Firefox on Windows 98 and Windows 95: Last Versions and What to Do in 2026
Can you run firefox on windows 98 or Windows 95? Back in 2006, several of my friends still used Windows 95 and wanted Firefox, so I looked into it. This article covers which Firefox versions supported these old systems, how people got Firefox working on Windows 95, and what you should do with an old Windows 95 or 98 PC in 2026.
Quick answer: Firefox 2.0.0.20 was the last version that ran on an unmodified Windows 98 or Windows Me, and Firefox 1.5 was the last to support Windows 95. Current Firefox needs Windows 10 or later. These old browsers get no security updates, so don’t use them on the open internet; upgrade the PC or install a lightweight modern system instead.
Table of Contents
Firefox on Windows 98 and 95 in 2006
Firefox was gaining popularity quickly in 2006, but many people still used Windows 95 even though Microsoft no longer supported it. The official Firefox system requirements at the time asked for at least Windows 98.
A Spread Firefox article pointed me to a guide by John Haller showing how to run Firefox on Windows 95 and the original release of Windows 98. It said that, despite installer problems, Firefox actually worked well under Windows 95, and that much of the advice also applied to Thunderbird and other Mozilla programs.
The guide gave step-by-step instructions, including:
- Updating the Windows Common Controls library.
- Applying the Winsock 2 update for Windows 95.
- Applying Microsoft’s library updates for Windows 95 or Windows 98.
- Downloading the standard Firefox installer.
- Fixing a mouse scroll wheel that didn’t work in Firefox even though it worked elsewhere.
- Uninstalling Firefox by hand, because the uninstaller didn’t work on Windows 95.
Even then, my advice was to upgrade Windows to enjoy all of Firefox’s features, since a newer system was faster and more secure.
Last Firefox versions for Windows 95, 98 and Me
- Windows 95: Firefox 1.5 was the last version to support it.
- Windows 98 and Windows Me: Firefox 2.0.0.20 was the last version to run on an unmodified installation.
- Firefox 2 support ended on 18 December 2008.
- Firefox today: according to the official Firefox system requirements, the current release needs Windows 10 or later.
Should you run Firefox on Windows 98 in 2026?
For browsing the web, no. Browsers from 2006-2008 can’t open most modern secure websites properly and haven’t had security fixes for many years. Windows 95 and 98 themselves are also long unsupported. Using them online puts your data at risk.
Old Firefox versions on old Windows still have uses offline, for example for retro computing, testing old web pages or running legacy software. Keep such a machine disconnected from the internet, or run Windows 98 inside a virtual machine such as VirtualBox on a modern computer.
Better options for an old PC
- Upgrade the hardware: more RAM and an SSD can make an older PC usable with a modern system. See my DIY guide to upgrading an old desktop PC.
- Install a lightweight Linux system: many lightweight Linux distributions run on older hardware and include a current Firefox.
- Use a supported Windows version: if the PC can run Windows 10 or 11, you can install the latest Firefox from the official site.
- Replace it: very old Windows 95/98 hardware is usually better kept as a retro machine and replaced for everyday browsing.
Curious how Firefox looked back then? Read my first experiences with Firefox 2.
FAQ
What is the last Firefox for Windows 98?
Firefox 2.0.0.20 was the last version that ran on an unmodified Windows 98 or Windows Me.
What is the last Firefox for Windows 95?
Firefox 1.5 was the last version to support Windows 95.
Can I browse the web safely with Windows 98?
No. Neither Windows 98 nor its old browsers get security updates, and most modern sites won’t load properly.
What Windows version does Firefox need now?
The current Firefox release requires Windows 10 or later.
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