Firefox 53 Will Drop Support for Windows XP and Vista

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  1. Posts : 427
    Windows 7/64 HPremium.
       #10

    Thanks Brink for that heads up, passed on to UK MicroMart magazine forumites, one or possibly two still running machines with XP.

    Thanks also to LMiller for a clear and comprehensive explanation of the reasons for FF to take this step.
    Last edited by Bertison; 03 Oct 2016 at 07:01. Reason: Spelling!
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  2. Posts : 1,167
    W10 32 bit, XUbuntu 18.xx 64 bit
       #11

    LMiller7 said:
    It had to happen sooner or later.

    Each new OS includes technology not found in earlier systems. Developers like to use this technology because it can make their work easier and makes a better product for their users. Maintaining support for older operating systems that lack these features is a burden for the developers. Initially the burden is usually small but with each new OS and upgrade to the application this burden becomes heavier. At some point the decision is made that the costs are too great and support for the older OS is dropped.

    When Microsoft drops support for an OS this serves as a sign to application developers they should consider doing the same. If the OS is popular, as is XP, then support may be maintained longer. With less popular operating systems, such as Vista, it may be dropped sooner.

    Internally Vista and Windows 7 are very similar but there are some differences that may be significant to an application. Generally only the developers would know. Don't expect to see this documented anywhere.

    And dropping support for an OS doesn't necessarily mean the application won't work with it. It does mean that it hasn't been tested with the OS, at least not fully, and there may be issues, maybe minor, maybe major. It may work for a time but even a minor update to the application could break compatibility. As the OS is no longer supported this would likely be undocumented.
    I am actually surprised Firefox did that at least for the Vista part. There could be a way around it if you know how to compile windows firefox executable on a Linux system. I won't be able to recommend a Linux system that compiles windows correctly. I am sure there is one but I had trouble compiling source code software programs for Linux itself. You can compile on a windows system as well but I read it harder then using a Linux system.
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  3. Posts : 2,047
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-BIT
       #12

    Jody Thornton said:
    RoasterMen said:
    Should've been done last year.
    You won't say that when Windows 7 gets this same treatment :). Besides, Vista should have still received support until April 2017 (it sort of is with the ESR v52), but is Vista that different under the hood from Windows 7?
    :)

    EDIT: Actually I notice you're running Windows 10, so maybe it won't bother you :)
    I'm already on Windows 10 now. I will not regret saying that if that happens :)
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