Windows Autopatch is enabling hotpatch updates by default
From Microsoft 365 Message Center Archive by Merill Fernando · Microsoft may not have sent this notice to your tenant.What the notice says
Microsoft’s text, safely structuredStarting with the May 2026 Windows security update, Windows Autopatch is enabling hotpatch security updates by default because they are the quickest way to get secure. This change in default behavior will impact all eligible Microsoft Intune devices. Additional IT controls are coming in April.
When will this happen
- Devices will start receiving hotpatch updates by default with the May 2026 Windows security update.
- The tenant setting to opt out of hotpatch updates is scheduled to go live on April 1, 2026.
How this will affect your organization
Devices that meet hotpatch prerequisites will get secure faster because full Windows security updates are applied without waiting for a restart. Devices are secured as soon as the update is installed. You don’t need to wait for devices to restart, saving on average three to five days.
Devices will restart during baseline months, which are January, April, July, and October.
What you need to do to prepare
If you already use Windows Autopatch, no action is needed to get hotpatch updates enabled by default. We recommend keeping hotpatch updates enabled for your devices.
To maximize the number of devices receiving hotpatch updates, ensure they meet prerequisites. Most commonly, this means enabling Virtualization-based Security (VBS) for x86 devices.
If you’re not ready for this change, you can opt out groups of devices using Quality Update policies or the whole tenant.
Additional information
Read the announcement in Securing devices faster with hotpatch updates on by default.
Learn more about hotpatch updates with the following resources:
- Hotpatch updates
- Hotpatch for Windows client now available
- Hotpatching now available for 64-bit Arm architecture
- Hotpatch for client: Frequently asked questions
- Transforming security and compliance at Microsoft
- Hotpatch efficiency unlocked: Smaller update size
- Inside hotpatch updates for Windows (YouTube video)
- Hotpatching 101: Enable virtualization-based security (VBS) (YouTube video)
What changed
Between archive captures, newest firstThe archive supplies one version of this notice.
Learn more
Links from the notice and their documentation checks- hotpatch prerequisitesChecked 27 Oct 2026
- baseline monthsChecked 27 Oct 2026
- Quality Update policiesChecked 27 Oct 2026
- Securing devices faster with hotpatch updates on by default
- Hotpatch updatesChecked 27 Oct 2026
- Hotpatch for Windows client now availableNot read yet
- Hotpatching now available for 64-bit Arm architectureNot read yet
- Hotpatch for client: Frequently asked questionsNot read yet
- Transforming security and compliance at Microsoft
- Hotpatch efficiency unlocked: Smaller update sizeNot read yet
- Inside hotpatch updates for Windows
- Hotpatching 101: Enable virtualization-based security (VBS)
Related public evidence
No related evidence found in this installation's recent collection. This does not establish that no announcement exists.
Not confirmed here
What this page cannot tell you- Whether your tenant is affected: this is Microsoft's notice, not a check of your settings.
- 4 linked pages have not been read yet.