Mozilla, the renowned developer behind the Firefox browser, has recently announced an extension of support for Firefox ESR 115, specifically for users still operating on Windows 7. This support will now continue until March 2026, providing a lifeline for those who have yet to transition to newer operating systems.
Continued Support Amidst Obsolescence
Firefox 115 marks the last version of the browser that is compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 8.1. While Microsoft has officially ended support for these operating systems, Mozilla remains committed to its users through the Extended Support Release (ESR) channel, distinguishing itself as the last major browser vendor to offer such support.
Earlier this year, Microsoft ceased support for its Chromium-based Edge browser, further emphasizing the dwindling options for users of older systems. In July 2023, Mozilla initially announced that support for Firefox 115 ESR would last until September 2024, which was subsequently extended to 2025, and now, to March 2026.
“This extension gives users more time to transition while ensuring critical security protections remain available,” Mozilla stated, highlighting its dedication to user security and experience.
Despite this extension, Mozilla continues to advocate for users to upgrade to a supported operating system to fully benefit from the latest features and ensure long-term stability. The ESR program will provide essential security updates, but users seeking cutting-edge features will need to consider both a browser and operating system upgrade.
Implications for the Future
The end of extended support for Windows 7 was officially marked in 2020. However, users could still receive security updates through Microsoft’s Extended Security Update program until January 10, 2023, which also coincided with the cessation of support for Windows 8.1.
Looking ahead, 2026 could prove to be a pivotal year for users of aging hardware. Alongside the anticipated end of support for outdated Windows versions, Mozilla plans to discontinue support for 32-bit Linux with the release of Firefox 144. Following that, Firefox 145 will not accommodate 32-bit Linux users, compelling them to revert to Firefox ESR 140, which will continue to support 32-bit builds until at least September 2026.
As the tech landscape evolves, 32-bit Linux has increasingly fallen out of favor, with Mozilla acknowledging that “32-bit Linux is no longer widely supported by the vast majority of Linux distributions, and maintaining Firefox on this platform has become increasingly difficult and unreliable.”
Thus, while the end may seem near for certain platforms, the transition to the ESR channel offers a temporary refuge, albeit with the uncertainty of future support beyond 2026.
