Question Using Firefox on Windows 7 ?

[wingspar2]

Firefox is ending its ESR support for Windows 7 in August, and no security updates will be coming out after that date. I have a very good firewall and anti virus software, and I wonder if that will keep me safe after there is no longer support for Firefox on Windows 7 ?

I do have Windows 11 but never use it as I prefer Windows 7.

 

[USAFRet]

Firefox is ending its ESR support for Win 7 in August, and no security updates will be coming out after that date. I have a very good firewall and anti virus software, and I wonder if that will keep me safe after there is no longer support for Firefox on Win 7.

I have Win 11, but never use it as I prefer Win 7.

Firewall and AV are only part of the solution. The gray squishy thing between your ears is a major factor.

 

[Lutfij]

I wonder if that will keep me safe after there is no longer support for Firefox on Win 7.
Hard to say, if you're very very cautious of your browsing habits then you're not in any danger. However the best of us have had a moment. I'd advise moving away from Windows 7 if you need to be connected to the internet. If you can live without the www, you can work with any old school OS.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Antivirus softwares and firewalls are fairly limited in what they can do. With an operating system that is nearly 5 years out of security updates, there are almost certainly going to be vulnerabilities inherent to core components of the operating system that no antivirus/firewall can protect.

As has been said above, the main part of keeping secure is to be careful what YOU do online. However, as long as that computer is online it will be "insecure" and could act as a point of entry into your network to effect other devices, so just be mindful of this.

I would recommend windows 10 LTSC or Windows 11 with some tweaks to make it more like Windows 7 look and feel.

 

[cruisetung]

You don't have to use Windows, you can use Linux

==

Maybe Supermium? No experience.

Supermium - Secure & Fast Browser for Older Devices

Supermium - A Secure, Fast Chromium-Based Browser for Older Devices like Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 | Lightweight & Modern Web Experience #Supermium

www.supermium.org

It's open source

https://github.com/win32ss/supermium

 

[wingspar2]

Thanks for the replies. I am very careful about what I do online. I never click on links in email unless I know the sender is trustworthy. Even then I’m cautious sometimes. I very rarely have more than one device turned on at a time. My Win 7 computer sees about 98% of use and my Win 11 computer the other 2%.

Originally I bought the computer with Win 10 on purpose. It was easy to set up and use, but within a day or two I got a message to download Win 11. The only options were to start the download now or remind me in 3 days. I chose to remind me in 3 days. One hour later, Win 11 started downloading. I’ve never been able to get Win 11 setup to my preferences. I find it very frustrating to use.

I built this Win 7 computer from scratch, and to date I still find it the most user friendly computer I’ve ever used and I just bought a 2TB SSD to put into my Win 7 computer. It seems like Win 11 fights me every time I turn it on. I will someday move to Win 11 Permanently, but I don’t see that happening any time soon.

Since I’m careful about sites that I go to, I’ll continue to trust my AV for now and use the gray squishy thing between my ears.

 

[wingspar2]

Maybe Supermium? No experience.

Supermium - Secure & Fast Browser for Older Devices

Supermium - A Secure, Fast Chromium-Based Browser for Older Devices like Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 | Lightweight & Modern Web Experience #Supermium

www.supermium.org

It's open source

https://github.com/win32ss/supermium

Never heard of Supermium. It looks like it is tabs only, and no windows. Does anyone know if Supermium is capable of using windows instead of tabs?

 

[cruisetung]

I always install Open Shell Menu with my Win10/Win11 machines to get Win7 Start Menu back.
https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu

Release 4.4.196 · Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu

What's Changed Add ARM64 support by @Mattiwatti in #641 ExplorerPatcher compatibility by @ge0rdi in #2107 Full Changelog: v4.4.195...v4.4.196 Important Note for ARM64 users Recent Windows 11 on A...

github.com

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=open+shell+menu

Supermium on Windows Vista

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIHvTO9Vh40

 

[cruisetung]

Pale Moon is a Firefox fork, don't know if it will keep updated.

https://www.palemoon.org/systemrequirements.shtml

The Pale Moon Project homepage

Pale Moon is an Open Source, Mozilla-derived web browser available for Microsoft Windows and Linux, focusing on efficiency and ease of use.

www.palemoon.org