# Firefox Extended Support Release

> version of Mozilla Firefox for enterprise

**Wikidata**: [Q121675936](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q121675936)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/firefox-extended-support-release

## Summary
Firefox Extended Support Release (Firefox ESR) is a version of Mozilla Firefox specifically designed for enterprise use, offering extended support periods and stability features tailored to business environments. It's part of Mozilla's commitment to providing free software solutions that can be freely run, studied, changed, and distributed by users.

## Key Facts
- Firefox Extended Support Release is an enterprise-oriented version of Mozilla Firefox
- It is developed by Mozilla Corporation, an American software company founded in 2005
- The software is classified as free software, allowing users to run, study, modify, and distribute it
- It runs on multiple operating systems including Linux, Microsoft Windows, and macOS
- Firefox ESR has official package names across various platforms including firefox-esr for Linux distributions and FirefoxESR for Chocolatey
- It has the man page "firefox-esr.1" in Unix-like systems
- The official name is "Firefox Extended Support Release" as referenced on mozilla.org

## FAQs
### Q: What is the difference between regular Firefox and Firefox ESR?
A: Firefox Extended Support Release is designed for enterprise environments, featuring longer support cycles and stability updates without the rapid release cycle of standard Firefox. This makes it more suitable for organizations requiring consistent, predictable updates.

### Q: How long is the support cycle for Firefox ESR?
A: While the source material doesn't specify the exact duration, Firefox ESR typically receives security updates and stability patches for a longer period than regular Firefox releases, which is why it's favored by enterprise environments.

### Q: Can individuals use Firefox ESR instead of regular Firefox?
A: Yes, individuals can use Firefox ESR, though most home users may prefer the more feature-rich regular Firefox version that receives new features more frequently. Firefox ESR is primarily optimized for stability and longer-term support.

### Q: Which operating systems support Firefox ESR?
A: Firefox ESR runs on Linux, Microsoft Windows, and macOS operating systems, with official package support available through various package managers for different Linux distributions.

## Why It Matters
Firefox Extended Support Release addresses a critical need in the enterprise software market by providing a stable, secure, and well-supported browser option for organizations. In environments where compatibility and predictable update cycles are paramount, Firefox ESR offers the benefits of Mozilla's open-source browser with the extended support business users require. This allows enterprises to maintain security standards and compatibility with legacy systems without the disruption of frequent feature updates. As part of Mozilla's free software ecosystem, it also provides businesses with the freedom to modify and distribute the browser according to their needs, reducing vendor lock-in and fostering long-term digital sovereignty.

## Notable For
- Enterprise-oriented design with extended support periods compared to standard Firefox
- Comprehensive package availability across major operating systems and package managers
- Classified as free software, allowing organizations to modify and redistribute it
- Developed by Mozilla Corporation, a major player in the open-source software community
- Maintains compatibility across Linux, Windows, and macOS platforms

## Body
### General Information
Firefox Extended Support Release (Firefox ESR) is a specialized version of Mozilla Firefox designed to meet the needs of enterprise environments. It represents Mozilla's commitment to providing free software solutions for business use, with features that prioritize stability, security, and longer-term support.

### Development and Classification
The software is developed by Mozilla Corporation, an American software company founded in September 2005 with headquarters in San Francisco. Firefox ESR falls under the classification of free software, which means users have the freedom to run, study, change, and distribute the software and modified versions.

### Platform Support
Firefox ESR is designed to run across multiple operating systems:
- Linux: With package support available through sources like www/firefox-esr
- Microsoft Windows: Compatible with this major desktop operating system
- macOS: Supported on Apple's computer operating system

The availability across these platforms ensures that enterprise users can maintain a consistent browsing experience regardless of their preferred operating system.

### Package and Distribution Information
Firefox ESR is distributed through various package management systems:
- FreeBSD: Available as www/firefox-esr
- OpenBSD: Available as www/firefox-esr
- openSUSE: Available as firefox-esr
- NetBSD: Available as www/firefox-esr
- Debian: Available as both firefox-esr source package and firefox-esr stable package
- Chocolatey community: Available as FirefoxESR
- AlternativeTo: Listed under firefox-ers

This comprehensive package support makes Firefox ESR easily accessible to enterprise IT departments using different operating systems and package management solutions.

### Technical Documentation
The software has dedicated technical documentation, including a man page specifically for Firefox ESR (firefox-esr.1), which provides command-line reference information for technical users and system administrators.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Firefox Extended Support Release",
  "description": "A version of Mozilla Firefox designed for enterprise use with extended support periods.",
  "url": "https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/enterprise/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q698"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Web Browser",
  "creator": "Mozilla Corporation",
  "operatingSystem": ["Linux", "Microsoft Windows", "macOS"]
}

## References

1. [Source](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/enterprise/)