Hot Fix

What Does Hot Fix Mean?

A hot fix refers to the repair or upgrade of a working computer or system component, such as a running program or code. Hot fixes address critical and non-critical issues but must be applied as soon as they are released to prevent machine performance denigration due to unaddressed bugs or holes. A regular hot fix update schedule shields against OS bugs, attacks and hackers.

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Techopedia Explains Hot Fix

Microsoft releases hot fixes with regular Windows XP updates or to address specific and unexpected OS bugs. Windows’ hot fixes are available for download from Microsoft’s website or via the built-in Windows Update utility, which automatically downloads and installs hot fixes.

Users should back up data to safeguard against potential machine inoperability prior to installing hot fixes or updates.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…