Mozilla Firefox 145 Beta Drops 32-bit Linux Support
Mozilla Firefox 145 Beta Drops 32-bit Linux Support
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Mozilla Firefox 145 Beta Drops 32-bit Linux Support
Mozilla has officially released Firefox 145 Beta, marking a significant shift in the browser’s platform support strategy.
The most notable change in this release is the discontinuation of support for 32-bit Linux systems, bringing an end to nearly two decades of compatibility with this architecture.
The End of an Era
Mozilla had previously announced that Firefox 144 would be the final mainline version supporting 32-bit Linux operating systems, with Firefox 140 ESR being the last extended support release for this platform. With the launch of Firefox 145 Beta, the company has now followed through on this plan, no longer providing builds for 32-bit Linux users.
Firefox 144 is scheduled for release on October 14, 2025, which coincidentally aligns with Windows 10’s end of life date. After this date, Firefox 145 and all subsequent versions will be 64-bit only for Linux systems.
For users still running 32-bit Linux systems, Mozilla recommends upgrading to the 64-bit version of Firefox to continue receiving browser updates and security patches. Users who cannot immediately transition can continue using Firefox ESR 140, which will receive security updates until at least September 2026.
What’s New in Firefox 145 Beta
Beyond the platform support changes, Firefox 145 Beta includes several noteworthy improvements:
- Refined tab design: Horizontal tabs now feature slightly adjusted rounded corners
- Enhanced JavaScript capabilities: Additional JavaScript functions have been added
- Matroska (MKV) codec support: The most anticipated feature in this release is full support for mainstream Matroska format codecs, including AVC, HEVC, VP8, VP9, AV1, AAC, Opus, and Vorbis
While these updates represent meaningful progress, the overall feature set in Firefox 145 Beta is relatively modest compared to the significant architectural shift away from 32-bit support.
Alternative Browsers Still Supporting 32-bit Linux
For users running legacy 32-bit Linux systems who need browser options beyond Firefox ESR 140, several alternatives remain available:
1. Pale Moon
Pale Moon is a Mozilla-based browser that has been a favorite among users of lightweight Linux distributions. While Pale Moon discontinued official 32-bit Linux binaries with version 28.16.0 after CentOS 6 reached end-of-life, community builds may still be available through some Linux distribution package maintainers.
2. SeaMonkey
SeaMonkey 2.53.21 was the last release with official 32-bit support for both Windows and Linux, with version 2.53.22 Beta dropping support for x86 binaries. SeaMonkey is more than just a browser—it’s an all-in-one Internet suite that includes a web browser, email client, address book, IRC chat client, and HTML editor. For users still on version 2.53.21, this remains a viable option for 32-bit systems.
3. Community-Built Versions
Some community members continue to compile 32-bit versions of various browsers, though these builds are increasingly rare and may not receive official support. Users should exercise caution when downloading and using unofficial browser builds.
Industry Context
Mozilla’s decision marks the departure of the last major open source browser to support 32-bit Linux, underscoring the ecosystem’s definitive transition to 64-bit computing. This move follows similar actions by other major browser vendors—Google Chrome discontinued 32-bit Linux support back in 2016, nearly a decade earlier.
According to Mozilla’s data from August 2025, only 8.689% of Firefox users have 32-bit computers, though the exact proportion of Linux users within that percentage remains unclear. The declining user base and increasing technical challenges in maintaining 32-bit builds have made this transition inevitable.
What Should Users Do?
For those affected by this change:
- Check your system architecture: Verify whether your computer actually has a 32-bit-only processor or if it can support 64-bit operating systems
- Consider upgrading: If your hardware supports 64-bit, upgrading to a 64-bit Linux distribution and Firefox is the recommended path
- Use Firefox ESR 140: This version will continue receiving security updates until September 2026, providing a secure transition period
- Explore alternatives: Consider browsers like SeaMonkey 2.53.21 or community-maintained builds if ESR support is insufficient
Download and More Information
Users interested in testing Firefox 145 Beta can download it from Mozilla’s FTP server
Mozilla encourages all affected users to complete their version migration promptly to ensure continuous browsing security and functionality. While the end of 32-bit support may be inconvenient for some users, it represents a necessary step in the browser’s evolution toward modern computing standards and improved performance optimization.
Note: As browser support for 32-bit Linux continues to diminish, users of legacy systems should begin planning their upgrade path or considering alternative computing solutions to maintain security and access to modern web features.
