Short answer: Windows 11 hotpatch installs monthly security updates and applies them without a restart. According to Microsoft's Windows 11 release information page (updated October 13, 2026), November and December 2026 are listed as hotpatch months. But Microsoft's hotpatch documentation says it requires specific business licenses, Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, and management through Windows Autopatch and Intune, so a typical home PC will still get a normal update that needs a restart.
Last reviewed: October 25, 2026.
Key takeaways
- Microsoft lists November 2026 and December 2026 as hotpatch months for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 26H2 (version 24H2 is listed the same way), after the October 13 baseline update that required a restart.
- Hotpatch is not a consumer feature as documented: Microsoft lists Enterprise E3/E5, Microsoft 365 F3, Education A3/A5, Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Windows 365 Enterprise as eligible licenses.
- Devices also need virtualization-based security (VBS) running, must be on the latest baseline, and must be enrolled through a hotpatch policy in Intune with Windows Autopatch.
- Hotpatch covers security updates only. Non-security updates, .NET and driver updates may still need a restart.
- Microsoft says unplanned baseline months can occur, and 2026 already had some, so plan for occasional restarts.
What hotpatch is in plain English
Normally, a Windows security update replaces files that are in use. Windows has to restart to swap them. Hotpatching works differently. According to Microsoft Learn, hotpatch updates are monthly security updates that "install and take effect without requiring you to restart the device." Microsoft's Windows Server documentation explains the technique as patching the in-memory code of running processes, so the process does not have to be restarted.
Microsoft also says hotpatch packages are significantly smaller than standard cumulative updates, so they install faster and use less bandwidth. The goal is simple: get security fixes onto machines sooner, with less disruption to people who are working.
The 2026 calendar: baseline months and hotpatch months
Hotpatch does not replace the normal update cycle. It sits on top of a quarterly rhythm. A baseline update is a standard cumulative update that includes the latest security fixes plus cumulative features and enhancements, and it requires a restart. The next two months are hotpatch months. Microsoft's table (page updated 2026-05-28) is:
| Quarter | Baseline (restart required) | Hotpatch (no restart) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January | February and March |
| 2 | April | May and June |
| 3 | July | August and September |
| 4 | October | November and December |
The Windows 11 release information page (updated 2026-10-13) shows October 2026 as "Baseline (Restart)" for versions 25H2 and 26H2, released on 2026-10-13. November (2026.11 B) and December (2026.12 B) are listed as "Hotpatch" with no release dates or KB articles yet. Both rows were empty when we checked on October 25, 2026.
If you want the broader context for this month's updates, see our guide to October 2026 Patch Tuesday known issues and fixes.
Who is eligible, and are home PCs included?
This is where most headlines overpromise. Based on Microsoft's hotpatch documentation for Windows 11 (updated 2026-05-28), a device must meet all of these prerequisites:
- An eligible license: Windows 11 Enterprise E3 or E5, Microsoft 365 F3, Windows 11 Education A3 or A5, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, or Windows 365 Enterprise.
- Windows 11 version 24H2 or later.
- The latest baseline release installed. A device that missed the October baseline will not be on the hotpatch track.
- Microsoft Intune managing the deployment through a Windows quality update policy with hotpatch turned on. Microsoft states that hotpatch "requires Windows Autopatch to create and deploy hotpatch updates."
- Virtualization-based security (VBS) turned on and running.
- Arm64 devices only: compiled hybrid PE (CHPE) usage must be disabled. This does not apply to normal x64 PCs.
Do home users get it? Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro on their own are not in Microsoft's eligible license list, and the feature depends on Intune and Autopatch management. So, per Microsoft's documentation as of October 25, 2026, a standard consumer PC should expect the normal monthly update with a restart. We found no Microsoft statement offering hotpatch to unmanaged home PCs. Microsoft Learn also says hotpatching is not available on Windows 11 version 26H1.
Small businesses are the interesting group. Microsoft 365 Business Premium is on the list. If your company already pays for it and uses Intune, you may be able to enable hotpatch. Check your actual licenses in the Microsoft 365 admin center rather than assuming.
What happens to devices that do not qualify
Microsoft says ineligible devices automatically receive the standard latest cumulative update (LCU), which requires a restart. They keep their configured update ring settings. Nothing breaks. The device simply does not skip the restart.
What still needs a restart
Even on an eligible device, "no restart" has limits:
- Baseline months. January, April, July and October are planned restart months.
- Unplanned baselines. Microsoft says that occasionally, for security reasons, a baseline outside the schedule can be required. The planned cadence does not change afterwards. For example, if June becomes a baseline, July is still a baseline too. The 25H2 table shows this happened in 2026: June and September are listed as "Baseline (Restart)" even though the standard pattern has them as hotpatch months.
- Behind on baselines. If a hotpatch-enabled device is not on the latest baseline during a hotpatch month, Microsoft says it receives both the latest baseline (restart required) and the latest hotpatch.
- Feature upgrades in a hotpatch month. Microsoft says upgrading to a new Windows version during a hotpatch month switches the device to standard updates, with a restart, until the next baseline. Upgrading in a baseline month keeps the device on the hotpatch cycle.
- Content that is not hotpatched. Microsoft's Windows Server hotpatch documentation lists non-security Windows updates, .NET updates and non-Windows updates such as drivers and firmware as outside the hotpatch program. That page covers Windows Server, so we do not claim the client list is identical. Check the Windows 11 hotpatch release notes for the exact month.
Also remember that Windows may still ask for a restart for other reasons, such as installing an app or a driver. If a device is stuck in a loop, our guide on fixing Windows Update when it is stuck or failing walks through safe steps.
Not sure what is wrong? Get a diagnosis first.
Our certified tech can connect remotely, check your software, drivers and backups, and tell you honestly whether the problem needs a hands-on repair.
How to tell if your PC is on hotpatch
Microsoft documents several checks. They are mostly for managed devices, and the exact menu wording may change between builds.
- Check VBS. Select Start, type System Information, open it and find "Virtualization-based security" under System summary. The value should read "Running."
- Check the policy on the device. Go to Start, Settings, Windows Update, Advanced options, Configured update policies, and look for "Enable hotpatching when available." Microsoft says this indicates enrollment through Windows Autopatch.
- Check Event Viewer. Open Event Viewer and search for
AllowRebootlessUpdates. Microsoft says that if it is set to 1 (true), the device is enrolled and has hotpatch turned on. - Look for hotpatch errors. In Event Viewer, search for "hotpatch." Microsoft says an inbox monitor service logs errors, and for a critical error the device installs the standard update to stay secure.
- Admins: in Intune, the quality update policy setting is "When available, apply without restarting the device (Hotpatch)," set to Allow. Microsoft also offers a Hotpatch quality update report in Windows Autopatch.
We found no Microsoft-documented single-click check for a home PC, because home PCs are not the target.
Risks and how to prepare
Hotpatch is a convenience, not a guarantee, so prepare like you would for any update.
- Confirm eligibility first. List devices, Windows versions (24H2 or later) and licenses. Remove surprises before the November Patch Tuesday (the second Tuesday of the month, which falls on November 10, 2026).
- Verify the October baseline landed. Devices that skipped the October 13 restart will not benefit in November. Look at the build number against Microsoft's table.
- Turn on VBS where hardware allows it. Microsoft says VBS is required for the hotpatch installer. Test on a pilot group first, because VBS can affect some older drivers and software.
- Arm64 owners: disabling CHPE can break 32-bit x86 apps such as old Office add-ins. Microsoft suggests updating them to 64-bit or excluding those devices. Setting
HotPatchRestrictionsin the registry is a system change, so back up first and use the Intune policy where possible. - Know the rollback path. Microsoft says automatic rollback is not supported. You can uninstall a hotpatch update and install the standard update, and that uninstall does require a restart.
- Do not stop restarting entirely. A restart-free update does not remove the need to restart after baselines, drivers or other updates. Keep a pilot ring, back up before baseline months and watch the release notes. See also Windows 11 error 0x80073712 if an update fails on component corruption.
If you want help checking licenses, VBS status or policies, our Windows support and remote repair services can walk through it with you remotely.
What we could not confirm
As of October 25, 2026, the November and December rows have no build numbers, KB articles or dates. We do not know the exact contents of those updates, whether either month will become an unplanned baseline, or whether Microsoft will widen eligibility to other editions. Treat anything beyond Microsoft's pages as unconfirmed, and re-check the sources linked in the release notes after each Patch Tuesday.
Frequently asked questions
What is Windows 11 hotpatch?
It is a way to install monthly security updates without restarting the device. Microsoft describes hotpatch updates as security updates that take effect without a restart.
Are November and December 2026 hotpatch months?
Yes, per Microsoft's Windows 11 release information page (updated October 13, 2026), both are listed as hotpatch after the October baseline. Release details were not yet published on October 25, 2026.
Does Windows 11 Home get hotpatch?
Microsoft's documentation does not list Windows 11 Home among eligible licenses and requires Intune and Windows Autopatch management. A home PC should expect a normal update that needs a restart.
Does Windows 11 Pro get hotpatch?
Not on its own, according to the eligible license list. Microsoft 365 Business Premium is listed, so check your actual subscription.
Which months require a restart?
Planned baseline months are January, April, July and October. Unplanned baselines can add restarts, and 2026 already included some.
Do I need VBS turned on?
Yes. Microsoft says virtualization-based security must be running for a device to be offered hotpatch updates.
Can I undo a hotpatch update?
You can uninstall it and install the standard cumulative update, but Microsoft says this requires a restart and automatic rollback is not supported.
Will hotpatch stop all restarts?
No. Baseline months, unplanned baselines, non-security updates and other installs can still require restarts.