You may already be familiar with 0patch. Back when Microsoft ended support for Windows 10, the company stepped in and promised updates for Windows 10 until 2030. Although the official end of extended Windows 10 support has been postponed once again, 0patch continues to provide its own updates for critical issues.
0patch operates with what are known as “micropatches.” These micropatches don’t require direct access to Office 2021’s code, but instead integrate their own code fragments externally. Not only do these micropatches help to patch vulnerabilities and resolve issues, but they can also be removed in case of errors and bugs.
What 0patch costs (plus alternatives)
0patch is a promising way to continue using Office 2021, but it’s not completely free. Although the company provides select updates free of charge to private users, it’ll cost €24.95 per year per PC for the full range of security updates. For business customers, the price is €34.95.
If you don’t use 0patch, Microsoft’s recommendation is to either switch to Microsoft 365 or Office 2024. Not sure which one is right for you? See our guide to choosing Microsoft 365 or Office 2024.
Note: 0patch doesn’t offer traditional support for the software being patched. That’s still the responsibility of Microsoft, although they’re unlikely to be of much help once official support ends.