What and why
The September 2026 Windows security update will be released as a standard update rather than a hotpatch update. Some of the security improvements in this update change components that cannot be updated without a restart. As a result, devices enrolled in hotpatching will need to restart to complete installation.
Rollout schedule
- September 2026: Standard update with restart required for all devices including those that are hotpatch-enabled.
- October 2026: Planned baseline update month with restart required.
- November 2026: Next hotpatch update expected.
Impact on your organization
Who is affected
- Organizations using Windows Autopatch with hotpatch-enabled devices
- Users of devices currently enrolled in hotpatch updates
Platforms and services
- Windows Autopatch
- Windows 11 hotpatch
- Windows Server hotpatch
What will happen
- Hotpatch-enabled devices will require a restart to complete installation of the September 2026 security update.
- Hotpatch-enabled devices will remain enrolled in hotpatch updates.
- Devices not using hotpatch updates are unaffected because standard Windows security updates already require a restart.
- No changes are being made to hotpatch enrollment or configuration requirements.
Action required / recommendations
No action is required.
We recommend that administrators:
- Inform affected users that a restart will be required following installation of the September 2026 security update.
- Review maintenance windows and device restart policies to help ensure timely installation.
- Continue monitoring update deployment and compliance through existing management tools.
- Track the hotpatch update calendars on the Windows release health site for both Windows 11 and Windows Server.
Learn more
Compliance considerations
No compliance action is required. Update installation and restart behavior will be reflected in update history and compliance reports as usual.