Firefox to end support for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 and will move these users to Firefox ESR

Mozilla, the maker of the open source Mozilla Firefox web browser, has confirmed that it will end support for Firefox on Microsoft operating systems Windows 7, 8 and 8.1. The last supported version of Firefox for these operating systems will be version 115.

Users of Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1 will be moved to the Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR) channel by an application update. Mozilla will provide security updates for these users until September 2024. However, after that date, no security updates will be provided.

Microsoft ended official support for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 in January 2023. Unsupported operating systems receive no security updates and have known exploits. With no official support from Microsoft, maintaining Firefox for obsolete operating systems becomes costly for Mozilla and dangerous for users.

Mozilla is providing critical security updates through the Firefox ESR channel up until the end of ESR version 115, September 2024. After this, no security updates are provided and users are strongly encouraged to move to a supported version of Microsoft Windows.

According to Mozilla, the decision to end support for these operating systems is in line with industry standards. It is also part of the company's commitment to maintaining the security and privacy of its users.

Mozilla recommends that users of Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 upgrade to a supported version of Microsoft Windows as soon as possible. This will ensure that they continue to receive security updates and avoid any potential security risks associated with using an unsupported operating system.