KB5058497 is now available as part of Patch Tuesday for Windows 11 24H2, marking the introduction of the first ‘hotpatch’ update, which is notable because it doesn’t require a reboot to complete installation. However, this feature is currently limited to Windows 11 24H2 Enterprise users. There is no information yet on when it might be available for Pro and Home users.
Hotpatching isn’t a brand new concept—it’s been utilized in Windows Server for some time. It offers a significant advantage as it shortens the installation time for updates because it allows the update to be applied without needing to restart the system. For conventional updates, including security updates for Windows 11 24H2 or earlier versions, a reboot is mandatory, with exceptions primarily for Windows Defender updates.
How Hotpatching Works
The hotpatching process operates behind the scenes as follows:
- Critical system components are stored in memory.
- The hotpatch package consists of small code changes alongside a map detailing where those pieces fit into the system.
- During normal operation, Windows can copy these updates into spare memory slots while redirecting active programs to the new slots.
- The modifications are written to disk, ensuring that the changes persist after a reboot.
As a result, since core components remain loaded in memory, a reboot is not necessary to apply updates. However, not every update is eligible for hotpatching. Full cumulative updates, known as baseline updates, which occur quarterly, will still require a restart.
Reboot Requirements for Different Updates
Here’s a summary of when reboots are needed for Windows 11 24H2 Enterprise systems:
| Quarter | Type of Update | Reboot Required? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baseline update | Yes |
| 1 | Hotpatch updates | No |
| 2 | Baseline update | Yes |
| 2 | Hotpatch updates | No |
| 3 | Baseline update | Yes |
| 3 | Hotpatch updates | No |
| 4 | Baseline update | Yes |
| 4 | Hotpatch updates | No |
The hotpatch KB5058497 was released on May 13, falling within the "no restart" timeframe for the May and June 2025 period.
It’s important to note that the hotpatching feature is exclusive to Windows 11 24H2 Enterprise and Server editions at this time. Users of Windows 11 Pro and Home will receive updates such as KB5058411, which, while containing similar fixes, will still necessitate a reboot.
For further reading, you can check the details about the KB5058411 update here.