WARNING FROM MICROSOFT
I'm getting warning emails (2 so far) that windows 8.1 will no longer be supported after I think the end of this year and that I should buy windows 11. Since I use firefox exclusively, does this warning affect me? I'm not very computer savvy and am not sure what is the relationship mozilla firefox to windows (I think it's microsoft windows). I guess this computer has windows 8.1 but I'm not sure. Also, awhile back, microsoft edge showed up on my laptop but I've never even opened it, not even sure what it is. Not sure exactly when but I bought this Asus laptop but it's been several years. Thank you very much for any instruction and/or advice you may be able to give me. Randy Boone. [removed email + phone# from public]
Modified by James
All Replies (2)
Hi Randy, Firefox will keep working on your computer even after Windows 8.1 reaches its "End of Life."
Microsoft Windows is the foundation of all programs that run on your computer. It provides your desktop and connects you to your internet service provider. Windows 8.1 will still run, but since you will no longer get updates for Windows, if a new security vulnerability is discovered, you would be exposed to potential exploits. For most of us, if we stay out of dark corners of the internet and view every email link and attachment with a very skeptical eye, we can avoid most dangers. But if you do not already use security software, you might want to start looking into it because it will help provide that extra layer of protection.
Microsoft is ending support for Windows 8.1 on January 10, 2023. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/windows-8-and-windows-8-1-end-of-support-and-office-34e28be4-1e4f-4928-b210-3f45d8215595
Even though Microsoft ended support for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020, it is still a minimum system requirement to run Firefox on Windows. https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/104.0/system-requirements/