Mozilla has reaffirmed its commitment to providing comprehensive support for Firefox on the Windows 10 operating system, ensuring users will continue to receive both security updates and new features for the foreseeable future.
Continued Compatibility for Users
With a notable 36.5% of Firefox users still operating on Windows 10, this decision guarantees that a significant segment of the browser’s user base will not be left behind. The announcement comes shortly after Microsoft issued its final regular security update for Windows 10, transitioning to a model that offers Extended Security Updates (ESU) only to paying customers, those utilizing the Windows Backup feature, and select users in Europe for an additional year.
Mozilla emphasizes that Firefox will keep delivering “the latest and greatest” features and fixes to those who opt to remain on Windows 10. In contrast to the limited security-only updates provided for Windows 7 and 8, users on Windows 10 will enjoy full feature parity with Windows 11 within Firefox’s release channel. This means that users can anticipate rapid vulnerability patching—often within a 24-hour window—and continued access to new functionalities, mirroring the experience on more modern operating systems.
Since its launch in 2015, Windows 10 has maintained a significant presence in the desktop ecosystem. Its widespread adoption in both home and enterprise settings, coupled with the fact that many devices do not meet the stringent hardware requirements for Windows 11, underscores the importance of ongoing support from third-party vendors like Mozilla. While Microsoft encourages users to transition to Windows 11, the reality is that many are left with limited options, either enrolling in ESU or remaining on unsupported setups.
Mozilla
For those opting to stay on Windows 10, Mozilla recommends taking proactive measures to enhance security. This includes enrolling in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates program and activating Firefox Sync, which provides encrypted backups of browsing data. This feature not only safeguards bookmarks, passwords, and history in the event of device loss or replacement but also facilitates a smoother transition to a new machine, where Firefox may initially launch without user data due to Windows’ management of third-party applications during upgrades.
This commitment to ongoing support aligns seamlessly with Mozilla’s broader strategy of resisting forced obsolescence. Recently, the organization extended support for Firefox ESR 115 on Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, and older macOS versions (10.12 through 10.14) until March 2026, reflecting a dedication to delivering essential security updates for users on legacy platforms. As Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge have long ceased support for these systems, Firefox distinguishes itself as the last major browser providing secure browsing on deprecated operating systems.
In a further demonstration of its commitment to user choice, Mozilla reiterated its support for Manifest V2 browser extensions in February 2025, ensuring that powerful privacy tools like uBlock Origin will continue to operate, even as Google plans to fully disable the older API framework in Chrome.
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