Image: tanuha2001/Shutterstock.com
Microsoft will discontinue extended support for Windows 10 in October 2025. From then on, the operating system will no longer receive any updates, including security updates. In view of the current security situation, this poses a major threat.
Although Microsoft offers a paid option to continue receiving updates via Extended Security Updates (ESU), this will probably be too expensive for many households. Microsoft will publish the exact prices for private individuals shortly before the end of Windows 10 support.
The 0Patch solution from Acros Security offers an alternative. At its most basic tier, 0Patch provides security updates via micro-patches to Windows personal accounts for free. But the Pro tier, for an affordable $24.95 a year, extends that security to Windows 10 beyond the October 25 end of service.
0Patch Pro can also provide more security for Windows 11 and Microsoft Office installations as well as Windows servers. This is interesting for the self-employed and small businesses. You can start using 0Patch now and benefit from updates that Microsoft itself has not yet made available.
Further reading: 5 reasons you should become a Windows Insider (and 5 you shouldn’t)
What is behind 0Patch?
0Patch makes it possible to quickly and efficiently provide micro-patches for security gaps in software, for example in Windows 10. In contrast to traditional patch methods, where full updates or service packs have to be installed, 0Patch relies on tiny, targeted code changes that are injected directly into the memory of the running process. This closes the gap immediately without the need to restart the system.
This is particularly advantageous for systems where downtime must be minimized or for software that is no longer supported by the manufacturer. 0Patch thus provides a flexible and responsive way to fix security vulnerabilities in real time, making it a valuable addition to any security concept.
To run the solution, you need a free account with 0Patch. Then install the agent on your Windows 10 PC. When updates appear, the agent downloads them and installs them in Windows. If you book a Pro subscription, you will also receive special updates for Windows 10/11 and for older Office versions and even Windows servers.
The free version of 0Patch does not install any special updates for Windows, but only 0-day patches.
These are security gaps in Windows that are not yet publicly known or for which there are no official patches or updates from Microsoft. As these vulnerabilities can be exploited by cyber criminals before a patch is available, they pose a significant risk.
Attackers often use 0-day gaps to penetrate systems undetected, install malware, or steal confidential data. As these vulnerabilities often go unnoticed by the general public and the affected software vendor, they are particularly dangerous and require proactive measures to minimize potential damage. This is where 0Patch can help.
Putting 0Patch into operation: First steps in the 0Patch web portal
To use 0Patch, log in to the Arcos Security portal with a free account. You can manage your account via the address central.0patch.com and also see the connected PCs. If the installation of 0-day updates is not enough for you, you can use a Pro subscription for 30 days free of charge. Here you will receive all necessary updates for Windows 10/11, not just patches for 0-day gaps.
Thomas Joos
Thomas Joos
Thomas Joos
In the window you can see the computers that you have already connected to 0Patch and their last connection to the service. You will also find the patches provided by the service.
Via “Account” you can see the email address you are connected to and the key of your account. You do not need to do anything here during operation. If you are responsible for several PCs, you can see the security status of all connected computers here.
With “Billing” you can see the current billing of the service. If you stay with the free version, you do not have to pay anything and can connect up to 10 PCs, which are supplied with 0-day patches. However, you can switch to the Pro edition at any time. This makes sense when using Windows 10 from the end of October 2025 at the latest.
Install and set up the agent for 0Patch in Windows
The 0Patch agent for Windows is available in the “Resources” section of the 0Patch web portal. Download it to the PC that you want to supply with the 0Patch micro-patches. You can carry out the installation on Windows 10/11. The agent is an MSI file with a size of just under 4MB. After starting the installation, confirm the license conditions and the installation location. The installation of the agent is completed quickly.
Then log in to the console with your account. The console then scans the PC and displays the updates that are available. With “scan now” you can scan manually at any time and display the current updates. It is important that the value “Enabled” is set for “Agent Status.” You can see your current license, for example “Free,” under “License.”
Thomas Joos
Thomas Joos
Thomas Joos
You can navigate between the agent menus using the icons at the top. The dashboard with its summaries is on the far left. Next to it, open “Applications.” Here you can see the applications that 0Patch currently has. Next to the applications is a list of the available updates that 0Patch installs on the PC. You can also deactivate individual updates here. In most cases, however, you do not need to change anything here.
Thomas Joos
Thomas Joos
Thomas Joos
If you have connected the PC, you can check in the web portal via the address central.0patch.com whether the PC is properly connected. You will see the computer’s local IP address in the window and the last time it synchronized with 0Patch. The settings can be found next to it and the log of the last actions can be found on the far right. The tool’s comprehensive manual can be called up via the context menu of the 0Patch icon in the tray area of the toolbar.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.
Author: Thomas Joos, Contributor
Thomas Joos has 40 years of experience in the IT industry and has established himself as a freelance author and expert in the areas of networks, security, business software, artificial intelligence and operating systems. His extensive work includes more than 100 books, including publications for Microsoft Press. In addition to his writing work, Joos offers consulting services for companies, especially in the areas of security and network infrastructure. As a trainer for LinkedIn Learning, he regularly creates online courses aimed at professionals and administrators.
