Does 0patch become a riskier alternative to ESU in 2022?

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I have two Win7 pc’s.  The pc I use most has Microsoft ESU while the other has 0patch.  I am considering switching the ESU pc to 0patch because of the ESU price increase in 2022.  But at the same time I am concerned that maybe it’s actually riskier to depend on the 0patch solution (relative to ESU) as we get even further from Win7’s end of life.  Any opinions on this?

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Either 0patch or ESU is a pretty good defense, but with Windows 7, make sure that your Antivirus program is being updated.  I don’t know if Microsoft Security Essentials is getting updates and some other Antivirus software either has stopped or will stop.

You may not want to discuss it, but do the reasons you are using Windows 7 still apply?  With StartIsBack the UI of Windows 10 can be similar to 7, and even old computers usually run Windows 10 fairly well if they have an SSD (often available for under $100 depending on size).  Lots of software runs on Windows 10.  Some of the programs that can’t install do run fine if you copy the program files\program folder, and some DLLs if you get errors.

-BB

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rick41

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I have two Win 7 machines that I keep updated with Microsoft Security Essentials. I don’t know if updates are automatic but I update from the update tab in the MSE window.

My understanding is that MSE will be supported for however long ESU will be in effect (January 2023, I think?)

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MrChaz, SueW

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MSE definition updates are still automatic, DrBonzo.
just tested & confirmed this on an old Win7 SP1 computer running MSE 4.10.209

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MrChaz, DrBonzo

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Thanks for the thoughts.  My A/V is up-to-date and definitely supports Win7 SP1.  There’s a long list of reasons I’ve stayed with Win 7 up until now, and they’re *not* solely “the usual suspects.”  But I’m not going to enumerate them because I definitely plan to move both machines to 10…probably mid-’22, and definitely by the end of ’22.

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rick41 wrote:

But at the same time I am concerned that maybe it’s actually riskier to depend on the 0patch solution

It is not a risk to depend on 0Patch (we have Widows 7 in the family patched by 0Patch Pro.
0Patch fixes other software installed like : Java, Adobe…
and even Windows 10.
You will get updates at least until Windows 7 EOL on 2025 and probably beyond.

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L95, analogkid, AJNorth, Kranium

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Thank you Alex 5723.   When you said “you will get updates at least until Windows 7 EOL on 2025 and probably beyond” ,  did you mean  Windows 10 EOL instead of Windows 7 EOL?   Windows 7 EOL is already past us.

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I think, check with 0patch but on the machine with ESU you can’t use 0Patch.  0Patch might have made changes since the beginning  and might allow their micropatch’s for ESU patched machines.

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0Patch will patch Windows 7 ESU machines.
Example the latest “InstallerFileTakeOver” 0day patch.

Micropatch Availability
This micropatch was written for:

Windows 10 v21H1 (32 & 64 bit) updated with November 2021 Updates
Windows 10 v20H2 (32 & 64 bit) updated with November 2021 Updates
Windows 10 v2004 (32 & 64 bit) updated with November 2021 Updates
Windows 10 v1909 (32 & 64 bit) updated with November 2021 Updates
Windows 10 v1903 (32 & 64 bit) updated with November 2021 Updates
Windows 10 v1809 (32 & 64 bit) updated with May 2021 Updates
Windows 10 v1803 (32 & 64 bit) updated with May 2021 Updates
Windows 10 v1709 (32 & 64 bit) updated with October 2020 Updates

Windows 7 ESU (32 & 64 bit) updated with November 2021 Updates

Windows Server 2019 updated with November 2021 Updates
Windows Server 2016 updated with November 2021 Updates
Windows Server 2012 R2 updated with November 2021 Updates
Windows Server 2012 updated with November 2021 Updates
Windows Server 2008 R2 ESU (32 & 64 bit) updated with November 2021 Updates

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analogkid, wdburt1, rick41

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rick41, Why not try the ESU bypass as a third alternative? download patches using the MS catalog and manually install using the bypass scripts for both CU and .Net patches. Considering there are only 12 months remaining for ESU, this seems a viable option

illegitimi Non Carborundum

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rick41

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Ah, yes, I had forgotten about seeing discussion of the ESU bypass on AskWoody.  I’ll have to add that option into consideration.

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L95 wrote:

did you mean  Windows 10 EOL instead of Windows 7 EOL?

Yes, my bad.

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L95

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Thanks Alex5723.   It’s been over a year since your postings of 2021 on this page.  Is 0Patch still protecting your computer OK for you?  I’m planning on using 0Patch now that my Windows 7 ESUs have expired.

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Alex5723

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L95 wrote:

Is 0Patch still protecting your computer OK for you?

The Windows 7 PC has been upgraded to Windows 10 Pro.
0Patch Pro still active.

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I still have one PC on Windows 7 that has been protected by 0patch since Feb 2020. Just auto renewed for another year and I’ve had no issues.

I was also installing the SO updates only using the “ask woody” stand alone installer method in addition to having 0patch.

0patch support was very quick to respond when I had a question and I feel it is well worth the modest fee for peace of mind. I’m very happy with their service

"An analog kid in a digital world"

Win7 Ultimate home built desktop Running 0patch Pro

Two former 8.1 Laptops & two desktops now running Win 10

Win 10 Dell desktop

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