Mozilla has introduced that Firefox 144 would be the final launch to assist 32-bit x86 Linux. It’s one other nail within the coffin for previous 32-bit PCs, although Firefox’s Prolonged Assist Launch will preserve them alive till September 2026.
Almost all trendy desktop computer systems and servers utilizing an x86 processor are utilizing the fashionable 64-bit structure (also known as ‘AMD64’), beginning with AMD’s Opteron chips in 2003 and turning into extra widespread all through the 2010s. Many working programs and purposes have already dropped 32-bit x86 assist, together with Ubuntu, Home windows 11, macOS, and Fedora. Debian was one of many final main holdouts, however the newest Trixie launch put an finish to that.
Now, Mozilla is getting ready to make the identical transfer. The corporate mentioned in a weblog publish, “Mozilla has continued to supply Firefox for 32-bit Linux programs lengthy after most different browsers and working programs ended assist. We made this selection as a result of we care deeply about protecting Firefox obtainable to as many individuals as potential, serving to our customers prolong the lifetime of their {hardware} and scale back pointless obsolescence. At this time, nonetheless, 32-bit Linux is now not extensively supported by the overwhelming majority of Linux distributions, and sustaining Firefox on this platform has change into more and more troublesome and unreliable.”
Firefox 144, due to be released on October 14, 2025, would be the last model for 32-bit Linux. Firefox 145, scheduled for November 11, 2025, would require a 64-bit Linux distribution. You possibly can examine in case your PC is affected by operating uname -m in a Terminal—for those who see i386 or i686, you’re on a 32-bit x86 CPU.
The excellent news is that Firefox Extended Support Release will stay obtainable for 32-bit Linux distributions with model 140, and Mozilla is promising safety updates on that model till not less than September 2026. Firefox ESR is already the final supported option for Home windows 7, Home windows 8/8.1, and macOS 10.12–10.14, however these working programs are caught on model 115.
It’s not clear if there will likely be every other choices for an internet browser on 32-bit Linux after Mozilla lastly ends assist. Google Chrome stopped supporting 32-bit Linux in 2016, however the open-source Chromium challenge nonetheless works for the second—Debian’s software program repository has up-to-date i386 packages, for instance. GNOME Net or KDE Konqueror could be different viable choices, relying on how lengthy their underlying WebKit engine helps 32-bit platforms.
In case you have a 32-bit PC, you’re operating out of actively-supported working programs and internet browsers, and unsupported software program might open you as much as safety vulnerabilities. All good issues should come to an finish, sadly.
Supply: Mozilla
