See this KB article - How can I get the latest version of Firefox on Windows XP or Vista?

Since you are using Windows XP and possibly SP2, you are offered 43.0.1 instead of 44.0 for reasons of limitations to the installation program. Please read How can I get the latest version of Firefox on Windows XP or Vista? for more information.

mstower said

Please (for general benefit) fix the link.

Nothing to fix when it is not broken.

Many WinXP users can still be using SP2 and not SP3 for various reasons. As of Firefox 43.0.2 and newer one needs SP3 in order to run the Firefox setups due to signing.

Which would you rather Mozilla serve, a version WinXP users can still install and update to current from or a setup version that many WinXP users cannot install Firefox with.

Unfortunately while the useragent shows NT 5.1 for Widows XP, it does not show whether the user has SP2 or SP3 installed.

First of all, for context, I am using this machine on an emergency and interim basis, due to a HDD failure. Profound apologies if this does not suit you. It is SP3, thanks.

Second, I became aware of the update to 44.0 through the usual Firefox self-updating, so I had no reason to suppose that there would be any problem due to the OS.

Third, for various reasons, I prefer to have the installation file proper, whatever the automatic update may have done.

I suggest consideration of the semantics of “offer”. A dictionary may help with this. I was not “offered” 43.0.1, I was given it, with no explanation, via a link which I had every reason to suppose would deliver 44.0.

As it is, my attempt to flag (for the general good) an apparent problem has elicited a display of what has in the past turned more people than me off Firefox.

From what I've gathered, the mozilla.org/firefox and mozilla.org/firefox/all download pages give 43.0.1 to all Windows XP and Vista users, for reasons explained in the article How can I get the latest version of Firefox on Windows XP or Vista? (see the article's Discussion area for reference links).

If you have Windows XP SP3 then you should be able to download Firefox version 44 for your language here: https://download-installer.cdn.mozilla.net/pub/firefox/releases/44.0/win32/

Or here: https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/44.0/win32/

As in OP, I found it at the ftp site. Thanks for the other link.

My point is that it’s disconcerting when something like this happens cryptically, with no explanation. It looks like an error—and a look at the system requirements would do little to dispel this impression:

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/44.0/system-requirements/

Windows XP SP2, it says (at time of posting this).

mstower said

As in OP, I found it at the ftp site. Thanks for the other link. My point is that it’s disconcerting when something like this happens cryptically, with no explanation. It looks like an error—and a look at the system requirements would do little to dispel this impression: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/44.0/system-requirements/ Windows XP SP2, it says (at time of posting this).

I agree it's a problem. The best I can do, as a volunteer contributor, is to make a revision to the How can I get the latest version of Firefox on Windows XP or Vista? article to add a note for Windows XP SP3 and up-to-date Vista users.

I can also escalate your question to the Help Desk for review by a Mozilla employee.

P.S. (To the Help Desk) Related bug report: Bug 1243368 - manual download page for Firefox 44 gives Firefox 43.0.1 instead

To others reading, see Bugzilla etiquette before commenting in bug reports.