0patch Offers Additional Windows 10 Security Updates, Extending Usage Until 2030

[AleksandarK]

0patch plans to combat Microsoft's ending Windows 10 support by offering unofficial security updates for the 2015 operating system. Microsoft is ending Windows 10 security updates on October 14, 2025, after which the OS will stop receiving patches for vulnerabilities. The Redmond giant will provide you with an option to update your Windows 10 build, however, with a hefty fee slapped. Extended Security Updates (ESU) pricing structure follows a tiered model that doubles each year. From October 2025 to October 2026, the cost is $61 per device. The following year, from October 2026 to October 2027, the price increases to $122 per device. In the final year, spanning October 2027 to October 2028, the cost rises to $244 per device. For users planning to maintain Windows 10 until October 2028, the total expense over the three-year period would amount to $427 per device.

However, 0patch, a company focused on providing unofficial security updates for Windows OSes, will provide Windows 10 users with free and paid security updates post-end of service. Their system focuses on delivering targeted "micropatches" for critical vulnerabilities that emerge after Microsoft's official support ends. These micropatches are designed to be extremely precise and minimal, often consisting of just a few CPU instructions. A key feature of 0patch's approach is its non-invasive nature. The patches are applied directly to running processes in the computer's memory, leaving the original Microsoft files untouched. This method allows for rapid deployment of security fixes without requiring system reboots or interrupting user activities. The patching process is designed to be seamless and virtually unnoticeable to users. For instance, a user working on a document wouldn't experience any disruption while a micropatch is being applied. This approach is particularly beneficial for servers, where continuous uptime is crucial, as patches can be implemented without any downtime.




The free 0patch variant allows for fixes of zero-day vulnerabilities, while the company offers paid "Pro" and "Enterprise" versions for 24.95 EUR and 34.95 EUR, respectively. The pro version includes more patches besides zero-day vulnerabilities, while the enterprise version covers features like silent run, central management, group management, multiuser support, and user roles for managing many systems. The company plans to support the Windows 10 for five more years, until 2030, with a possible window for extension if there is demand.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[Vayra86]

Stealth updates on a running system. Mkay. Sounds great. Where can I sign up. And also, this is never going to fail is it?

 

[Yraggul666]

YESSSS! I'm in. I'd rather pay 400+euro for sec patches and stuff than give dhalsim nadella even one eurocent for whatever pos os he comes up with.
See you in 2030, dhalsim.

 

[bonehead123]

I saw this somewhere else the other day, and my VERY FIRST thought was....w.T.f..... backdoor-ish auto-installs of stuff you have absolutely no idea where it came from or what they include in the low-level sectors....

Hard pass, I'll just pony up for the real, official updates that I can download, examine, & install at my choosing, thank you !

 

[Tomorrow]

backdoor-ish auto-installs of stuff you have absolutely no idea where it came from or what they include in the low-level sectors....

As if the alternative of running with no patches beyond 10.2028 is better?

Hard pass, I'll just pony up for the real, official updates that I can download, examine, & install at my choosing, thank you !

But you cant. That's the point.

 

[Vayra86]

As if the alternative of running with no patches beyond 10.2028 is better?

But you cant. That's the point.

1. Maybe it is. The point is that you just don't know and what makes it worse is that you can't check anything.
2. And with 0patch you can? Your point being? AFAIK Win10 still has a semi-annual channel.

0patch is selling system reliability 'because they said so'. Nice business model isn't it?! Do you want some bridges with your order?

 

[Dr. Dro]

Yeah nah, I'm good. People need to stop being clingy - they've been forcing their misdirected vision of Windows on people specifically because you all refuse change to the very bitter end. With the extreme depreciation of old Xeon chips or decommissioned desktops if any of you guys have a legitimate concern, like... build an old rig or snatch an old dirt cheap Optiplex and keep that as a secondary Windows 7 or Windows 10-based system.

Stealth updates on a running system. Mkay. Sounds great. Where can I sign up. And also, this is never going to fail is it?

It'll fail the moment that Microsoft sues them for illegally redistributing ESUs for profit, because I can't see a licensing model where they legally license Microsoft's software with a right to sublicense it and then redeploy it as a paid service for less than the ESU packages themselves are gonna cost. Even if M$ actually signed such a contract (which I find quite unlikely), they'd probably be losing money even if everyone subscribed to the enterprise plan there.

WSUS Offline Update gets by doing what they do because they do not host any of the software, it's just a wget script to download the (public) updates and another script to deploy them. That, and it's free.

 

[Tomorrow]

1. Maybe it is. The point is that you just don't know and what makes it worse is that you can't check anything.
2. And with 0patch you can? Your point being? AFAIK Win10 still has a semi-annual channel.

0patch is selling system reliability 'because they said so'. Nice business model isn't it?! Do you want some bridges with your order?

1. Tell that to a person who's computer gets infected past 10-2028. I would not call that better. If 0patch screwed something up or stealth installed something malicious it would be big news and they would lose a lot of business. It's not in their interest to deceive. Besides they already seem to have income source. It's not the case where someone decides to offer something free and then, due to overwhelming demand discovers that it's not longer possible to keep it free. Thus various "monetization" schemes.
2. Im not saying that. Im saying "something" is always better than nothing - even if it's unofficial. We're talking here about 2028-2030 where MS supports end but 0patch support continues for two years after that.

MS is also selling system reliability and security on their word. Windows is a closed source operating system. There is no way for users to verify MS's claims of security. Windows 11 requires TPM. MS says it's for security reasons and for that we have only their word...

 

[Vayra86]

1. Tell that to a person who's computer gets infected past 10-2028. I would not call that better. If 0patch screwed something up or stealth installed something malicious it would be big news and they would lose a lot of business. It's not in their interest to deceive. Besides they already seem to have income source. It's not the case where someone decides to offer something free and then, due to overwhelming demand discovers that it's not longer possible to keep it free. Thus various "monetization" schemes.
2. Im not saying that. Im saying "something" is always better than nothing - even if it's unofficial. We're talking here about 2028-2030 where MS supports end but 0patch support continues for two years after that.

MS is also selling system reliability and security on their word. Windows is a closed source operating system. There is no way for users to verify MS's claims of security. Windows 11 requires TPM. MS says it's for security reasons and for that we have only their word...

Whoever said they're deploying anything?
How can you check?

Also I still have these bridges for sale. You buying or what, it seems like you're my type of customer

MS is also selling system reliability and security on their word. Windows is a closed source operating system. There is no way for users to verify MS's claims of security. Windows 11 requires TPM. MS says it's for security reasons and for that we have only their word...

But now there is actual code, an actual release, an actual build and actual functionality you can check. I mean, you're struggling to keep your argument afloat I get it, but THINK, please. Use that same critical look you have to compare MS to 0patch, vice versa and you know this ain't the same thing.

 

[R0H1T]

Hard pass, I'll just pony up for the real, official updates that I can download, examine, & install at my choosing, thank you !

Well it's not like the govt isn't already watching you? What's a "few" bad actors

 

[Tomorrow]

Whoever said they're deploying anything?
How can you check?

Wasn't this what you're saying? That they cant be trusted? Unless you meant that they will break into to your home in the middle of the night or something.
How can i check what? What any individual update does or contains? Well id say it's about as obscure as MS's own updates.

Also - jeez. God forbid someone offering unofficial support. Real bad guys there for sure. Is someone pointing a gun at your head forcing you to use 0patch?
What im saying is that running an unpatched and unsupported OS connected to the internet is about as sketchy as trusting unofficial updates.

 

[Vayra86]

Also - jeez. God forbid someone offering unofficial support. Real bad guys there for sure. Is someone pointing a gun at your head forcing you to use 0patch?
What im saying is that running an unpatched and unsupported OS connected to the internet is about as sketchy as trusting unofficial updates.

Thank you then we are in agreement and then you've also perfectly explained why this 0patch business is utterly pointless. We're thinking the same thing, with the distinct difference that you are saying 'people are fine to waste their money on this' and I'm saying 'this could all just be a lie and you wouldn't have a clue'.

The bottom line is, if you don't know, you don't know. What you DO know is that MS has a track record and a direct vested interest in keeping their OS secure. 0patch does not. So what it the latter goes under? Its a bloody start up. They're designed to go under, and maybe just maybe it'll amount to something more positive.

You're being way too naive about the supposed staying power of a business. Its exactly zero and can change daily. Track records matter. Everything else is a wild guess.

 

[Tomorrow]

Thank you then we are in agreement and then you've also perfectly explained why this 0patch business is utterly pointless.

Unofficial support is never pointless. Only people always using the "latest and greatest" can be so shortsighted.
Im not gonna argue over business models here but obviously there are server costs.

We're thinking the same thing, with the distinct difference that you are saying 'people are fine to waste their money on this' and I'm saying 'this could all just be a lie and you wouldn't have a clue'.

Correct. We are in agreement here.

What you DO know is that MS has a track record and a direct vested interest in keeping their OS secure.

Only until the end of extended support. After that it's the wild west.

So what it the latter goes under?

What if the sun explodes during the next four years and we're all dead?
We're taking about past 10-2028. It's still over four years away. I very much doubt most people would use 0patch NOW where there's still years of official support left - paid or otherwise. And if it goes under then people lose ~30 bucks worth of unofficial support. Big deal.

 

[64K]

Not surprised to see a company step up to do this. Most people really like Win 10 (about 2/3rd of the Win OS market even now) and they don't see a compelling reason to 'upgrade'. Steam Hardware Survey shows about half and half Win 10 and Win 11 adoption right now.

 

[_JP_]

It's hot-patching, meaning, nothing absolutely resident, runs on memory and definitely abusable. I'm not sure if their patching is already using tamper checks and certificates, but it didn't use to.
Anyway, Win10 22H2 is viable until Oct 2025. Don't get your panties in a bunch, instead plan ahead if it's important and a priority.

Whoever said they're deploying anything?
How can you check?

HKLM\Software\0patch, if they still use the same method since Windows 7.

 

[Solaris17]

Patching memory addresses live? From unofficial sources that “know” windows dlls inside and out? Sign me up.

 

[The Terrible Puddle]

Windows 11 is better than 10 in my opinion as long as you debloat it with something like WinUtil and MicroWin

 

[Random_User]

I saw this somewhere else the other day, and my VERY FIRST thought was....w.T.f..... backdoor-ish auto-installs of stuff you have absolutely no idea where it came from or what they include in the low-level sectors....

Hard pass, I'll just pony up for the real, official updates that I can download, examine, & install at my choosing, thank you !

Not going to defend the 0patch. But the "official" updates are not really more safer than an unknown and unverified sketchy sources. The fact that the regular windows update can be broken, or even brick millions of PC worldwide, while MS rolling out hot untested garbage, without any preliminary testing or even inspections, turning users into compulsory payless beta testers.

MS have burned the ecosystem to the ground. There is no return for millions of people when the W10 hits EOL. Surely, there are many people, wanting and raising anything MS is throwing in, or at least are forced to use it as their working OS. But MS ecosystem has become atrocious toxic environment. I'm not even mentioning the amount of PCs unable to run the W11, due to hardware requirements.

This is sad, because MS still has huge treasure trove of experience, software and tools, that could othewise lead to an exceptionally well and user friendly products. But alas.

For many Linix is not an alternative, as software giants like Adobe aren't going to support it. But for regular entertainment, and web browsing it is completely fine.

Edit: It's always fine to expect something sketchy from a thrird party software. But this is horrible, to actually use the OS, which is intentionally filled with vulnerabilities, yt the OS maker itself. Just recently MS have patched the hole in Visual Studio. And this is the biggest problem. Windows is and always will be insecure platform, as it is has the massive adoption among the PC users. And any OS, that is popular, will deem the same destiny (Ubuntu, etc...). Thus MS themselves create these holes in their software for themselves and "security organisations", to later exploit it on full. And when the one vulnerability is being accidentally found, the MS will just make "Oopsie" and will go on with inventing even more tricky exploits.
Just the entire point of UEFI, the firmware, that is designed for remote access control of the PC on the lowest level. is just bonkers. Of course, someone might find this convenient, but from the security standpoint, UEFI is a disaster, which was forced by "Wintel cartel", akin to the HDMI bullsh*t from the same era.

Windows 11 is better than 10 in my opinion as long as you debloat it with something like WinUtil and MicroWin

If the OS requires the debloaters to run prior of use, it's nowhere near a good OS. This is complete fail.

 

[Dr. Dro]

Not going to defend the 0patch. But the "official" updates are not really more safer than an unknown and unverified sketchy sources. The fact that the regular windows update can be broken, or even brick millions of PC worldwide, while MS rolling out hot untested garbage, without any preliminary testing or even inspections, turning users into compulsory payless beta testers.

MS have burned the ecosystem to the ground. There is no return for millions of people when the W10 hits EOL. Surely, there are many people, wanting and raising anything MS is throwing in, or at least are forced to use it as their working OS. But MS ecosystem has become atrocious toxic environment. I'm not even mentioning the amount of PCs unable to run the W11, due to hardware requirements.

This is sad, because MS still has huge treasure trove of experience, software and tools, that could othewise lead to an exceptionally well and user friendly products. But alas.

For many Linix is not an alternative, as software giants like Adobe aren't going to support it. But for regular entertainment, and web browsing it is completely fine.

If the OS requires the debloaters to run prior of use, it's nowhere near a good OS. This is complete fail.

That very much remains to be seen. The corporate segment has been very unwilling to ditch Windows, and Microsoft has managed to keep gamers by their side. Windows might be the supreme example of enshittification (and this downward trend has been going on since Windows Vista), but people are simply too reliant on it.

Mac OS being restricted to Apple computers and Linux being... well, the nonsense it is, haven't helped things.

 

[phints]

Hard pass on sticking with this tired old version of Windows.

 

[The Terrible Puddle]

If the OS requires the debloaters to run prior of use, it's nowhere near a good OS. This is complete fail.

To be fair W10 requires debloating and tweaks too.
W11 just requires it more but running the scripts for the different OS'es takes the same amount of time for an end-user, so I don't see it as different.

 

[N3utro]

That's the kind of news people are better off without. You can't trust anyone but the original developper of an OS to provide security updates for it. Using 3rd party unofficial updates source is a big security risk.

People who are still using windows 10 should pay the ESU or switch to windows 11. Hardware requirements for 10 and 11 are the same minus the TPM which you can bypass, and W11 has no big differences with W10 UI wise.

The only good reason to stay on W10 is when companies have in house critical softwares which cant run on W11 which replacement is impossible or its cost would be far greater than paying the ESU.

 

[mechtech]

YESSSS! I'm in. I'd rather pay 400+euro for sec patches and stuff than give dhalsim nadella even one eurocent for whatever pos os he comes up with.
See you in 2030, dhalsim.

Yep................

That's the kind of news people are better off without. You can't trust anyone but the original developper of an OS to provide security updates for it. Using 3rd party unofficial updates source is a big security risk.

People who are still using windows 10 should pay the ESU or switch to windows 11. Hardware requirements for 10 and 11 are the same minus the TPM which you can bypass, and W11 has no big differences with W10 UI wise.

The only good reason to stay on W10 is when companies have in house critical softwares which cant run on W11 which replacement is impossible or its cost would be far greater than paying the ESU.

Well, the local account thing for individual consumers if it becomes fully mandatory for W11 and or 12.

 

[Minus Infinity]

As much as I loathe the idea, I will install a custom debloated win11 on my older PC as an initial test bed. I would like to move to Linux, but it will never support a lot of software I use and I'm not doing virtualisation, same reason I'm not buying an ARM PC for a long time (if ever).

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

You're really looking at some ugly choices sticking with MS, IMO. The options available are, 1. take your chances on W10 when support dries up. 2. take your chances with a company like this and stay on W10. 3. Go W11, but trust debloating tools to alter your Windows install. 4. Hand the keys of your PC to MS, along with whatever half-brained features they devise and drop on you. None of that seems appealing to me, even if I'm just being old and curmudgeonly.