The digital clock has finally run out for holdouts clinging to the past, forcing a critical decision for millions of PC users worldwide.
Mozilla has confirmed that it will officially terminate security updates for Firefox on Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 by the end of February 2026.
The organization is the last major browser maker that still supports the discontinued Windows operating systems.
Windows 7 support ended in January 2020 officially, but Microsoft introduced Extended Security Updates for business customers. These allowed businesses to extend support for up to three years, for a price.
Windows 8 and 8.1 support ended in January 2023, which is also the month that Windows 7 ESU support ended officially.
While Mozilla continued to support Firefox on Windows 7 after January 2023, Microsoft ended support for its Edge browser in the same month. Google followed a month later, when it released Chrome 109, the last official version of the web browser that supported the two operating systems.
Mozilla has now confirmed that it won’t release new updates for Firefox 115 ESR, the last version to support Windows 7 and 8/8.1, after February 2026.
- Firefox 115 is now the last version supported on Windows 7, 8 and 8.1.
- Updates will be delivered through the ESR channel until the end of February 2026.
The organization recommends that users upgrade the operating system to a supported version to “continue receiving Firefox security and feature updates”.
However, this could be problematic for a number of reasons, at least when upgrades to newer versions of Windows are considered:
- The next direct upgrade is Windows 10. Microsoft has ended support and ESU updates are only provided until October 2026 for Home and Pro editions. Mozilla plans to continue supporting Firefox on Windows 10 though.
- Windows 11 is supported, but it has stricter system requirements. Systems that do not meet the requirements can’t be upgraded as easily, if at all (there are some that can’t be bypassed).
Affected users might consider switching to Linux. It is a daunting task, but things have improved significantly in this regard over the years. Yes, some apps or games are not available directly, others may not run, but the vast majority of apps and games should run on Linux.
Firefox 115 ESR will continue to work after February 2026, but Mozilla won’t release any new updates for the version of the open source browser.
I’ll continue using Firefox 115 ESR, which has just been upgraded to 115.32.1 and, likely, the last.
As long as the PC survives I’ll carry on with Windows 7 and Firefox 115 ESR given this branch is the last to support Windows 7.
Moving to a new OS means buying a new PC which is not the problem when the only obstacle is considering a new PC with Linux, a complete new environment. I will definitely NOT install Windows 11 nor even Windows 10.
This is the end my friend, the end of an era.
Websites will start requiring Windows 10 as a minimum, some already do, or at least notify the user. A worthy User-Agent switcher handles that (in which case I set it for ‘Windows 10 / Firefox 147) except for sites that handle the connection via [challenges.cloudflare.com] which fails when the User-Agent has been artificially modified.
Some Firefox extensions as well: uBlock Origin’s latest version states that Firefox 115 ESR is now the minimum version accepted: once 115 ESR no longer supported such extensions may no longer be updated …
Wait and see as far as I’m concerned.
Hi, tom you can use r3dfox , a firefox fork which supports older os .It even supports windows vista and regularly updates with firefox.
https://github.com/Eclipse-Community/r3dfox
Hi akg, yes, I’ve heard about the Eclipse r3dfox. Yet, on its GitHub repository I’ve noticed several issues which bring me to wonder on its reliability. Nevertheless we all read issues which may not happen to be factual in our very own experience, especially if the number of user reports is low. I might very well try the r3dfox (odd name by the way); if it works ok could then a savior. Thanks for letting me know.
+1 for r3dfox (my daily driver)
Also, where a Chromium browser is needed for older Win, try Supermium:
https://github.com/win32ss/supermium
If you’re adventurous, give VxKex API extensions a try (run some Win10+only apps on Win7): https://github.com/YuZhouRen86/VxKex-NEXT
For instance, the latest LibreWolf runs on Win7 with this mod.
I do have a few Win10 LTSC boxes running and one Win11 (virtual for stinking Turbotax … pis$ off Intuit), but Win7 is my main system chugging along for the last 12 years.
Waterfox? PaleMoon? They stop as well?
Hard to believe users still on Windows 7 or 8/8.1.
Windows 10 LTSC is a premier version; Windows 11 is accessible to all with Rufus type tools.
It’s like someone determined to drive an old Willy’s Jeep.
the guys on msfn.org tlaks about this: https://github.com/e3kskoy7wqk/Chromium-for-windows-7-REWORK/releases
is solid here with 1-core cpu