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**Microsoft Confirms $1.50 Windows Security Update Hotpatch Fee Starts July 1**
Microsoft has confirmed the long-rumored hotpatch fee for its Windows Server 2025 operating system, which will become a subscription-only service starting July 1st. According to the company, users of Windows Server 2025 Standard or Datacenter will need to connect their servers to Azure Arc and subscribe to the Hotpatch service in order to access the no-reboot security updates.
The fee for this optional hotpatch technology is a staggering $1.50 per CPU core per month, making it a costly endeavor for many users. This means that those who want to take advantage of the benefits offered by hotpatching will need to pay Microsoft for the privilege.
But what about legacy Windows operating system platforms? Unfortunately, these users are not off the hook yet. While there is no support or security updates available for these older platforms, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of 0patch, a micro-patching service that provides hot patches without requiring a system restart.
In fact, 0patch has announced that it will continue to extend the availability of its hot patches for users of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 until at least January 2027. This is a crucial lifeline for those who still rely on these outdated platforms, as they would otherwise be left vulnerable to attacks.
In contrast, Microsoft’s decision to charge for this service highlights the company’s willingness to capitalize on its users’ vulnerability concerns. It’s unclear why the need for hotpatching requires a subscription fee, especially considering that 0patch offers a similar service without the hefty cost.
The introduction of this fee has sparked controversy among Windows Server 2025 users, many of whom are left questioning the necessity and affordability of this option.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2025/04/30/microsoft-confirms-150-windows-security-update-fee-starts-july-1/
