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.
You can expect 115.33 on 24 February, Tom: https://whattrainisitnow.com/release/?version=esr
Speaking for myself, I do have a Windows 11 Pro laptop, but it has a much smaller screen than my Windows 8.1 machine. I’ve installed Steve Gibson’s “InControl” app on it which has halted feature updates released later than 22h2 while still providing security updates. No issues with Secure Boot either and it shows as enabled in msinfo32 so I expect that to continue.
As for continuing to use 115 ESR I’ll see how it goes. I seldom venture anywhere beyond news media sites and have a lifetime licence with Malwarebytes so I’m not concerned about the security side of things for now.
33, same as the age of a very well know biblical prophet when he passed away…
Hum… sorry for that.
Wonder what this announced to be latest Firefox 115.33 ESR will carry.
@TelV, is it that you are running 115 ESR on a Windows 7/8.1 PC and latest Firefox on a Windows 10/11 laptop?
Same as you when it comes to using 115 ESR, here on Windows 7. Not being a gamer all I need is good, fast, secure connections to basic information and services. Videos accept until a 1080p @60FPS quality, and that’s all I need.
Generally speaking, I linger to understand the pros/cons ratio in the evolution of OSs and browsers.
@ Tom Hawack, Yes that’s about it in a nutshell.
Apart from the miniscule screen dimensions, I positively detest Windows 11 even though it runs the Pro version. I love Windows 8.1 for its simplicity and ease of use although I’ll probably get flamed for that comment. Windows 11 on the other hand is a nightmare and Microsoft seems to have deliberately designed it to be as difficult as possible to use.
And No, I can’t switch to a Linux distro because it’s not supported in this country where it concerns any interaction with local and national government since the mandatory application called DigiD which you’re required to use to login with will only run on proprietary software.
NL land is up in arms at the moment because Solvinity which is the cloud that runs DigiD has been acquired by an American concern called Kyndryl. This implies that Trump could shutdown the Dutch government is he’s having a bad day and somebody upsets him. Rather amusing in a way: https://www.digid.nl/en/solvinity
Why so stubborn, Tom? At least go up one Windows version to 10 and you can get an updated Firefox browser. Windows 10 IoT LTSC is decent enough. Do some googling to find out more about this version.
Chippy, it’s not stubbornness it’s only that Firefox 115 ESR is the latest to support Windows 7.
I’ve never been a fan of he ESR branch and until the latest Firefox versions required a minimum of Windows 10 I’d always update systematically.
Being tied to 115 ESR is the consequence of being tied to Windows 7 which runs perfectly well here on the PC, which complies to all my computing needs as well as Firefox 115 does by the way.
Given this OS + browser environment fills all my needs, the question is double:
1- Switch to a new PC now with the benefits it means or when the PC passes away?
2- A new PC with Windows 11/10 or with Linux?
Question (2) is answered: Linux
Question (1) is not answered at this time, but I’ll likely wait for the “physical death” of the PC (dual-core 2013 built) unless it survives longer than the Web acceptance for Windows 7.
I dislike stubbornness, I believe it is at best the expression of laziness, at worst that of a certain idiocy. I follow a logic which is mine, arguable, but rational I believe. The only weakness I perceive is in a certain fear of having to deal with Linux.
There’s also another option: Installing Windows 10 on your existing PC. Windows 7 is already outdated and does not have official security fixes anymore. I have old PCs running Windows 10 and they run decently. Oldest one is with an Atom processor!
f you are concerned about performance drops on your current hardware, then pull the band-aid off and start experimenting with Linux live ISOs. Linux will run better than running Windows, but the trade-offs are the troubleshooting and dealing with the command-line when things go wrong.
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 talk about this: https://github.com/e3kskoy7wqk/Chromium-for-windows-7-REWORK/releases
is solid here with 1-core cpu
On a consumer level, Windows 7 is dead. For small businesses that run Windows 7 for particular tasks, it will be alive for a lot longer.
If you still want to use Windows 7 then switch to Supermium which is based on Chrome/Chromium LTS or continue using Firefox 115.x ESR
The other options would be to switch to Windows 10 LTSC 2019 which is supported until 2029 or switch to Windows 10 LTSC 2021 which is supported until 2032 then use the latest Firefox release.
You can still manually download whatever version you want though, https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/
The garage laptop is sill running 7 but it is isolated. Even so, I still keep getting that annoying Firefox popup “updates are available” which is total BS since it’s impossible for it to check.
Ah Windows 7, when aesthetics still mattered to M$.