More than two years ago, Microsoft offered the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to organizations that were still operating the above OSs. ESU allowed them to receive significant security updates to help them stay safe from cyber threats.
Microsoft will provide the final batch of security updates for Windows 7 in January 2023, but a platform called 0patch aims to take Microsoft''s position in keeping old operating systems protected from cyber threats. This week, 0patch announced that its micropatching service for Windows 7, as well as Windows Server 2008 R2 devices will be available until January 2025 (via TechSpot).
"We have decided to continue providing Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 security patches for potential vulnerabilities, and we will be happy to keep you secured for a fraction of what you had previously paid for ESU," said 0patch''s blog.
The micropatches of 0patch are used directly in the memory of running operations instead of changing your executable files, thus a user does not need to restart their computer before completing installing the modifications.
If a user is under Microsoft''s ESU program and wants to continue receiving security updates with 0patch, they must only apply all remaining ESU updates. After that, they must install the 0patch "Free Agent" on their Windows 7 or Server 2008 R2 computers and register them to their 0patch account. You can download it here.
Back in March 2022, the 0patch team issued an unofficial fix for an old Windows vulnerability. Three months later, they also deployed a patch for a Zero-day vulnerability in Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool.