Windows 10 will no longer receive updates from October 2025: Use this tool to change that!

Microsoft will end extended support for Windows 10 in October 2025. From then on, the operating system will no longer receive any updates, including security updates. Given the current security situation, this poses a major risk.

Although Microsoft offers a paid option to receive additional 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.

An alternative is the 0Patch solution from Acros Security. This provides security updates with micro-patches. It’s even free. This article shows how you can use this solution and what advantages the paid subscriptions to 0Patch bring.

0Patch can also offer more security for Windows 11 and Microsoft Office installations as well as Windows servers. This is interesting for the self-employed and small businesses. They can start using 0Patch now and benefit from updates that Microsoft itself does not yet provide.

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What is behind 0Patch?

0Patch enables micro-patches to be quickly and efficiently deployed for security vulnerabilities in software, for example in Windows 10. Unlike conventional patching methods that require full updates or service packs to be installed, 0Patch relies on tiny, targeted code changes that are injected directly into the memory of the running process. This closes the vulnerability immediately, without the need to restart the system.

This is particularly beneficial for systems where downtime needs to 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 operate the solution, you need a free account with 0Patch. Then you install the agent on your Windows 10 PC. If 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 Server.

The Pro version costs 25 euros per year and computer. The free version of 0Patch does not install any special updates for Windows, only 0-day patches.

These are gaps in Windows that are not yet publicly known or for which there are no official patches or updates from Microsoft. Since these vulnerabilities can be exploited by cybercriminals before a patch is available, they pose a significant security risk.

Attackers often use 0-day vulnerabilities to penetrate systems undetected, install malware or steal confidential data. Since these vulnerabilities often go unnoticed by the general public and the software manufacturer, 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, register with a free account on the Arcos Security portal. central.0patch.com You can manage your account and also see the connected PCs. If installing 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 the necessary updates for Windows 10/11, no 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 can also find the patches that the service provides here.

Under “Account” you can see the email address you are connected to and the key for your account. You do not need to do anything here during normal operation. If you are responsible for several PCs, you can see the security status of all connected computers here.

Under “Billing” you can see the current billing for the service. If you stay with the free version, you don’t have to pay anything and you can connect up to 10 PCs that are provided with 0-day patches. However, you can switch to the Pro edition at any time. This makes sense if you use Windows 10 from the end of October 2025 at the latest.

Install and set up Agent for 0Patch in Windows

The 0Patch agent for Windows is available in the “Resources” section of the 0Patch web portal. You download this onto the PC that you want to supply with the 0Patch micro patches. You can install it on Windows 10/11. The agent is an MSI file with a size of just under 4 MB. 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 will then scan the PC and display the updates that are available. You can use “Scan now” to scan manually at any time and display the latest updates. It is important that “Agent Status” is set to “Enabled”. Under “License” you will see your current license, for example “Free”.

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

You can use the icons at the top to manually switch between the agent’s menus. On the far left is the dashboard with its summaries. Also open “Applications”. Here you can see the applications that 0Patch keeps up to date. Next to the applications you will find a list of the available updates that 0Patch has installed 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

Once you have connected your PC, you can access the web portal via the address central.0patch.com Check whether the PC is properly connected. In the window you will see the local IP address of the computer and when it last synchronized with 0Patch. You will find the settings next to it and on the far right you will find the log of the last actions. The tool’s extensive manual can be called up via the context menu of the 0Patch icon in the tray area of ​​the toolbar.