Mozilla has announced an extension of support for Firefox 115 ESR (Extended Support Release), now maintaining the branch until March 2026. This update adjusts the previous timeline, which had initially scheduled end-of-life for March 2025 and was later revised to September 2025.
The Firefox 115 ESR is the final version compatible with older operating systems. It remains the last Firefox branch to support Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1. On macOS, it is also the last version available for macOS 10.12 (Sierra), 10.13 (High Sierra), and 10.14 (Mojave).
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Mozilla keeps Firefox available for aged OSes because they still have a significant user base. Internal data shows that a notable segment of Firefox users continues to run on Windows 7, despite Microsoft ended official support for the operating system in January 2020. The continued presence of users on legacy platforms allows Mozilla to expand its own user base by providing them with a modern and functional browser. It is the only option now for environments where system upgrades can't be done for a reason.
So, Firefox will retain its position as the only major web browser still providing support for Windows 7 and 8. Google Chrome discontinued support for these operating systems in February 2023, leaving users on older Windows versions without updates or security patches from other mainstream browsers.
Firefox ESR will continue to receive critical security updates, stability improvements, and compatibility fixes for the foreseeable future. This is a good option for organizations and individuals who rely on legacy hardware or specialized software that prevents migration to newer operating systems.
Besides the legacy hardware and OSes, the ESR branch of the browser is widely used in enterprise, educational, and embedded environments where long-term stability and compatibility are essential. Actual Firefox versions will continue to require modern operating systems, and users are encouraged to upgrade when possible to benefit from the latest performance enhancements, security improvements, and AI integration.
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