Microsoft Offers Pay-Per-Patch Subscription to Extend Windows Server 2025 Support

Redmond believes that a $1.50/core/month hotpatch service is worthwhile to bypass the eight annualPatch Tuesday frenzies.

Microsoft has revealed that starting from July, the preview of hotpatching for on-premise Windows Server 2025 will transition into a paid subscription service.

Hotpatching enables the application of software updates without necessitating a system restart. This method is frequently utilized in various systems such as the Linux kernel, VMware offerings, and the Xen hypervisor. Administrators appreciate this feature since it permits the implementation of security patches without needing downtime for restarting—thus eliminating the requirement to schedule maintenance windows or optimal times for interruptions.

Microsoft already provides hotpatching for Windows Server: Azure Edition and version 2022 when used within its Azure cloud. According to the company, their Xbox division heavily utilizes this feature.

In August 2024, the Windows giant unveiled a preview of this feature for Windows Server 2025 when operating within Azure.

A month later, the software behemoth hinted at a sneak peek of hotpatching capabilities for Windows Server 2025 deployments managed through their Arc hybrid-and-multicloud governance tool.

The preview indicated that hotpatching would be available for Windows Server 2025 Standard and Datacenter editions, enabling its usage on-premises.

This capability will revolutionize the process; streamlined change management, reduced patch intervals, and improved coordination," said Microsoft’s general manager of Windows Server, Hari Pulapaka, at the time, also mentioning, "and you might finally have some free time to spend with your family on Saturdays.

On last Thursday, Microsoft declared that the preview phase will conclude on June 30th, to be supplanted by a subscription service priced at $1.50 per core monthly.

A blog post authored by Windows Server Product Marketing Manager Janine Patrick and Senior Program Manager Artem Pronichkin clarified that the service intends to provide eight hotfixes annually.

"As part of a three-month cycle, the initial month serves as a baseline month (monthly cumulative update), succeeded by two months featuring hotpatches," they explained. The authors noted that these baseline periods occur in January, April, July, and October, requiring machines to restart during these times. Additionally, "Occasionally, due to security concerns, we might release an unexpected non-hotpatch update during what would typically be considered a hotpatch month; such updates too require a system reboot." However, their aim remains consistent: delivering approximately eight hotpatches annually.

They contend that hotpatching reduces the "time frame vulnerable to attacks" since administrators may postpone updates following a Windows security release. Additionally, they suggest that hotpatching saves considerable time and minimizes the hassle associated with the usual 'patch Tuesday.'

Customers won’t have to embrace hotpatching; Microsoft plans to keep its present timetable for releasing software updates.

Redmond evidently believes that certain Windows Server 2025 users might be willing to pay more to minimize potential disruptions.

Although Windows Server 2025 systems require management through Arc to utilize hotpatching, employing Arc for this service will not result in additional charges.

Individuals participating in the hotpatching preview will automatically get enrolled intosubscriptions starting July 1st. If you wish to opt-out of this, make sure to unsubscribe byJune 30th.

The Azure editions of Windows Server will keep receiving hotpatching without any charge.

It's over to you, valued reader: Would you be willing to pay extra for the assurance of non-disruptive updates? Feel free to share your thoughts below. ®