Suggestions for Browser and Email Client for 64-bit Win 8.1

[lmacri]

Can anyone suggest a secure browser and email client for an acquaintance who has a "plain vanilla" 64-bit Windows 8.1 machine?

I am aware that Mozilla is ending support for the legacy FF ESR v115.x browser for Win 7 / Win 8.x in Sep 2025 and that FF ESR v115.27.0 (rel. 19-Aug-2025) will be the last FF browser released by Mozilla for these older OSs.  I recommended they try r3dfox (a fork of modern Firefox) or Supermium (a fork of modern Chrome) but would appreciate knowing if someone has another suggestion for a supported browser that still runs on a Win 8.1 OS.

I also recommended Thunderbird ESR for an email client, but I have no idea if Mozilla as made any similar announcements about dropping support for Thunderbird in the near future for Win 7 / Win 8.x OSs, or if there are other email clients that still support Win 8.1.
-----------
Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.6218 * Firefox v142.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.25070.5-1.1.25070.4 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.3.6.205-138.0.5346 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * MS Outlook 2019

Edited August 28 by lmacri
Revised from 32-bit to 64-bit Win 8.1

[NotHereToPlayGames]

These work in 7 so therefore should also work in 8.1  --  https://github.com/e3kskoy7wqk/Chromium-for-windows-7

[superleiw]

Mozilla extended ESR v115 for 6 more months. Further extensions are also possible.

https://msfn.org/board/topic/181987-list-of-software-that-doesnt-support-windows-7/page/34/#findComment-1281886

 

Edited September 5 by superleiw

[Karla Sleutel]

Just like Supermium, others have a huge memory leak and crashes, so I tested this one, no leak! Most likely due to the 32bit nature.

https://github.com/e3kskoy7wqk/Chromium-for-windows-7/releases/tag/136.0.7063.0

More info about the leak.

https://github.com/win32ss/supermium/issues/1566

[lmacri]

Thanks to everyone for their browser suggestions.

As superliew noted <above>, Mozilla has given Firefox ESR v115.x (the legacy version for Win 7 and 8.1) another last-minute reprieve and decided to extend support for this browser until March 2026 (see the official Firefox ESR release calendar at https://whattrainisitnow.com/release/?version=esr) so I'll be recommending my acquaintance stay with Firefox ESR v115.x, assuming uBlock Origin and other popular browser extensions continue to work with the FF v115.x branch for the next 6 months.

Unfortunately, I haven’t seen any similar announcements about an extension for Mozilla’s Thunderbird ESR v115.x mail client for Win 7 and 8.1.  AFAIK Thunderbird ESR v115.18.0 (rel. 24-Dec-2024) is still the final release for Thunderbird ESR 115.
---------------
Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.6218 * Firefox v142.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.25070.5-1.1.25070.4 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.3.8.212-140.0.5364 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * MS Outlook 2019

Edited September 9 by lmacri

[EliraFriesnan]

On 9/9/2025 at 2:23 AM, lmacri said:

Mozilla has given Firefox ESR v115.x (the legacy version for Win 7 and 8.1) another last-minute reprieve and decided to extend support for this browser until March 2026

This won't make the several years old browser engine new. So what of it? 

[NotHereToPlayGames]

1 hour ago, EliraFriesnan said:

So what of it? 

You do not fully understand the intent behind such things as ESR (and LTSB/LTSC).

That said, many home-based consumers that use corporate-based products for non-corporate use may very likely also not fully understand the underlying intent.

Personally, to me, in my opinion, yadda yadda yadda, ANY product that is EXTENDED is GREAT NEWS for the CONSUMER.

[EliraFriesnan]

How do you know what I not fully understand? D.Draker was clairvoyant, you, no.

No matter the intent, on such old version, many sites will not open, simple.