Firefox ESR and W7

[Rekusu]

What ho one and all,

I hate change!!!! But the nature of the digital world is alwsy 'improving' and in the process, making hardware that is working perfectly, redundant.

And so it is with my Firefox 115 ESR and its update to 128ESR. Apparently, from Sept, W7 will no longer be supported and I am more than happy with W7. My computer is old and may accept W8, but not really so good for anything higher.

Since FF128ESR has been out since July, are ther any wizards who have discovered how to hack About:Config or even the W7 registry, to allow 128ESR to run under W7?

Thanks and toodle pip

[Midknyte]

The last update for FF115ESR just dropped (115.15). You can continue to use that for a while.

I don't know of any hacks to get 128ESR to run on Win7, but there is a forked version called r3dfox. There is a portable version, so you can test it out first.
https://github.com/Eclipse-Community/r3dfox

If you need a Chrome-based browser, you can try Supermium. There is a portable version of that also.
https://github.com/win32ss/supermium
https://portableapps.com/apps/intern...rmium-portable

[Rekusu]

Thanks for the link, will have a look.

I am probably incorrectly, going to assume that as with most 'no longer supported' (W& for example) software, it will still work just fine but with no chance to install the latest.

Alternatively, I may have to drop FF in favour of another browser, which is possible, but as JoeyTribiani (Friends) says, 'Joey doesn't like change!' Nor does Rex!

Reading some stuff about r3dfox and somewhat confused by the techie language. Do you know if it allows all the normal FF themes and add-ons? I kinda assume yes, as the developers says he is trying to keep it as close to FF as possible, but what do I know.

Perhaps it is time for a full Acronis copy of my current installation, then give it a try.

[Midknyte]

I haven't done thorough testing of r3dfox, so you'd have to test your themes and addons. As I mentioned, there is a portable version also (just extract and run, no installation required).

[Rekusu]

Thanks; always forget that Portable does not install any files but runs from a stick.

[fink]

Firefox is extending support of it's 115 ESR series browser at least until March 2025

https://www.ghacks.net/2024/09/09/mo...macos-devices/

[Rekusu]

Thank, so I do have a while longer. As with MD not supporting oder OS (in my case W7) but it all works just fine as is, can I assume that FF115ESR will also continue to work, just not receive the various updates?

[fink]

It will continue to be updated with new versions for at least six months.

[Rekusu]

Thanks. Have just installed r3dfox and without all the add-ons and bookmarks, the current version (129ESR) does appear to be faster than my FF115ESR.

Will play around with it but it does seem promising.

[druggas1954]

I hate change too, but you can make win10 look like win7 and it's easy to learn.

[Rekusu]

Thanks. I don't know one end of a byte from the other, but can I install W10 on an aging Dell desktop that was originally designed for XP? At the time, all the blurb informed that I could only install 4 gb RAM. But I have subsequently upgraded to W7 and have 8gb RAM installed, so don't know if it would run W10.

Actually, I am still happy with W7.

[jdc2000]

If your Dell has the capability to address 8 GB of RAM, then it should work OK with the 64 bit version of Windows 10.

[Midknyte]

Unfortunately, I think the free upgrade/activation from W7 to W10 is over.

https://devicepartner.microsoft.com/...s-7-8-upgrade?

Windows Ends Installation Path for Free Windows 7/8 Upgrade

Created Date: 2023-09-20 | Last Modified: 2023-09-20

Applies To: Publicly Available

Microsoft's free upgrade offer for Windows 10 / 11 ended July 29, 2016. The installation path to obtain the Windows 7 / 8 free upgrade is now removed as well. Upgrades to Windows 11 from Windows 10 are still free.

[Rekusu]

My original post was not intended to move on from the title but ....

Yes, the free WD10 upgarde is over; however, at the time, i did download onto a thumbdrive so assume that I can still install from that.

Which brings me to me question. I have three HDD in the computer and always feel uncomfortable doing something major in case I loose data, etc. If I unplug the three HDD and install a spare HDD as disk 1, presumably, I can then install W10 to that drive? If it all works, I can then plug in the other two data drives? (without any issues?)

Of course, I do have an image of my current C: partition but would not be using the drive.

The only problem that I have had in the past, is that my current disk 1 has five partitions and in the past Windows like to rename the drive letters. The other two HDD are for data and a spare image backup.

[jdc2000]

You can install Windows without a problem. If you do not have a current Windows 10 license key, you will need one if you want to activate it. See the link below for more information. You may still be able to use Windows 10.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/is-you...you-even-care/

When installing Windows, I always make sure that only the drive where I want to install Windows is connected. That way, Microsoft does not attempt to install Windows the way they think it should work, but can only work with the drive where I want Windows to be installed. This prevents potential issues. After installation AND proper configuration (like disabling OneDrive, making sure that I use a local user account and not a Microsoft account, disabling BitLocker on Windows 11, etc.) I can then connect any other drives in the order that I want them assigned drive letters and get them set up.