Windows 64-bit for Firefox
So it's my understanding that the 64 bit Firefox version for Windows has been released, and it's some sort of Developer Edition.
- 1.) Because i am using Windows 64 bit does that mean when i update Firefox it automatically will update to 64 bit Firefox version or do i need to uninstall the Firefox i am using and re-install it with the 64 bit Firefox version if i want to use the 64 bit?
- 2.) Because i am using Windows 64 bit, should i be using 64 bit Firefox version?
- 2a.) What are the advantages of using 64 bit Firefox version?
- 2b.) What are the advantages of this developer edition and do i need it?
- 3.) The Firefox version i am using is up to date.. I have about 50+ tabs open. If i need to delete this version of Firefox, then install this 64 bit Firefox version will i lose my profile, the 50+ tabs i have open, and will i need to reinstall my add-on?
All Replies (20)
The Developer version of Firefox is an early test version that is about 11 weeks away from release. I think if you prefer the more stable browser, it would make sense to wait.
As for what the benefit might be, I have yet to learn of one. I use nearly all 32-bit applications on 64-bit Windows and it rarely seems to limit what the applications can do. (Giant Excel models might be an exception.)
i'm having similar problems with firefox. i have a 64 bit windows operating system and i am experiencing "gliches" too, like flash-type things every time i type or click my mouse etc. i wonder if it's because of my os being 64 bit. idk. i'll try updating firefox and see if that helps....i'll be back lol
Hi submarelime, I think most Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 users running Firefox have 64-bit systems, and most performance/graphical issues are the same for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows.
To address display issues, I suggest starting a new question at the following link. Scroll down past the suggestions to continue submitting your question: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/new/desktop/fix-problems
On one screen you will see a green "Share Data" button. This will capture information Firefox knows about your graphics card driver software and whether Firefox can work with it. It also captures a lists any extensions you have installed.
Perhaps before doing that, you might want to check for updates, since we'll probably suggest that anyway: Upgrade your graphics drivers to use hardware acceleration and WebGL.
Note there are four main development channels. For stable to unstable are Release, Beta, Aurora (Developer Edition) and Nightly. Release has yet to get Win64 builds and even though Beta does this does not mean it will be on Release next as Beta had Win64 since 37.0b#.
There are Win64 test builds on the Beta, Aurora and Nightly. Beta gets about six to twelve builds for a version on average. The Aurora and Nightly channels gets updates almost everyday so therefore they get a update each of those days. This mean they can sometimes have issues due to a checkin(s) causing it until fixed or a finished addition.
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you were right, it was my graphics that needed updating. thank you, the gliches stopped .....finally! thanks again =)
for more faster browsing i need 64 bit mozilla firefox browser as my os is windows8 with 64 bit os |
but cant download the latest version of firefox ver
plz help
Hi dipankarbhattacharyya, has anyone compared performance of 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Firefox? I'm not sure there is a significant difference.
Anyway, if you want the beta test version, you can use this page (scroll down to your preferred language): https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/beta/all/
I really dont like these forums because (1) they don't really answer the question and (2) one can spend hours reading through them and come out drained, exhausted and totally confused. I dont seem to have any of the problems most of you poor souls appear to have and I feel your pain. I honestly wish I could help. Unlike most people, I don't surf the internet, I use the computer online for specific purposes and many require the use of Java. I continually get Java update requests and go through the motions only to find thats all that happens. Motions. The Firefox viewer still blocks the java usage and continually advises me that my java is out of date DESPITE ALL UPDATES. Starting from the early version 7 Java. (now 8 plus) I have nailed this down to the fact that my Java version is 64 bit and my Firefox is not. No point in installing the 32 bit Java surely? Is there an answer please?
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gummy43 said
I really dont like these forums because (1) they don't really answer the question and (2) one can spend hours reading through them and come out drained, exhausted and totally confused.
We encourage you to post your own question to get straight to the point!
No point in installing the 32 bit Java surely?
Firefox for Windows is a 32-bit application, so it requires 32-bit Java. They are separate installers. Oracle does mention this: Which Java download should I choose for my 64-bit Windows operating system?
You need 32-bit Plugins for 32-bit Firefox while a 64-bit Firefox needs 64-bit Plugins regardless if on Windows, Mac OSX or Linux.
For Win64 Firefox however as of Firefox 41.0+ the only 64-bit plugin that is white listed to work will be the 64-bit Flash Player.
For Windows users you will need 32-bit Firefox builds and 32-bit Plugins in order to use other Plugins (besides Flash Player) that are still being made and maintained by those who makes them.
Ok, first, allow me to thank you for such a rapid reply. This was so appreciated. Next, if Firfox is only 32 bit and Jave is 32 bit ( I checked to make sure) please tell me why oh why java is blocked and how I can unblock it please? \I have tried all I can think of to make Firefox accept it but.......
Hi gummy43:
Does "Java(TM) Platform SE 8 U60" show up on the Add-ons page?
Either:
- Ctrl+Shift+a
- "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
In the left column, click Plugins. On the right side, can you find that plugin? Please check the grayed area at the bottom for any disabled plugins and change "Never Activate" to "Ask to Activate" if found there.
If the plugin does not show up anywhere: There are several possible things to investigate.
Check for the Physical Presence of the Plugin DLL
It should be here:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre1.8.0_60\bin\plugin2\npjp2.dll
If that folder/file does not exist, the installation failed. Please try the installation again.
Confirm that Firefox is scanning the registry for plugins
Firefox finds most plugins from a registry entry. Some users have the scanning turned off for some reason. Here's how to check and fix that:
(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter. Click the button promising to be careful.
(2) In the search box above the list, type or paste scan and pause while the list is filtered
(3) If plugin.scan.plid.all is not set to its default value of true, double-click it to toggle it back to the default.
If you changed this setting, exit and restart Firefox to trigger another scan.
If you check the Add-ons page, Plugins section again, can you find the Java plugin there, either enabled or at the bottom disabled?
If Firefox is set to scan but still does not find the plugin and list it on the Add-ons page...
Remove Firefox's plugin registry file
Sometimes the pluginreg.dat file becomes corrupted. You can remove it and have Firefox re-scan for plugins.
Open your current Firefox settings (AKA Firefox profile) folder using either
- "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
- Help menu > Troubleshooting Information
- type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter
In the first table on the page, click the "Show Folder" button to launch a new Windows Explorer window showing your settings files.
Leaving that window open, switch back to Firefox and Exit, either:
- "3-bar" menu button > "power" button
- File menu > Exit
Pause while Firefox finishes its cleanup, then rename pluginreg.dat to something like pluginreg.old
Start Firefox back up again. (If you want to restore your previous non-private session, use History > Restore Previous Session.)
When you return to the Add-ons page, is the Java plugin finally there?
Why are you all talking in a post I posted like a year ago.. go create your own post/questions !!
Hi Teagan, I'm sorry, threads stay open for six months, and your thread title seems to be an irresistible attractant! You're right that we should have pressed the newcomer to start his/her own thread once it got onto the topic of Java.
To stop the notifications, come back to the post and look to the right of your question for Question Tools > Stop Email Updates
Teagan said
Why are you all talking in a post I posted like a year ago.. go create your own post/questions !!
Only three months. I would have perhaps splitted newer discussion off as a new thread but this forum software does not have that feature.
I need some transparency. I cannot accept the assurances that as Windows users we want to be running 32-bit FF.
After looking around on the web I have to ask: Why are there 64-bit FF release builds for Linux and Apple OS and not Windows?
I do not pretend to personal expertise, but I read that 64-bit programs are necessary if you wish to take advantage of the increased RAM available with 64-bit Windows.
Another advantage I read of is that 64-bit programs are "more stable." Over the last year or two FF and TB have become steadily less stable for me with each upgrade. FF is now regularly crashing my machine with the 40.0.3 upgrade.
(As an aside, I was stunned when after the most recent upgrade FF opened on a page that urged me to "refresh" FF with a convenient button. My endless patchwork of workarounds was now institutionalized?)
Has Mozilla decided to abandon Windows users? I have been forced to start looking for alternatives to FF. To give you a sense of how off the rails things have become from my perspective, I have been using the program since Netscape.
So, once again, can we have some transparency on this, please? What the heck is going on?
Thank you for your consideration and all the good work you do.
The bottom line is that Mozilla has not yet released a 64-bit version of Firefox for Windows operating systems. There are Beta, Developer, and Nightly pre-release versions available for "testing", but only the Adobe Flash plugin is allowed. All other 64-bit plugins are currently blocked.
dchyde said
After looking around on the web I have to ask: Why are there 64-bit FF release builds for Linux and Apple OS and not Windows?Because it was both much easier and needed for those 64-bit Linux and Mac OSX.
The 64-bit Linux builds were around for sometime before Firefox 4.0 Release as they were on then Nightly (Trunk) for to catch breakage on 64-bit work since it was possible to affect 64-bit but not 32-bit with checkins.
Firefox 42.0 is the current target for Win64 Release if everything goes smoothly.
Thank you, James.
When would one expect 42.0 to be released, all things being equal?
Firefox 42.0 is scheduled for November 3rd.
The Win64 was planned for Firefox 40 in short notice as a quite Release then soon after they decided it would be better for Firefox 41.0. However due to sandbox issues with Flash they changed it to 42.0
Another note. For the few who use 64-bit Windows XP, Vista and servers they will not be able to run Win64 Firefox so they will have to use 32-bit Firefox builds.
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