Firefox browser will provide an additional year of security support for Windows 7/8.1
As support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 has ceased, Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge have likewise discontinued support for these operating systems, rendering users of Windows 7/8.1 incapable of upgrading to the latest versions of Chrome and Edge.
Nonetheless, Mozilla Firefox continues to offer support and presently has no plans to terminate its assistance, providing at least an additional year of support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.
The Mozilla Foundation acknowledges that a considerable number of users still utilize Windows 7, and maintaining their “test machines” operational for a more extended period poses no significant issue.
Originally, Firefox intended to discontinue support for Windows 7/8.1 in August 2023. However, the Mozilla Foundation now offers extended support through the Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR) version, lasting at least until the third quarter of 2024.
Mozilla Foundation engineer Michael Kaply states that Firefox 115 ESR will persist in supporting Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 until the third quarter of 2024, during which security updates and fixes will still be provided.
Firefox 115 ESR is slated for release on July 4, 2023, meaning the standard version of Firefox will cease support by August. Users who wish to continue using Firefox securely on Windows 7/8.1 will need to transition to the Firefox ESR version.
Of course, for optimal security, upgrading to Windows 10 or Windows 11 as soon as possible is highly recommended, as Windows 7/8.1 has become increasingly insecure due to the lack of security updates.
