Still on Windows 10? 0patches may be your best defense at the ‘end of support era’

ZDNET Highlights

• 0patch’s Pro plan costs about $30 per year, and also includes a free tier that offers zero-day patches.
• It’s easy to install and runs quietly in the background, automatically applying updates as they arrive.
• Some users have reported performance issues after installing the patch.

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In early 2023, Microsoft announced that it will 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 stopped regular updates and security patches for Windows 10, marking the end of its 10-year run, while millions of users are looking for alternatives.

Also: New laptop? How to clean your old Windows PC before you get rid of it

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

Luckily, there is another way — 0patch is a software service designed to keep systems secure for years to come.

0What is a patch?

0patch is a Europe-based third-party security company that specializes in distributing micropatches for Windows 10. As the name suggests, a micropatch is a small update that addresses a single, specific vulnerability. It may not seem like much, but these patches are released frequently, creating a powerful security 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 to Mitja Kolacek, one of 0patch’s co-founders, who told me that the company has “limited control over the flow of vulnerable information” because it relies on these external searches. He said that on average users can expect two to three micropatches per month, although the number may vary. From my experience with 0patches, 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 only releases patches for vulnerabilities that meet the strict criteria outlined on it support page. In short, a vulnerability is more likely to be fixed if:

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

There are several versions of 0patch. The free tier primarily provides zero-day patches fixing critical vulnerabilities, while the paid Pro plan adds post-EOS (end of service) updates on top. Kolsek told me that it is not recommended to simply use 0Patch Free without paying for Microsoft’s ESU service, because 0Patch Free does not include the “legacy patches” needed to keep Windows 10 22H2 fully secure. 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 behaved 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 works quietly in the background, requiring no additional work or changes.

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

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

It’s worth noting that the 0patch update is known to cause performance issues. As explained further, these problems take many forms 0patch’s troubleshooting pageWhich includes compatibility issues with Avast antivirus programs and random crashes. If you suspect that the most recent patch is causing problems, you can disable it at any time from the app’s dashboard, allowing you to apply either solution.

One of my favorite aspects of the service’s patches is how lightweight they are; They do not affect your computer’s performance in any meaningful way. I discovered this when I ran several Geekbench 6 tests on my Windows 10 laptop to determine whether the 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.

Finally, it’s important to note that 0patch plans to end its own Windows 10 support in October 2030, but that may continue longer. Kolacek told me that “if there is enough demand, we will extend our support for Windows 10 22H2 (past) October 2030,” potentially to 2035 or beyond.

ZDNET’s shopping advice

0patch pro Costs €25 per year (about $30) and includes a 30-day free trial. There’s also an Enterprise plan for €35 (about $40) for a full year, which includes tools to manage multiple users, roles, and devices. If you’re only protecting one 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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Let me be clear: I personally did not use 0patch when I tested the software. I may have had trouble with Windows 11, but I upgraded, 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 also outlines the Linux distributions he believes will dominate through 2026.