In a notable move reflecting the enduring popularity of older operating systems, Mozilla has announced an extension of support for its Firefox browser on Windows 7 and 8.1. This decision comes in the wake of Microsoft’s cessation of support for these platforms over a year ago. Despite the official end of life for Windows 7 and 8.1, many users and software vendors continue to rely on these systems, showcasing a remarkable resilience in the face of technological advancement.
Mozilla’s Commitment to Legacy Systems
Back in May 2023, shortly after the formal discontinuation of Windows 7 and 8.1, Mozilla introduced its Extended Support Release (ESR) branch for Firefox, promising 15 months of security updates for users still operating on these legacy systems. As the initial deadline approached, the company recognized a substantial base of legacy customers, leading to a further extension until September 2024. Now, as we near this latest deadline, Mozilla has once again decided to prolong support, this time extending it to September 2025.
According to a recent update from Neowin, Mozilla’s ESR release calendar now indicates that support for Firefox 115 ESR will continue specifically for Windows 7 and 8.1, as well as macOS versions 10.12 to 10.14. The company has stated:
We decided to extend support for ESR 115 only on Windows 7-8.1 and macOS 10.12-10.14 up to September 2025. We will re-evaluate this decision in August 2025 and announce any updates on ESR 115’s end-of-life then.
This careful phrasing suggests that further extensions may be possible, but users are encouraged to consider upgrading to a more current version of Windows for enhanced security and functionality. It’s important to note that while security updates will continue for the ESR releases, new features will only be available on operating systems that are still supported by their respective vendors. With Windows 10 also approaching its end-of-life date, those contemplating an upgrade would be wise to transition to Windows 11 for a more secure and feature-rich experience.
