Microsoft pitches pay-to-patch reboot reduction subscription for Windows Server 2025

Microsoft will end the preview of on-prem Windows Server 2025 hotpatching on June 30 and replace it with a $1.50 per core per month subscription that delivers up to eight hotpatches annually on a quarterly cycle, with reboots still required during baseline months (January, April, July, October). Adoption is optional, Azure Arc management is required but free, preview participants will be auto-enrolled on July 1 unless they disenroll by June 30, and Azure Editions of Windows Server continue to receive hotpatching at no cost.