That in the midst of expansion of Windows 11 is still available on computers running Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 It may be surprising, but they are still more common than you might think, both in homes and businesses. Many people keep using older software, out of habit, or simply because they don't want to replace equipment that "still works."
That inertia is going to become more complicated for those who use the Internet daily: Mozilla has confirmed that Firefox will stop receiving updates on all systems older than Windows 10.With this move, users of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 will lose the last major browser that was still receiving security patches on these now discontinued versions of Windows.
Deadline: End of support for Firefox 115 ESR
Mozilla had been warning about this for some time: Firefox 115 is the latest version officially compatible with Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1This edition is distributed through the Extended Support Release (ESR) channel, designed to offer stability and security patches for a longer period, especially in professional environments.
Initially, the foundation announced that support for Firefox 115 ESR on these systems would end in September 2024. However, the large number of users who were still on Windows 7 This led to the deadlines being extended first until February 2025 and then until February 2026.
Following these two extensions, Mozilla has updated its official documentation to establish a clear end point: Security updates for Firefox 115 ESR will end at the end of February 2026From that date onwards, the browser will continue to function, but will no longer receive vulnerability fixes or new features.
The support page itself includes a notice for those still using these older systems: version 115 is the last compatible version and They have been automatically migrated to the ESR branch through application updatesso that all affected users are concentrated on that channel before the final closure.
Mozilla explains that, once the deadline has passed, Computers running Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 will no longer receive any security patches for Firefox.The recommendation is clear: you will need to update your operating system if you want to continue browsing securely with this browser.
Windows 7, 8 and 8.1: no Microsoft support and no up-to-date browsers
Mozilla's move adds to a trend that was already established. Microsoft ended the life of Windows 7 in 2020and Windows 8 and 8.1 in 2023, ceasing to publish security updates for the system.
The major commercial browsers followed the same path (for example, Firefox for Windows 8 touch has been cancelled). Google Chrome ended support for these versions in January 2025 with the release of Chrome 110.Microsoft Edge also focused on Windows editions still supported by the manufacturer.
In that context, Firefox had remained the only major option that continued to release security patches for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1That “last trench” is now coming to an end, leaving these systems without actively maintained navigators.
Mozilla justifies its decision in terms of security and sustainability: the Unsupported operating systems carry known vulnerabilities that are not corrected and, therefore, become a high-risk environment for any application running on them, especially a browser permanently connected to the Internet.
On its help portal, the foundation states it clearly: maintain Firefox on platforms without official Microsoft support. “It is costly for Mozilla and risky for users.”Every vulnerability that appears in Windows without an official patch complicates the task of ensuring that the browser behaves securely on that basis.
What will happen to Firefox on these systems from February 2026 onwards?
From the user's perspective, the change has important nuances. Firefox will not suddenly stop launching on Windows 7, 8, or 8.1The program will continue to open and allow web browsing as before.
The difference will lie in the “invisible” fund maintenance: No new versions of Firefox 115 ESR will be released to fix security flaws or improve its performance.Over time, this implies an increased risk of attacks and potential incompatibilities with modern websites.
Even today, continuing to use an operating system without official support carries some risks. If you add to that a browser that stops receiving updates, The combination becomes especially problematic for tasks such as online banking, internet shopping, or managing personal data..
Mozilla itself insists that, although the support period for these systems was extended on previous occasions, the closing date is now clearly set for the end of February 2026. A further extension is considered possible, but unlikely.precisely because of the cost of continuing to maintain an increasingly smaller user base with more associated risks.
The practical consequence is that, after a few months without patches, The browser will become progressively exposed to public vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit, while users of newer systems will continue to receive automatic updates with fixes.
Options for users in Spain and Europe: update or change system
For those in Spain or any European country who still depend on a PC with Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, the general recommendation is clear: make the leap to at least Windows 10or preferably to Windows 11 if the hardware allows it.
Although Windows 10 is also nearing the end of its life cycle, it still continues to receive security patches, and Above all, it remains fully compatible with current versions of Firefox. and from other browsers. This allows the equipment to remain operational with a reasonable level of protection in the short and medium term.
In many professional environments, Windows 7 is still used due to reliance on legacy applications, industrial equipment, or specific software that hasn't been updated. In these cases, the situation is particularly critical: Working daily with an unsupported system and an outdated browser increases the chances of experiencing cybersecurity incidents..
For individual users who only use the computer for basic tasks (email, social media, dealings with European or Spanish administrations), this may be a good time to consider replacing the equipment with a more modern device.Whether it's a laptop with Windows 11, a computer with Linux pre-installed, or even a tablet if the needs are very basic.
In any case, the key is to stop using, as much as possible, systems that have been left out of Microsoft's update policies and those of the browsers themselvesContinuing to browse daily from Windows 7 with Firefox frozen on version 115 ESR will become less and less advisable as time goes on.
Alternatives for computers that do not support Windows 10
There is a fairly common scenario in Europe: older computers that do not meet the requirements to install Windows 10 or 11However, they still function relatively well for simple tasks. For these cases, Mozilla specifically points to Linux distributions as the main alternative.
Many of these Linux variants, such as Ubuntu or Linux Mint, They include Firefox as the default browser. They also provide regular, free system and application updates. Furthermore, they tend to take better advantage of older hardware than the latest versions of Windows.
The change will require some adjustment: the interface is different and some Windows programs won't have a direct equivalent. However, For basic uses such as browsing, checking email, or using cloud services, Linux can extend the life of an older PC with greater security..
For Spanish organizations or small businesses that still rely on specific Windows 7 software, a possible intermediate solution involves isolate those devices from the Internetusing them only for the old application and leaving daily navigation to other updated devices.
Whichever solution is chosen, Mozilla's main warning is clear: It's not a good idea to continue using Firefox on Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 to connect to the Internet once support for version 115 ESR ends.The priority should be to limit exposure to threats that exploit known vulnerabilities in unmaintained systems.
With this step, Mozilla completes its alignment with the rest of the technology industry: Systems prior to Windows 10 are definitively excluded from the map of official support. For major browsers, the message is clear. For users, the message is unequivocal: they will have to update their system, consider migrating to Linux, or upgrade their hardware if they want to continue using Firefox (or any modern browser) with a minimum guarantee of security and stability in the coming years.
