Mozilla Reaffirms Firefox Support for Windows 7 Users

Mozilla Reaffirms Firefox Support for Windows 7 Users

Mozilla Extends Firefox Support for Older Windows Versions Again

Two years back, Mozilla introduced Firefox 115, marking the last release to support Windows 7, 8, 8.1, as well as various versions of macOS. Subsequent to this launch, the company announced that it would provide additional security updates for Firefox 115 ESR, particularly aimed at outdated Windows platforms. However, this has not been a straightforward process, as Mozilla has postponed the end of support multiple times and has now done so once more.

Extension of Support Timeline

Recently, Mozilla shared an update on its official Firefox release calendar, detailing the revised support timeline for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1. According to the announcement:

We decided to extend support for ESR 115 only on Windows 7-8.1 and macOS 10.12-10.14 up to March 2026. We will re-evaluate this decision in February 2026 and announce any updates on ESR 115’s end-of-life then.

Current Status of Browser Support

As of now, Firefox remains the only major web browser providing security updates for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, which officially lost support in January 2023. With mainstream support for Windows 10 set to conclude soon, companies are strategizing to phase out driver and software support across various platforms. In this context, Mozilla continues to roll out updates for Firefox 115 ESR targeting users on Windows 7.

Challenges and Justifications

Late last year, an engineer from Mozilla highlighted the complexities involved in supporting Windows 7, which has a minimal market share. They noted that ongoing compatibility was becoming increasingly challenging due to the natural divergence of technology over time. Nonetheless, Mozilla appears to have enough users still on Windows 7 to warrant the investment in providing backported security updates for Firefox 115 ESR.

Looking Ahead

Given that Mozilla has reiterated its previous extension strategy, it is plausible that further updates for Firefox 115 ESR on Windows 7 may be on the horizon beyond February 2026. For those seeking additional details regarding Firefox releases and updates, more information can be found on the official website.

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