Firefox will soon stop supporting Windows 7 and 8 – Mozilla recommends switching immediately to a new operating system

Mozilla is ending support for Firefox on legacy versions of Windows

Mozilla announced the end of support for the Firefox browser on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 operating systems. Users are advised to upgrade to newer platform versions because new features and security fixes will only be available in Firefox releases compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11.

What happened
StageDateEvent2023–Microsoft ended support for Windows 7.2024MarchMozilla announced its intention to continue supporting older Windows and macOS (Windows 7‑8.1, macOS 10.12‑10.14) through the Extended Support Release (ESR) program.2024JuneThe planned extension of Firefox 115 ESR support until September 2024 was postponed to 2025, then to March 2026.2026End of FebruaryMozilla reports the end of Firefox 115 support on Windows 7‑8.1 and the cessation of updates via ESR by the end of February 2026.

Why it matters
* Security – After support ends, the browser will no longer receive critical patches, increasing the risk of vulnerability exploitation.

* New features – All modern Firefox capabilities are only available in versions for Windows 10/11.

What users should do
1. Upgrade the OS

Switch to Windows 10 or Windows 11—this is the simplest way to continue using Firefox with full security updates and new features.

2. Switch to another browser

If upgrading the OS isn’t possible, consider alternatives that support legacy Windows versions (e.g., older Chrome or Edge releases).

3. Check compatibility

Ensure all essential web applications and plugins work on the new system.

Conclusion
Mozilla is ending Firefox 115 support for Windows 7‑8.1 at the end of February 2026. Users should upgrade their operating system to Windows 10/11 to keep receiving security updates and browser features, helping avoid potential threats and ensuring a smooth online experience.