How to do Server 2025 Live Patching [Step-by-Step Guide]

What Is Live Patching

Live patching enables software updates without the need for a system reboot, allowing updates such as security patches or vulnerability fixes to be made to the operating system kernel or critical software. The Windows Server hotpatch ensures server security while minimizing downtime and disruption to running services or applications.

How to Perform Live Patching in Server 2025

The Microsoft Server 2025 Live migration process is designed to minimize downtime while ensuring system security. Here are the steps to perform live patching in Server 2025.

Step 1. Enable Live Patching Feature

Live patching is typically enabled by default, but you may need to confirm its activation.

✦Through Windows Admin Center:

Log in to the Windows Admin Center, navigate to the server you want to patch, then go to Updates > Settings and confirm that live patching is enabled.

✦Via PowerShell:

Run the following command to check if live patching is enabled:

To enable it, run:

Step 2. Identify Available Updates

Not all updates support live patching, so you need to know which patches are compatible with live patching.

◆Using Windows Updates:

Open Settings > Update & Security and click Check for Updates. Look for updates labeled Compatible with live patches.

◆Using PowerShell:

Run the following command to check for updates:

Step 3. Apply Updates

Once updates are identified, proceed to apply them:

★Using Windows Admin Center:

Go to Updates and select patches tagged as live-patchable, then click Install Updates to begin the live patching process.

★Using PowerShell:

Run the following command to apply the updates, this ensures only live-patch-compatible are applied without a reboot:

Step 4. Monitor Patch Application

After applying the update, monitor the Server to ensure that the patch is completed successfully:

✧Event Viewer: Check the logs under System > Windows Update for patch installation results.

✧Windows Management Center: Verify the status of updates in the Updates section.

✧PowerShell: Run the following command to confirm the status.

Configure Security Backup Before Update to Windows Server 2025

Before installing an operating system security update on Windows Server, you can use AOMEI Cyber Backup to back up your SQL Database and keep your data safe during the update. It is a reliable, centrally managed solution for backing up and restoring SQL databases on all desktops, laptops, and servers on your LAN.

Auto and Schedules Backup: You can set up a schedule to automatically run the backup task daily, weekly, and monthly.
Incremental and Differential Backup: You can create incremental and differential SQL backups to only backup newly added data or changed data to save time and space.
Centralized Backup: It can schedule backups of SQL Server database and run it automatically from a single interface.
Easy to use: It offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface to simplify the backup process.

Simple Steps to Automate backup Windows Server

Step 1. Sign in AOMEI Cyber Backup, then access to Source Device > Agents > + Add Agent. Download and install AOMEI Cyber Backup agent.

Step 2. Add your Windows device in the AOMEI Cyber Backup web console under the Source Device section.

Step 3. Navigate to the Backup Task area, create a new task, and choose your preferred Backup Type – System Backup.

Step 4. Configure the Task Name, Device, Target, and Schedule according to your preferences.

Step 5. Click Start Backup and select Add the schedule and start backup now, or Add the schedule only.

Step 6. In the event of data loss, initiate the recovery process by clicking on Backup Task, locating the task to restore, and selecting the appropriate restore option.

Conclusion

The Server 2025 real-time patch update is a significant step forward in the growing need to reduce downtime. A robust server environment can be maintained through increased uptime, enhanced security, and simplified patch management.