Hot-patch for server 2025

Question

For On-Premises Machines:

1. Licensing & Entitlement

o Is there any specific entitlement or license we need to procure to enable Hotpatching on on-premises machines?

o Are there any specific agreements or subscriptions (e.g., Software Assurance, ESU, or other) required?

2. Enablement Process

o What are the steps to enable Hotpatch on on-premises Windows Server machines?

o Are there any supported versions or servicing channels required (e.g., Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition)?

o Does on-prem Hotpatch support work only for Azure Arc-enabled servers or also for standalone environments?

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For Azure Datacenter VMs:

3. Image and Configuration

o Do out-of-the-box Marketplace images in Azure Datacenter support Hotpatch by default?

o Are there any post-deployment steps required to enable or configure Hotpatch?

o If we are using a custom or hardened image, are there specific prerequisites or settings that must be in place for Hotpatch to work?

4. Networking Considerations

o Are there any endpoints or ports that must be accessible (e.g., Windows Update, Hotpatch service) for Hotpatch to function correctly in Azure?

o Does Hotpatch require integration with Update Manager or any Azure-specific service to function?