Arc-enabled Windows Server 2025 hotpatching is available at no extra cost

Azure Arc-enabled hotpatch updates for Windows Server 2025 can apply most security updates without a restart and are now available without an additional hotpatch charge.

What changed

Eligible Arc-enabled Server 2025 systems can use Azure Update Manager for reboot-light monthly security maintenance while periodic baseline updates still require restarts.

Technical details

Most monthly security updates without reboot
Azure Arc and Azure Update Manager integration
No additional hotpatch charge for the announced capability

Why it matters

Hotpatching can reduce maintenance downtime, but only when Arc onboarding, update orchestration, eligibility and baseline-reboot planning are all correct.

Known limitations

Not every update is hotpatchable
Periodic baseline updates still require a restart
Eligibility and Azure service costs must be checked separately

Now check

Confirm Server 2025 edition and Arc eligibility
Pilot Azure Update Manager maintenance settings
Document baseline months, restart windows and rollback