Microsoft patents way to fix computer firmware without rebooting
Microsoft has filed a patent for a method to update firmware while a computer is running, a process known as hotpatching. The system stores a new piece of code in a temporary memory area and inserts a command into the existing firmware that jumps to this new code instead of the old version.
In the filing’s own words
Methods, apparatuses, and products for runtime firmware updates using hotpatching, including: storing, in a runtime buffer, a firmware update patch comprising an updated code segment for a firmware module loaded into system memory for execution; adding, to the firmware module and at a location corresponding to a code segment updated by the updated code segment, a redirect command directed to the updated code segment; and wherein the redirect command, when executed, causes the updated code segment to be executed instead of the code segment.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method of runtime firmware updates using hotpatching, comprising: storing, in a runtime buffer, a firmware update patch comprising an updated code segment for a firmware module loaded into system memory for execution; adding, to the firmware module and at a location corresponding to a code segment updated by the updated code segment, a redirect command directed to the updated code segment; and wherein the redirect command, when executed, causes the updated code segment to be executed instead of the code segment.
Facts
- Company
- Microsoft (Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC)
- Official title
- RUNTIME FIRMWARE UPDATES USING HOTPATCHING
- Publication number
- US20260329575A1
- Application number
- 19185735
- Filed
- Apr 22, 2025
- Published
- Oct 22, 2026
- Inventors
- 5
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G06F 8/656 Physics & computingG06F 9/4812 Physics & computingMore from Microsoft in AI & software
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.