatch updates were also introduced for Windows 11 24H2 Enterprise clients in public preview in 2024 and are now the default for Windows Autopatch.®