diff --git a/.github/workflows/build.yml b/.github/workflows/build.yml
index fdca5d702..d062d7720 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build.yml
@@ -405,8 +405,8 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - uses: actions/setup-python@v5
-        with: # 3.8 is used for Win7 support
-          python-version: "3.8"
+        with:
+          python-version: "3.10"
       - name: Install Requirements
         run: | # Custom pyinstaller built with https://github.com/yt-dlp/pyinstaller-builds
           python devscripts/install_deps.py -o --include build
@@ -454,7 +454,7 @@ jobs:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         with:
-          python-version: "3.8"
+          python-version: "3.10"
           architecture: "x86"
       - name: Install Requirements
         run: |
@@ -529,20 +529,28 @@ jobs:
           lock 2023.11.16 (?!win_x86_exe).+ Python 3\.7
           lock 2023.11.16 win_x86_exe .+ Windows-(?:Vista|2008Server)
           lock 2024.10.22 py2exe .+
-          lock 2024.10.22 linux_(?:armv7l|aarch64)_exe .+ glibc 2\.(?:[12]?\d|30)\b
+          lock 2024.10.22 linux_(?:armv7l|aarch64)_exe .+-glibc2\.(?:[12]?\d|30)\b
+          lock 2024.10.22 (?!\w+_exe).+ Python 3\.8
+          lock 2024.10.22 win(?:_x86)?_exe Python 3\.[78].+ Windows-(?:7-|2008ServerR2)
           lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp 2022.08.18.36 .+ Python 3\.6
           lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp 2023.11.16 (?!win_x86_exe).+ Python 3\.7
           lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp 2023.11.16 win_x86_exe .+ Windows-(?:Vista|2008Server)
           lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp 2024.10.22 py2exe .+
-          lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp 2024.10.22 linux_(?:armv7l|aarch64)_exe .+ glibc 2\.(?:[12]?\d|30)\b
+          lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp 2024.10.22 linux_(?:armv7l|aarch64)_exe .+-glibc2\.(?:[12]?\d|30)\b
+          lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp 2024.10.22 (?!\w+_exe).+ Python 3\.8
+          lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp 2024.10.22 win(?:_x86)?_exe Python 3\.[78].+ Windows-(?:7-|2008ServerR2)
           lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds 2023.11.15.232826 (?!win_x86_exe).+ Python 3\.7
           lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds 2023.11.15.232826 win_x86_exe .+ Windows-(?:Vista|2008Server)
           lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds 2024.10.22.051025 py2exe .+
-          lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds 2024.10.22.051025 linux_(?:armv7l|aarch64)_exe .+ glibc 2\.(?:[12]?\d|30)\b
+          lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds 2024.10.22.051025 linux_(?:armv7l|aarch64)_exe .+-glibc2\.(?:[12]?\d|30)\b
+          lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds 2024.10.22.051025 (?!\w+_exe).+ Python 3\.8
+          lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds 2024.10.22.051025 win(?:_x86)?_exe Python 3\.[78].+ Windows-(?:7-|2008ServerR2)
           lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-master-builds 2023.11.15.232812 (?!win_x86_exe).+ Python 3\.7
           lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-master-builds 2023.11.15.232812 win_x86_exe .+ Windows-(?:Vista|2008Server)
           lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-master-builds 2024.10.22.045052 py2exe .+
-          lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-master-builds 2024.10.22.060347 linux_(?:armv7l|aarch64)_exe .+ glibc 2\.(?:[12]?\d|30)\b
+          lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-master-builds 2024.10.22.060347 linux_(?:armv7l|aarch64)_exe .+-glibc2\.(?:[12]?\d|30)\b
+          lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-master-builds 2024.10.22.060347 (?!\w+_exe).+ Python 3\.8
+          lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-master-builds 2024.10.22.060347 win(?:_x86)?_exe Python 3\.[78].+ Windows-(?:7-|2008ServerR2)
           EOF
 
       - name: Sign checksum files
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index f1646e595..fd7b0f121 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -37,14 +37,18 @@ # OPENING AN ISSUE
 **Please include the full output of yt-dlp when run with `-vU`**, i.e. **add** `-vU` flag to **your command line**, copy the **whole** output and post it in the issue body wrapped in \`\`\` for better formatting. It should look similar to this:
 ```
 $ yt-dlp -vU <your command line>
-[debug] Command-line config: ['-v', 'demo.com']
-[debug] Encodings: locale UTF-8, fs utf-8, out utf-8, pref UTF-8
-[debug] yt-dlp version 2021.09.25 (zip)
-[debug] Python version 3.8.10 (CPython 64bit) - Linux-5.4.0-74-generic-x86_64-with-glibc2.29
-[debug] exe versions: ffmpeg 4.2.4, ffprobe 4.2.4
+[debug] Command-line config: ['-vU', 'https://www.example.com/']
+[debug] Encodings: locale cp65001, fs utf-8, pref cp65001, out utf-8, error utf-8, screen utf-8
+[debug] yt-dlp version nightly@... from yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds [1a176d874] (win_exe)
+[debug] Python 3.10.11 (CPython AMD64 64bit) - Windows-10-10.0.20348-SP0 (OpenSSL 1.1.1t  7 Feb 2023)
+[debug] exe versions: ffmpeg 7.0.2 (setts), ffprobe 7.0.2
+[debug] Optional libraries: Cryptodome-3.21.0, brotli-1.1.0, certifi-2024.08.30, curl_cffi-0.5.10, mutagen-1.47.0, requests-2.32.3, sqlite3-3.40.1, urllib3-2.2.3, websockets-13.1
 [debug] Proxy map: {}
-Current Build Hash 25cc412d1d3c0725a1f2f5b7e4682f6fb40e6d15f7024e96f7afd572e9919535
-yt-dlp is up to date (2021.09.25)
+[debug] Request Handlers: urllib, requests, websockets, curl_cffi
+[debug] Loaded 1838 extractors
+[debug] Fetching release info: https://api.github.com/repos/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest
+Latest version: nightly@... from yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds
+yt-dlp is up to date (nightly@... from yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds)
 ...
 ```
 **Do not post screenshots of verbose logs; only plain text is acceptable.**
@@ -268,7 +272,7 @@ ## Adding support for a new site
 
     You can use `hatch fmt` to automatically fix problems. Rules that the linter/formatter enforces should not be disabled with `# noqa` unless a maintainer requests it. The only exception allowed is for old/printf-style string formatting in GraphQL query templates (use `# noqa: UP031`).
 
-1. Make sure your code works under all [Python](https://www.python.org/) versions supported by yt-dlp, namely CPython >=3.8 and PyPy >=3.10. Backward compatibility is not required for even older versions of Python.
+1. Make sure your code works under all [Python](https://www.python.org/) versions supported by yt-dlp, namely CPython >=3.9 and PyPy >=3.10. Backward compatibility is not required for even older versions of Python.
 1. When the tests pass, [add](https://git-scm.com/docs/git-add) the new files, [commit](https://git-scm.com/docs/git-commit) them and [push](https://git-scm.com/docs/git-push) the result, like this:
 
     ```shell
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 46fff07df..05b8e2b86 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -98,14 +98,14 @@ #### Recommended
 File|Description
 :---|:---
 [yt-dlp](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp)|Platform-independent [zipimport](https://docs.python.org/3/library/zipimport.html) binary. Needs Python (recommended for **Linux/BSD**)
-[yt-dlp.exe](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp.exe)|Windows (Win7 SP1+) standalone x64 binary (recommended for **Windows**)
+[yt-dlp.exe](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp.exe)|Windows (Win8+) standalone x64 binary (recommended for **Windows**)
 [yt-dlp_macos](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp_macos)|Universal MacOS (10.15+) standalone executable (recommended for **MacOS**)
 
 #### Alternatives
 
 File|Description
 :---|:---
-[yt-dlp_x86.exe](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp_x86.exe)|Windows (Win7 SP1+) standalone x86 (32-bit) binary
+[yt-dlp_x86.exe](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp_x86.exe)|Windows (Win8+) standalone x86 (32-bit) binary
 [yt-dlp_linux](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp_linux)|Linux standalone x64 binary
 [yt-dlp_linux_armv7l](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp_linux_armv7l)|Linux standalone armv7l (32-bit) binary
 [yt-dlp_linux_aarch64](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp_linux_aarch64)|Linux standalone aarch64 (64-bit) binary
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ # To install nightly with pip:
 ```
 
 ## DEPENDENCIES
-Python versions 3.8+ (CPython) and 3.10+ (PyPy) are supported. Other versions and implementations may or may not work correctly.
+Python versions 3.9+ (CPython) and 3.10+ (PyPy) are supported. Other versions and implementations may or may not work correctly.
 
 <!-- Python 3.5+ uses VC++14 and it is already embedded in the binary created
 <!x-- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26999 --x>
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ ### Standalone PyInstaller Builds
 **Important**: Running `pyinstaller` directly **instead of** using `python -m bundle.pyinstaller` is **not** officially supported. This may or may not work correctly.
 
 ### Platform-independent Binary (UNIX)
-You will need the build tools `python` (3.8+), `zip`, `make` (GNU), `pandoc`\* and `pytest`\*.
+You will need the build tools `python` (3.9+), `zip`, `make` (GNU), `pandoc`\* and `pytest`\*.
 
 After installing these, simply run `make`.
 
@@ -2200,7 +2200,7 @@ ### Differences in default behavior
 
 Some of yt-dlp's default options are different from that of youtube-dl and youtube-dlc:
 
-* yt-dlp supports only [Python 3.8+](## "Windows 7"), and will remove support for more versions as they [become EOL](https://devguide.python.org/versions/#python-release-cycle); while [youtube-dl still supports Python 2.6+ and 3.2+](https://github.com/ytdl-org/youtube-dl/issues/30568#issue-1118238743)
+* yt-dlp supports only [Python 3.9+](## "Windows 8"), and will remove support for more versions as they [become EOL](https://devguide.python.org/versions/#python-release-cycle); while [youtube-dl still supports Python 2.6+ and 3.2+](https://github.com/ytdl-org/youtube-dl/issues/30568#issue-1118238743)
 * The options `--auto-number` (`-A`), `--title` (`-t`) and `--literal` (`-l`), no longer work. See [removed options](#Removed) for details
 * `avconv` is not supported as an alternative to `ffmpeg`
 * yt-dlp stores config files in slightly different locations to youtube-dl. See [CONFIGURATION](#configuration) for a list of correct locations
diff --git a/devscripts/make_issue_template.py b/devscripts/make_issue_template.py
index 8135689c7..2a418ddbf 100644
--- a/devscripts/make_issue_template.py
+++ b/devscripts/make_issue_template.py
@@ -32,14 +32,15 @@
       placeholder: |
         [debug] Command-line config: ['-vU', 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaW_jenozKc']
         [debug] Encodings: locale cp65001, fs utf-8, pref cp65001, out utf-8, error utf-8, screen utf-8
-        [debug] yt-dlp version nightly@... from yt-dlp/yt-dlp [b634ba742] (win_exe)
-        [debug] Python 3.8.10 (CPython 64bit) - Windows-10-10.0.22000-SP0
-        [debug] exe versions: ffmpeg N-106550-g072101bd52-20220410 (fdk,setts), ffprobe N-106624-g391ce570c8-20220415, phantomjs 2.1.1
-        [debug] Optional libraries: Cryptodome-3.15.0, brotli-1.0.9, certifi-2022.06.15, mutagen-1.45.1, sqlite3-2.6.0, websockets-10.3
+        [debug] yt-dlp version nightly@... from yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds [1a176d874] (win_exe)
+        [debug] Python 3.10.11 (CPython AMD64 64bit) - Windows-10-10.0.20348-SP0 (OpenSSL 1.1.1t  7 Feb 2023)
+        [debug] exe versions: ffmpeg 7.0.2 (setts), ffprobe 7.0.2
+        [debug] Optional libraries: Cryptodome-3.21.0, brotli-1.1.0, certifi-2024.08.30, curl_cffi-0.5.10, mutagen-1.47.0, requests-2.32.3, sqlite3-3.40.1, urllib3-2.2.3, websockets-13.1
         [debug] Proxy map: {}
-        [debug] Request Handlers: urllib, requests
-        [debug] Loaded 1893 extractors
-        [debug] Fetching release info: https://api.github.com/repos/yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds/releases/latest
+        [debug] Request Handlers: urllib, requests, websockets, curl_cffi
+        [debug] Loaded 1838 extractors
+        [debug] Fetching release info: https://api.github.com/repos/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest
+        Latest version: nightly@... from yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds
         yt-dlp is up to date (nightly@... from yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds)
         [youtube] Extracting URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaW_jenozKc
         <more lines>
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index ff5e38ff5..8490cd274 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ maintainers = [
 ]
 description = "A feature-rich command-line audio/video downloader"
 readme = "README.md"
-requires-python = ">=3.8"
+requires-python = ">=3.9"
 keywords = [
     "youtube-dl",
     "video-downloader",
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ classifiers = [
     "Environment :: Console",
     "Programming Language :: Python",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: Only",
-    "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11",
diff --git a/setup.cfg b/setup.cfg
index e7f3e2b95..20d40cd30 100644
--- a/setup.cfg
+++ b/setup.cfg
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ setenv =
 
 
 [isort]
-py_version = 38
+py_version = 39
 multi_line_output = VERTICAL_HANGING_INDENT
 line_length = 80
 reverse_relative = true
diff --git a/test/test_update.py b/test/test_update.py
index 63a21e445..23c12d38c 100644
--- a/test/test_update.py
+++ b/test/test_update.py
@@ -82,16 +82,32 @@
 lock 2022.08.18.36 .+ Python 3\.6
 lock 2023.11.16 (?!win_x86_exe).+ Python 3\.7
 lock 2023.11.16 win_x86_exe .+ Windows-(?:Vista|2008Server)
+lock 2024.10.22 py2exe .+
+lock 2024.10.22 linux_(?:armv7l|aarch64)_exe .+-glibc2\.(?:[12]?\d|30)\b
+lock 2024.10.22 (?!\w+_exe).+ Python 3\.8
+lock 2024.10.22 win(?:_x86)?_exe Python 3\.[78].+ Windows-(?:7-|2008ServerR2)
 '''
 
 TEST_LOCKFILE_V2_TMPL = r'''%s
 lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp 2022.08.18.36 .+ Python 3\.6
 lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp 2023.11.16 (?!win_x86_exe).+ Python 3\.7
 lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp 2023.11.16 win_x86_exe .+ Windows-(?:Vista|2008Server)
+lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp 2024.10.22 py2exe .+
+lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp 2024.10.22 linux_(?:armv7l|aarch64)_exe .+-glibc2\.(?:[12]?\d|30)\b
+lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp 2024.10.22 (?!\w+_exe).+ Python 3\.8
+lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp 2024.10.22 win(?:_x86)?_exe Python 3\.[78].+ Windows-(?:7-|2008ServerR2)
 lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds 2023.11.15.232826 (?!win_x86_exe).+ Python 3\.7
 lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds 2023.11.15.232826 win_x86_exe .+ Windows-(?:Vista|2008Server)
+lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds 2024.10.22.051025 py2exe .+
+lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds 2024.10.22.051025 linux_(?:armv7l|aarch64)_exe .+-glibc2\.(?:[12]?\d|30)\b
+lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds 2024.10.22.051025 (?!\w+_exe).+ Python 3\.8
+lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-nightly-builds 2024.10.22.051025 win(?:_x86)?_exe Python 3\.[78].+ Windows-(?:7-|2008ServerR2)
 lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-master-builds 2023.11.15.232812 (?!win_x86_exe).+ Python 3\.7
 lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-master-builds 2023.11.15.232812 win_x86_exe .+ Windows-(?:Vista|2008Server)
+lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-master-builds 2024.10.22.045052 py2exe .+
+lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-master-builds 2024.10.22.060347 linux_(?:armv7l|aarch64)_exe .+-glibc2\.(?:[12]?\d|30)\b
+lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-master-builds 2024.10.22.060347 (?!\w+_exe).+ Python 3\.8
+lockV2 yt-dlp/yt-dlp-master-builds 2024.10.22.060347 win(?:_x86)?_exe Python 3\.[78].+ Windows-(?:7-|2008ServerR2)
 '''
 
 TEST_LOCKFILE_V2 = TEST_LOCKFILE_V2_TMPL % TEST_LOCKFILE_COMMENT
@@ -145,43 +161,76 @@ def test(lockfile, identifier, input_tag, expect_tag, exact=False, repo='yt-dlp/
         for lockfile in (TEST_LOCKFILE_V1, TEST_LOCKFILE_V2, TEST_LOCKFILE_ACTUAL, TEST_LOCKFILE_FORK):
             # Normal operation
             test(lockfile, 'zip Python 3.12.0', '2023.12.31', '2023.12.31')
-            test(lockfile, 'zip stable Python 3.12.0', '2023.12.31', '2023.12.31', exact=True)
-            # Python 3.6 --update should update only to its lock
+            test(lockfile, 'zip Python 3.12.0', '2023.12.31', '2023.12.31', exact=True)
+            # py2exe should never update beyond 2024.10.22
+            test(lockfile, 'py2exe Python 3.8', '2025.01.01', '2024.10.22')
+            test(lockfile, 'py2exe Python 3.8', '2025.01.01', None, exact=True)
+            # Python 3.6 --update should update only to the py3.6 lock
             test(lockfile, 'zip Python 3.6.0', '2023.11.16', '2022.08.18.36')
-            # --update-to an exact version later than the lock should return None
-            test(lockfile, 'zip stable Python 3.6.0', '2023.11.16', None, exact=True)
-            # Python 3.7 should be able to update to its lock
+            # Python 3.6 --update-to an exact version later than the py3.6 lock should return None
+            test(lockfile, 'zip Python 3.6.0', '2023.11.16', None, exact=True)
+            # Python 3.7 should be able to update to the py3.7 lock
             test(lockfile, 'zip Python 3.7.0', '2023.11.16', '2023.11.16')
-            test(lockfile, 'zip stable Python 3.7.1', '2023.11.16', '2023.11.16', exact=True)
-            # Non-win_x86_exe builds on py3.7 must be locked
+            test(lockfile, 'zip Python 3.7.1', '2023.11.16', '2023.11.16', exact=True)
+            # Non-win_x86_exe builds on py3.7 must be locked at py3.7 lock
             test(lockfile, 'zip Python 3.7.1', '2023.12.31', '2023.11.16')
-            test(lockfile, 'zip stable Python 3.7.1', '2023.12.31', None, exact=True)
-            test(  # Windows Vista w/ win_x86_exe must be locked
-                lockfile, 'win_x86_exe stable Python 3.7.9 (CPython x86 32bit) - Windows-Vista-6.0.6003-SP2',
+            test(lockfile, 'zip Python 3.7.1', '2023.12.31', None, exact=True)
+            # Python 3.8 should only update to the py3.8 lock
+            test(lockfile, 'zip Python 3.8.10', '2025.01.01', '2024.10.22')
+            test(lockfile, 'zip Python 3.8.110', '2025.01.01', None, exact=True)
+            test(  # Windows Vista w/ win_x86_exe must be locked at Vista lock
+                lockfile, 'win_x86_exe Python 3.7.9 (CPython x86 32bit) - Windows-Vista-6.0.6003-SP2',
                 '2023.12.31', '2023.11.16')
-            test(  # Windows 2008Server w/ win_x86_exe must be locked
+            test(  # Windows 2008Server w/ win_x86_exe must be locked at Vista lock
                 lockfile, 'win_x86_exe Python 3.7.9 (CPython x86 32bit) - Windows-2008Server',
                 '2023.12.31', None, exact=True)
-            test(  # Windows 7 w/ win_x86_exe py3.7 build should be able to update beyond lock
-                lockfile, 'win_x86_exe stable Python 3.7.9 (CPython x86 32bit) - Windows-7-6.1.7601-SP1',
-                '2023.12.31', '2023.12.31')
-            test(  # Windows 8.1 w/ '2008Server' in platform string should be able to update beyond lock
+            test(  # Windows 7 w/ win_x86_exe py3.7 build should be able to update beyond py3.7 lock
+                lockfile, 'win_x86_exe Python 3.7.9 (CPython x86 32bit) - Windows-7-6.1.7601-SP1',
+                '2023.12.31', '2023.12.31', exact=True)
+            test(  # Windows 7 win_x86_exe should only update to Win7 lock
+                lockfile, 'win_x86_exe Python 3.7.9 (CPython x86 32bit) - Windows-7-6.1.7601-SP1',
+                '2025.01.01', '2024.10.22')
+            test(  # Windows 2008ServerR2 win_exe should only update to Win7 lock
+                lockfile, 'win_exe Python 3.8.10 (CPython x86 32bit) - Windows-2008ServerR2',
+                '2025.12.31', '2024.10.22')
+            test(  # Windows 8.1 w/ '2008Server' in platform string should be able to update beyond py3.7 lock
                 lockfile, 'win_x86_exe Python 3.7.9 (CPython x86 32bit) - Windows-post2008Server-6.2.9200',
                 '2023.12.31', '2023.12.31', exact=True)
+            test(  # win_exe built w/Python 3.8 on Windows>=8 should be able to update beyond py3.8 lock
+                lockfile, 'win_exe Python 3.8.10 (CPython AMD64 64bit) - Windows-10-10.0.20348-SP0',
+                '2025.01.01', '2025.01.01', exact=True)
+            test(  # linux_armv7l_exe w/glibc2.7 should only update to glibc<2.31 lock
+                lockfile, 'linux_armv7l_exe Python 3.8.0 (CPython armv7l 32bit) - Linux-6.5.0-1025-azure-armv7l-with-glibc2.7',
+                '2025.01.01', '2024.10.22')
+            test(  # linux_armv7l_exe w/Python 3.8 and glibc>=2.31 should be able to update beyond py3.8 and glibc<2.31 locks
+                lockfile, 'linux_armv7l_exe Python 3.8.0 (CPython armv7l 32bit) - Linux-6.5.0-1025-azure-armv7l-with-glibc2.31',
+                '2025.01.01', '2025.01.01')
+            test(  # linux_armv7l_exe w/glibc2.30 should only update to glibc<2.31 lock
+                lockfile, 'linux_armv7l_exe Python 3.8.0 (CPython armv7l 64bit) - Linux-6.5.0-1025-azure-aarch64-with-glibc2.30 (OpenSSL',
+                '2025.01.01', '2024.10.22')
+            test(  # linux_aarch64_exe w/glibc2.17 should only update to glibc<2.31 lock
+                lockfile, 'linux_aarch64_exe Python 3.8.0 (CPython aarch64 64bit) - Linux-6.5.0-1025-azure-aarch64-with-glibc2.17',
+                '2025.01.01', '2024.10.22')
+            test(  # linux_aarch64_exe w/glibc2.40 and glibc>=2.31 should be able to update beyond py3.8 and glibc<2.31 locks
+                lockfile, 'linux_aarch64_exe Python 3.8.0 (CPython aarch64 64bit) - Linux-6.5.0-1025-azure-aarch64-with-glibc2.40',
+                '2025.01.01', '2025.01.01')
+            test(  # linux_aarch64_exe w/glibc2.3 should only update to glibc<2.31 lock
+                lockfile, 'linux_aarch64_exe Python 3.8.0 (CPython aarch64 64bit) - Linux-6.5.0-1025-azure-aarch64-with-glibc2.3 (OpenSSL',
+                '2025.01.01', '2024.10.22')
 
         # Forks can block updates to non-numeric tags rather than lock
         test(TEST_LOCKFILE_FORK, 'zip Python 3.6.3', 'pr0000', None, repo='fork/yt-dlp')
-        test(TEST_LOCKFILE_FORK, 'zip stable Python 3.7.4', 'pr0000', 'pr0000', repo='fork/yt-dlp')
-        test(TEST_LOCKFILE_FORK, 'zip stable Python 3.7.4', 'pr1234', None, repo='fork/yt-dlp')
+        test(TEST_LOCKFILE_FORK, 'zip Python 3.7.4', 'pr0000', 'pr0000', repo='fork/yt-dlp')
+        test(TEST_LOCKFILE_FORK, 'zip Python 3.7.4', 'pr1234', None, repo='fork/yt-dlp')
         test(TEST_LOCKFILE_FORK, 'zip Python 3.8.1', 'pr1234', 'pr1234', repo='fork/yt-dlp', exact=True)
         test(
-            TEST_LOCKFILE_FORK, 'win_x86_exe stable Python 3.7.9 (CPython x86 32bit) - Windows-Vista-6.0.6003-SP2',
+            TEST_LOCKFILE_FORK, 'win_x86_exe Python 3.7.9 (CPython x86 32bit) - Windows-Vista-6.0.6003-SP2',
             'pr1234', None, repo='fork/yt-dlp')
         test(
-            TEST_LOCKFILE_FORK, 'win_x86_exe stable Python 3.7.9 (CPython x86 32bit) - Windows-7-6.1.7601-SP1',
+            TEST_LOCKFILE_FORK, 'win_x86_exe Python 3.7.9 (CPython x86 32bit) - Windows-7-6.1.7601-SP1',
             '2023.12.31', '2023.12.31', repo='fork/yt-dlp')
         test(TEST_LOCKFILE_FORK, 'zip Python 3.11.2', 'pr9999', None, repo='fork/yt-dlp', exact=True)
-        test(TEST_LOCKFILE_FORK, 'zip stable Python 3.12.0', 'pr9999', 'pr9999', repo='fork/yt-dlp')
+        test(TEST_LOCKFILE_FORK, 'zip Python 3.12.0', 'pr9999', 'pr9999', repo='fork/yt-dlp')
 
     def test_query_update(self):
         ydl = FakeYDL()
diff --git a/yt_dlp/__init__.py b/yt_dlp/__init__.py
index d976f5bbc..419090b9a 100644
--- a/yt_dlp/__init__.py
+++ b/yt_dlp/__init__.py
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 import sys
 
-if sys.version_info < (3, 8):
+if sys.version_info < (3, 9):
     raise ImportError(
-        f'You are using an unsupported version of Python. Only Python versions 3.8 and above are supported by yt-dlp')  # noqa: F541
+        f'You are using an unsupported version of Python. Only Python versions 3.9 and above are supported by yt-dlp')  # noqa: F541
 
 __license__ = 'The Unlicense'
 
diff --git a/yt_dlp/compat/compat_utils.py b/yt_dlp/compat/compat_utils.py
index d62b7d048..d8b3c45cd 100644
--- a/yt_dlp/compat/compat_utils.py
+++ b/yt_dlp/compat/compat_utils.py
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ def __getattr__(attr):
         callback(attr)
         return ret
 
-    @functools.lru_cache(maxsize=None)
+    @functools.cache
     def from_child(attr):
         nonlocal child
         if attr not in allowed_attributes:
diff --git a/yt_dlp/compat/functools.py b/yt_dlp/compat/functools.py
index 96689575f..c2e9e9027 100644
--- a/yt_dlp/compat/functools.py
+++ b/yt_dlp/compat/functools.py
@@ -5,8 +5,3 @@
 
 passthrough_module(__name__, 'functools')
 del passthrough_module
-
-try:
-    _ = cache  # >= 3.9
-except NameError:
-    cache = lru_cache(maxsize=None)
diff --git a/yt_dlp/extractor/pornbox.py b/yt_dlp/extractor/pornbox.py
index e15244dac..9b89adbf9 100644
--- a/yt_dlp/extractor/pornbox.py
+++ b/yt_dlp/extractor/pornbox.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
+import functools
+
 from .common import InfoExtractor
-from ..compat import functools
 from ..utils import (
     int_or_none,
     parse_duration,
diff --git a/yt_dlp/plugins.py b/yt_dlp/plugins.py
index 204558d60..2bf55df71 100644
--- a/yt_dlp/plugins.py
+++ b/yt_dlp/plugins.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import contextlib
+import functools
 import importlib
 import importlib.abc
 import importlib.machinery
@@ -13,7 +14,6 @@
 from pathlib import Path
 from zipfile import ZipFile
 
-from .compat import functools  # isort: split
 from .utils import (
     Config,
     get_executable_path,
diff --git a/yt_dlp/update.py b/yt_dlp/update.py
index 3a8d78de4..90df2509f 100644
--- a/yt_dlp/update.py
+++ b/yt_dlp/update.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 import atexit
 import contextlib
+import functools
 import hashlib
 import json
 import os
@@ -12,7 +13,6 @@
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from zipimport import zipimporter
 
-from .compat import functools  # isort: split
 from .compat import compat_realpath
 from .networking import Request
 from .networking.exceptions import HTTPError, network_exceptions
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ def _get_binary_name():
 
 
 def _get_system_deprecation():
-    MIN_SUPPORTED, MIN_RECOMMENDED = (3, 8), (3, 9)
+    MIN_SUPPORTED, MIN_RECOMMENDED = (3, 9), (3, 9)
 
     if sys.version_info > MIN_RECOMMENDED:
         return None
@@ -146,18 +146,6 @@ def _get_system_deprecation():
     if sys.version_info < MIN_SUPPORTED:
         return f'Python version {major}.{minor} is no longer supported! {PYTHON_MSG}'
 
-    EXE_MSG_TMPL = ('Support for {} has been deprecated. '
-                    'See  https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/{}  for details.\n{}')
-    STOP_MSG = 'You may stop receiving updates on this version at any time!'
-    variant = detect_variant()
-
-    # Temporary until Windows builds use 3.9, which will drop support for Win7 and 2008ServerR2
-    if variant in ('win_exe', 'win_x86_exe'):
-        platform_name = platform.platform()
-        if any(platform_name.startswith(f'Windows-{name}') for name in ('7', '2008ServerR2')):
-            return EXE_MSG_TMPL.format('Windows 7/Server 2008 R2', 'issues/10086', STOP_MSG)
-        return None
-
     return f'Support for Python version {major}.{minor} has been deprecated. {PYTHON_MSG}'
 
 
diff --git a/yt_dlp/utils/_utils.py b/yt_dlp/utils/_utils.py
index ea748898f..7aff67ddf 100644
--- a/yt_dlp/utils/_utils.py
+++ b/yt_dlp/utils/_utils.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 import email.header
 import email.utils
 import errno
+import functools
 import hashlib
 import hmac
 import html.entities
@@ -44,7 +45,6 @@
 
 from . import traversal
 
-from ..compat import functools  # isort: split
 from ..compat import (
     compat_etree_fromstring,
     compat_expanduser,