check before: 2025-08-20
Product:
Intune, Microsoft 365 admin center, Windows, Windows Autopatch
Platform:
Online, Windows Desktop, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
Admin impact
Links:
Details:
Prepare for hotpatch in your environment by meeting a key requirement to enable virtualization-based security (VBS) on Windows client. With the hotpatching feature of Windows Autopatch, you can apply security updates to Windows without requiring a restart. VBS protects against kernel-level exploits and other advanced threats to help ensure your endpoints are secure and ready for patching. It's straightforward to enable VBS, and here we'll show you how-whether deploying at scale with Microsoft Intune or on a single device using PowerShell or Windows Command Prompt.
Change Category:
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Scope:
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Release Phase:
Created:
2025-08-21
updated:
2025-08-21
Task Type
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Docu to Check
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS How does it affect me
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS Preperations
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS Urgency
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
MS workload name
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
summary for non-techies**
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Direct effects for Operations**
Increased Downtime Risk
If VBS is not enabled properly before implementing hotpatch, there may be unexpected downtime during the patching process, leading to user disruption.
- roles: IT Administrator, End User
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/deployment/windows-autopatch/manage/windows-autopatch-hotpatch-updates" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/deployment/windows-autopatch/manage/windows-autopatch-hotpatch-updates, https://aka.ms/EnableVBSatScale
Security Vulnerabilities
Failure to enable VBS may leave systems exposed to kernel-level exploits, increasing the risk of security breaches during the hotpatch process.
- roles: Security Officer, IT Administrator
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/deployment/windows-autopatch/overview/windows-autopatch-faq#hotpatch-updates, https://support.microsoft.com/topic/release-notes-for-hotpatch-on-windows-11-version-24h2-enterprise-clients-c0906ee6-5e62-498f-bd5a-8f4966349f3c
User Experience Degradation
Without proper preparation, users may experience performance issues or application incompatibilities post-hotpatch, leading to frustration and decreased productivity.
- roles: End User, Help Desk Support
- references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/hotpatch-for-client-frequently-asked-questions/4413582, https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/deployment/windows-autopatch/manage/windows-autopatch-hotpatch-updates" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/deployment/windows-autopatch/manage/windows-autopatch-hotpatch-updates
Configutation Options**
XXXXXXX ... paid membership only
Opportunities**
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only
Potentional Risks**
XXXXXXX ... paid membership only
IT Security**
XXXXXXX ... paid membership only
explanation for non-techies**
Imagine you have a car that needs regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly. Typically, you would have to take it to the shop, which means you can't use it for a while. Now, picture a scenario where your car can be serviced while you're driving, without any downtime. This is similar to what the hotpatch feature in Windows Autopatch does for your computer systems. It allows security updates to be applied without needing to restart the system, minimizing downtime and keeping everything running smoothly.
To make this possible, there's a requirement to enable something called virtualization-based security (VBS) on Windows clients. Think of VBS as a security guard for your computer's operating system, protecting it from potential threats and ensuring that it's safe to apply updates without interruptions.
Enabling VBS is like installing a security system in your office building. It protects against advanced threats, ensuring that your endpoints are secure and ready for updates. There are different ways to enable VBS, depending on whether you're doing it for many devices at once or just a single one. For a large-scale deployment, you can use Microsoft Intune, which is like having a centralized control panel to manage all your security systems at once. For individual devices, you can use PowerShell or Windows Command Prompt, similar to setting up a security system manually in a single office.
Once VBS is enabled, it's important to validate and monitor it, ensuring that everything is working as expected. This is akin to regularly checking your security system to make sure it's functioning properly and providing the protection you need.
For more detailed instructions on enabling VBS and using hotpatch, there are resources available online that provide step-by-step guidance. These resources can help you dive deeper into the technical aspects and ensure that your systems are ready for hotpatch updates.
** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
a free basic plan is required to see more details. Sign up here
A cloudsocut.one plan is required to see all the changed details. If you are already a customer, choose login.
If you are new to cloudscout.one please choose a plan.
Last updated 3 weeks ago
