Still on Windows 10? 0patch may be your best defense in the 'End of Support era'

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In early 2023, Microsoft announced that it would end all official support for Windows 10 in 2025, giving users just over two years to migrate to Windows 11. As of October 14, 2025, Microsoft officially ceased regular updates and security patches for Windows 10, marking the end of its 10-year run, while leaving millions of users seeking alternatives.

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Some reluctantly upgraded to Windows 11, while others switched to Linux. Many signed up for Microsoft’s Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU), a $ 30-per-year plan that delivers official security fixes for the system. However, the ESU service will stop later this year in October, putting Win 10 users back at square one. 

Fortunately, there is another path — 0patch is a software service designed to keep systems protected for years to come.

What is 0patch?

0patch is a Europe-based third-party security company that specializes in delivering micropatches for Windows 10. As the name suggests, a micropatch is a tiny update that addresses a single, specific vulnerability. That might not sound like much, but these patches are released frequently, forming a powerful safety net.

Here’s how the service works: whenever a new vulnerability is discovered by security researchers or developers, the information is made public. 0patch takes that information to create a targeted micropatch and distribute it to users. The process is more complicated than that, but that’s the gist. The update release schedule depends on how often these vulnerabilities are discovered.

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I spoke with Mitja Kolsek, one of the co-founders of 0patch, who told me that the company has “limited control over the influx of vulnerability information” since it relies on these external discoveries. On average, he said users can expect two to three micropatches per month, though the number may vary. From my experience with 0patch, I received four patches over the course of four months: on October 23, December 26, December 27, and January 13.

0patch doesn’t fix everything. The company releases patches only for vulnerabilities that meet strict criteria, outlined on its support page. In short, a vulnerability is more likely to be patched if:

• The exploit is publicly known and available to attackers.
• It’s already being actively exploited.
• Microsoft does not have an official fix.
• The targeted software or feature is widely used.

There are multiple versions of 0patch. The free tier primarily delivers zero-day patches fixing critical vulnerabilities, while the paid Pro plan adds post-EoS (End of Service) updates on top. Kolsek told me that using just 0patch Free isn’t recommended without also paying for Microsoft’s ESU service, since 0patch Free doesn’t include the “legacy patches” needed to fully protect Windows 10 22H2. Or you can just opt for 0patch Pro, which also has legacy patches.

How does it perform?

For this review, I installed the free version of 0patch on a Windows 10 laptop to see how it behaves in real-world use. The app is extremely easy to install and use. It’s just like any other app: you download it from the website and run the installer, and it operates quietly in the background, requiring no extra work or tweaking.

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I also appreciate the app’s easy-to-read layout. The dashboard displays statistics at a glance revealing how many patches are active, how many apps are currently being protected, how many apps are patchable, and what is available in the paid plan. It even tells you which patches are included, so you can double-check them on the developer’s blog.

Patches are automatically handled by the built-in 0patch Agent, which detects and installs micropatches as soon as they become available. You can disable both the Agent and individual patches at any time.

It’s worth noting that 0patch updates are known to cause performance issues. These problems take many forms, as outlined on 0patch’s Troubleshooting page, including compatibility issues with the Avast antivirus program and random crashes. If you suspect the most recent patch is causing problems, you can disable it at any time from the app’s dashboard, allowing you to either apply a solution.

One of my favorite aspects of the service’s patches is how lightweight they are; they don’t impact your computer’s performance in any meaningful way. I discovered this when I ran multiple Geekbench 6 tests on my Windows 10 laptop to determine if 0patch had any significant impact. From what I saw, not really. 

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Also, uninstalling the service removes all patches. Nothing is left behind, so if you don’t think 0patch is right for you, you can uninstall at any time.

Lastly, it’s important to note that 0patch plans to end its own Windows 10 support in October 2030, but it may continue for much longer. Kolsek told me that “if there is sufficient demand, we will extend our support of Windows 10 22H2 [past] October 2030,” potentially out to 2035 or beyond.   

ZDNET’s buying advice

0patch Pro costs €25 per year (approximately $30) and includes a complimentary 30-day trial. There’s also an Enterprise plan for €35 (around $40) for the whole year, which includes tools for managing multiple users, roles, and devices. If you’re just protecting a single PC, Pro is the better choice. The Free tier is fine as long as you’re paying for Microsoft’s ESU service. But remember: ESU patches will only be available until October 2026.

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I should be clear: While I tested the software, I don’t personally use 0patch. I may have my gripes with Windows 11, but I did upgrade, and I still prefer to rely on Microsoft’s first-party updates. 

That said, if you really don’t want to move to Windows 11, switching to Linux is your best long-term option. ZDNET’s Jack Wallen has even outlined the Linux distributions he thinks will dominate 2026.