Firefox 145 drops support for 32-bit Linux, marking the end of an era

Firefox 145 has arrived, and it brings several updates that should matter to regular users. This version focuses on privacy, convenience, and some interface polish. There is also one change that will affect a small but vocal group: Firefox has officially ended support for 32-bit Linux systems.

One of the standout updates is the new ability to add comments directly to PDFs. You can leave notes, questions, or reminders and then view them all in a new sidebar. If you often read manuals, school materials, or work documents in your browser, this is surprisingly useful. It keeps you from having to use a separate PDF program, which feels efficient and tidy.

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Privacy also sees improvement. Mozilla has been researching how to reduce browser fingerprinting, which is how websites identify you based on technical signals, even without cookies. Firefox now reduces the uniqueness of users who browse privately or use Enhanced Tracking Protection on Strict. This change does not call attention to itself, but it matters for people who prefer not to be followed around the web.

Firefox also made tab groups easier. When you hover over a tab group name, you now see a preview of what is inside without opening anything. This is a simple quality-of-life improvement that can help keep things organized.

Password management is now available directly in the sidebar. You do not need to open a separate settings window to view your saved logins. Small change, but most people appreciate fewer steps.

SEE ALSO: Firefox commits to keeping Windows 10 users safe after Microsoft pulls the plug

There are also updates to how the browser handles links opened from other apps. Instead of adding new tabs all the way at the end, Firefox can now open them right next to the tab you are already using. Anyone with a crowded tab bar will probably like this one.

Now, the part that will disappoint some users: 32-bit Linux support is gone. Anyone still running a 32-bit distribution will need to switch to 64-bit to keep receiving updates. Most modern Linux users have already moved on, but there are older machines and lightweight systems still out there. For them, this will feel like the end of an era.

Other polish includes slightly rounder horizontal tabs, updated buttons and text fields, improved translation behavior, and new wallpapers for the New Tab page. Media playback also improves, with Matroska container support for popular codecs.

Overall, Firefox 145 keeps the browser modern without trying to turn it into an advertising platform. It is still trying to treat the user as the customer, not the product. That remains the biggest difference compared to its competitors.

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Brian Fagioli โœ”

Technology journalist and founder of NERDS.xyz

Brian Fagioli is a technology journalist and founder of NERDS.xyz. A former BetaNews writer, he has spent over a decade covering Linux, hardware, software, cybersecurity, and AI with a no nonsense approach for real nerds.

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