Do you hate being forced to reboot your PC every time a new Windows update drops? If so, there's a welcome change in the works.

SoftwareOperating SystemsWindowsWindows 11Do you hate being forced to reboot your PC every time a new Windows update drops? If so, there’s a welcome change in the works.When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft Windows 11

For the most part, I think Windows works quite well. My daily PC has been running with the same installation for about 18 months. I don’t think I’ve ever had a system hang or a forced reboot. Unless we’re talking about a forced reboot so Windows can update itself. Ihatethat.

There’s a little bit of good news on that front, asWindows Centralreports that Microsoft is testing a new Windows Update hot patching method that doesn’t require a reboot. Oh, hell yes! I love it already.

There is a catch. According to thelatest documentationfor Windows Insider builds, users have to have Virtualization Based Security (VBS) enabled in order to avoid a restart. This setting has been known tonegatively impact gaming performance. So, that might be enough to end the hope of reboot-less Windows updates for gamers right there.

Thinking of upgrading?(Image credit: Microsoft)Windows 11 review: What we think of the latest OS.How to install Windows 11: Our guide to a secure install.Windows 11 TPM requirement: Strict OS security.

Thinking of upgrading?

(Image credit: Microsoft)Windows 11 review: What we think of the latest OS.How to install Windows 11: Our guide to a secure install.Windows 11 TPM requirement: Strict OS security.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Windows 11 Square logo

Windows 11 review: What we think of the latest OS.How to install Windows 11: Our guide to a secure install.Windows 11 TPM requirement: Strict OS security.

I guess a reboot once a month is not exactly ahugedeal is it? I’d rather maintain my gaming performance than get the bonus of not having to reboot occasionally.

We’ll have to wait and see just what form the final feature will take. I think I’d turn on VBS on in my daily PC, but leave it off on my gaming rig. That’s powered down most of the time anyway. One does have to work and eat and sleep occasionally.

Still, I really don’t like seeing that little icon in the taskbar with the orange or red dot on it. Even if I hide it, I know it’s there, like a splinter in my mind saying: ‘Do it!’

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Microsoft is reportedly aiming to include the feature with the release of the Windows 24H2 update later this year. That particular update is sure to require a reboot or two.

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A debloating wizard has managed to get Windows 11 running on just 184 MB of RAM, and it looks like it can actually run appsWindows 11 24H2 is the unwanted holiday gift that keeps on giving thanks to Auto HDR game crashes, audio device woes, odd bouts of stuttering and more

Windows 11 Task Manager showing 11 GB RAM use with a sad face drawn on top

A debloating wizard has managed to get Windows 11 running on just 184 MB of RAM, and it looks like it can actually run apps

A photo of the Windows update menu, showing that I’m all up to date

Windows 11 24H2 is the unwanted holiday gift that keeps on giving thanks to Auto HDR game crashes, audio device woes, odd bouts of stuttering and more

LatestCruel is a frantic run-and-gun shooter where you boot cultists out of windows in a cursed apartment block that wants you deadSee more latest►

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Cruel is a frantic run-and-gun shooter where you boot cultists out of windows in a cursed apartment block that wants you dead

Cruel

Cruel is a frantic run-and-gun shooter where you boot cultists out of windows in a cursed apartment block that wants you dead

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