Mozilla has quietly granted a reprieve to users still running legacy Windows operating systems. The company recently updated its official support documentation to extend Firefox 115 ESR compatibility with Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 for an additional six months, pushing the end-of-support date further into 2024.
The extension affects Firefox's Extended Support Release (ESR) version, which is specifically designed for organizations and users who need enhanced stability and security updates over longer periods. While the mainstream Firefox browser already ceased support for these older Windows versions, ESR users will continue receiving critical security patches and bug fixes.
This move comes as a surprise given Mozilla's previous commitment to discontinuing support for outdated operating systems. The decision was made without any official announcement or press release, discovered only through changes to the company's support documentation. Industry analysts suggest this reflects Mozilla's recognition that a small but significant user base remains dependent on these legacy systems.
For users still running Windows 7, 8, or 8.1, this extension provides crucial breathing room to either upgrade their operating systems or transition to alternative browsers. However, Mozilla emphasizes that this is likely the final extension, urging users to migrate to supported platforms for optimal security and performance.
