Microsoft will require paid subscriptions for hotpatching in Windows Server 2025 starting July 1, 2025, allowing admins to install updates without restarting. Currently, hotpatching is available for free in preview, but those testing it must disenroll by June 30 to avoid automatic subscription. The service will cost $1.50 per CPU core per month and is designed for both multi-cloud environments and on-premises servers via Azure Arc connectivity.