As of Firefox 53 in March 2017, WinXP and Vista won't be supported any longer. http://www.ghacks.net/2016/09/27/firefox-53-no-support-for-windows-xp-or-vista/

You can install the Firefox ESR 52 version which will get security updates into early 2018, to get "more time" using Firefox.

As far as Netscape webmail, the basic email functionality probably doesn't need any NPAPI plugins, but advertisements may require a plugin to work.

As far as Facebook games, the Flash-based games should continue to work, but as to "how well" they continue to work in WinXP ... "only time will tell". Adobe may stop providing updates for Flash which are compatible with WinXP [and maybe even Vista]; and if that happens the last available version of Flash may get block-listed due to being vulnerable to exploit.

WinXP has been on "life support" for 2 1/2 years now since Microsoft made it EOL; major web browsers have stopped supporting it recently, with Firefox being the last major web browsers to continue to support it; "the handwriting is on the wall", and new PC or switch to a basic Linux OS that will support that old hardware.

What is ESR 52? How do I get it?

Hi Elaine, "ESR" means Extended Support Release. It is a version of Firefox that gets security updates but doesn't get new features until the next major update.

The current ESR release is based on Firefox 45. The release based on Firefox 52 won't be out until next Spring.

For now, you don't need to do anything. However, if you want to start using the current ESR release, you can find an installer on the following page (scroll down to your preferred language):

https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/organizations/all/

I clicked the link & it says large organizations. Will that work on my desktop? Also, would I delete the Firefox I have now? And, would I download the first one? The others are for 64 bits, mine's 32. Why do this now? Why is 53 in March, but ESR52 is next spring? What's the difference between the two? What features wouldn't I get? And, since Firefox updates automatically, how do I stop that? Are there any other browsers that support XP? I don't care about advertising in Netscape, I have adblock on.

elainemacko said

I clicked the link & it says large organizations. Will that work on my desktop? Also, would I delete the Firefox I have now? And, would I download the first one? The others are for 64 bits, mine's 32. Why do this now? Why is 53 in March, but ESR52 is next spring? What's the difference between the two? What features wouldn't I get? And, since Firefox updates automatically, how do I stop that? Are there any other browsers that support XP? I don't care about advertising in Netscape, I have adblock on.

The ESR channel builds was originally made for organizations in mind that did not want to deal with the rapid Release and have a version for longer term. The past ESR major versions were 10.0, 17.0, 24.0, 31.0, 38.0 and now 45.0. They are safe to use by regular Firefox users.

The 64-bit (Win64) will only run on 64-bit Windows 7, 8 (8.1), 10. All other Windows users including WinXP use the 32-bit Firefox for Windows which is the first row.

I believe when Firefox 53.0 is released the WinXP and Vista users will be offered the Firefox 52 ESR.

Firefox 52.0 ESR will be based on Firefox 52.0 Release and the updates will have no new features and only with allowed security and stability updates. A version on ESR channel generally gets eight updates so 52.8.0esr will be out when Firefox 60.0 is released. Firefox 58.0 (52.6.0esr) for example is not scheduled until 2018 so it will be a while.

Firefox 45.0 ESR was based on Firefox 45.0 Release and 45.8.0esr will be out when Firefox 53.0 is released.

Since Firefox 53.0 and later Releases will not support WinXP and Vista, the next future Firefox 59.0 ESR will not work on WinXP and Vista.

A Firefox ESR version will not update to a Release version as they are seperate channels so no worries there in updates.

Chrome dropped support for WinXP, Vista, Mac OSX 10.6, 10.7, 10.8 as of version 50 back in April and Opera dropped WinXP and Vista as of version 36.

The link with the ESR download does not say 32 bit, all it says is Windows & it's first in the download row. Is that what you meant? What is 45.8 Oesr? Or was that a typo? I now know the current is 45.0 ESR. Will it auto update to 45.8 ESR? When, 52.0 comes out, can I keep this & turn off updates? When exactly should I load 45.0? Can I load & then delete my current Firefox browser or do I have to delete the one I have to load 45.0?

Hi Elaine, no need to stress.

Mozilla is planning to switch XP users to 52 ESR automatically when the time comes. As I said before, you do not need to do anything now.

The regular Windows release is the standard release for all Windows systems. The 64-bit release is an optional alternative that some users want for their 64-bit systems. Please ignore the 64-bit release as you cannot use it anyway.

IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE RELEASES NOW AND HAVE ANOTHER 5-10 MINUTES:

The current full version number for the ESR release is 45.5.1esr. I suggest using this method to install it:

Clean (re)Install ESR on XP

We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean (no inconsistent or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. You do not need to uninstall Firefox first.

It only takes a few minutes.

(A) Download a fresh installer for Firefox ESR from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/organizations/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.) Choose the "Windows" version (32-bit) rather than the 64-bit version.

(B) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).

(C) Using Windows Explorer/My Computer, rename the program folder as follows:

Current name: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox

to

New name: C:\Program Files\OldFirefox

(D) Run the installer you downloaded in step (A). It should automatically connect to your existing settings.

Note: Some plugins may exist only in that OldFirefox folder. If something essential is missing as you browse around, look in these folders or feel free to ask about it:

• \OldFirefox\Plugins
• \OldFirefox\browser\plugins

I found the program folder & how to rename it. Found the installer. Nothing says 32 bit, but I'm assuming the one that says only "Windows" is 32 because the one next to it says 64 bit. I know that's 45ESR. Will it continue to auto update by its self? I know 2018 is a way off, but will I be informed of when XP will no longer work? Or do I guess? I'm not a newbie, but not advanced, either. I had to look up where to find Window Explorer & search to find the program file, then I had to find how to rename it. WHEW! The flash & shockwave plug ins are in Old Firefox, right? I have Java which asks permission to use & coupon inc. printer plug ins, too. I have Adobe reader, but it's blocked,but it still works. I have to use a lower version of reader. Widows media player, also. WHEW, again! Is there anything else I should know? I;ll do all this much later. Thanks for the help.

elainemacko said

I found the program folder & how to rename it. Found the installer. Nothing says 32 bit, but I'm assuming the one that says only "Windows" is 32 because the one next to it says 64 bit. I know that's 45ESR. Will it continue to auto update by its self?

Yes and Yes.

I know 2018 is a way off, but will I be informed of when XP will no longer work? Or do I guess?

None of us knows at this point what 2018 will bring. Please ask again in 12 months.

The flash & shockwave plug ins are in Old Firefox, right? I have Java which asks permission to use & coupon inc. printer plug ins, too. I have Adobe reader, but it's blocked,but it still works. I have to use a lower version of reader. Widows media player, also.

After installing Firefox 45 ESR, check the Add-ons page* to see what plugins Firefox discovered. Most plugins are not in the OldFirefox folder, mostly ones that haven't been updated for over three years.

You can update your Adobe Reader to the XI (11) series for better security. It's a two step process:

(1) Install Adobe Reader 11.0.8 from either of these pages:

• https://get.adobe.com/reader/
• https://get.adobe.com/reader/enterprise/

(2) After the installation is complete, start Adobe Reader and use the Help menu to Check for Updates. That should install the latest security patch, 11.0.18, which was released in October.

If Check for Updates doesn't work, you can grab the updater from this page:

http://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/ReleaseNotes/11/11.0.18.html

After that, Firefox should start using the 11.0.18 version of the plugin and let you activate it easily.

* For quick reference, that's either:

• Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
• "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Plugins. On the right side, check for your important plugins. All present and accounted for?

elainemacko said

The link with the ESR download does not say 32 bit, all it says is Windows & it's first in the download row. Is that what you meant? What is 45.8 Oesr? Or was that a typo? I now know the current is 45.0 ESR. Will it auto update to 45.8 ESR? When, 52.0 comes out, can I keep this & turn off updates?

Not a typo with the 45.8.0 esr. The ESR versions have the second number increase for the major updates in line with the major Firefox version Releases. When you install the then Firefox 52.X.x esr you should not turn off updates.

Maybe this will help you grasp the versions.

45.0 46.0 = 45.1.0 esr 47.0 = 45.2.0 esr 48.0 = 45.3.0 esr 49.0 = 45.4.0 esr 50.0 = 45.5.0 esr (current Releases is 50.0.2 and 45.5.1 esr) 51.0 = 45.6.0 esr 52.0 = 45.7.0 esr 53.0 = 45.8.0 esr

52.0 53.0 = 52.1.0 esr 54.0 = 52.2.0 esr 55.0 = 52.3.0 esr 56.0 = 52.4.0 esr 57.0 = 52.5.0 esr 58.0 = 52.6.0 esr 59.0 = 52.7.0 esr 60.0 = 52.8.0 esr