Firefox 64-bit is here

darael · 16 Dec 2015 at 11:23

The updater doesn't automatically install the 32-bit version of Firefox, you need to hunt around to find the 64-bit, but I found it on this page.

I can't say I'm noticing any changes in performance, but I expect to with large pages.

I just wish Mozilla would stop playing around with the address bar - it is ugly now.

MarcLister · 16 Dec 2015 at 13:33

Spotted it last night when I downloaded the x86 version for archiving. Thought there'd be a mention of the x64 build so I'm a bit surprised that this is it.

Haven't tried it yet but, like you, I reckon it'll be on heavier pages with lots of media that the x64 might come into its own.

Clav · 16 Dec 2015 at 13:59

Is it better than Waterfox? Or any difference at all?

Elevon · 16 Dec 2015 at 14:05

Firefox 64 bit has been around for ages, I've been using all the builds including beta since pre 40.xx to present official 43.0.

They have all been stable, I ditched 32 bit Firefox ages ago.

linktoinsanity · 16 Dec 2015 at 14:11

Clav said:
Is it better than Waterfox? Or any difference at all?

I'm interested in this too, especially as everything that works in Firefox also appears to work in Waterfox and the latter has a cooler blue icon.

darael · 16 Dec 2015 at 14:15

I haven't used Waterfox, so I can't comment on how it compares to Firefox.

I will say that after using this 64-bit Firefox, things on the whole feel a little "snappier" and smoother.

Elevon · 16 Dec 2015 at 14:25

Going from 32 bit Firefox to 64 bit Firefox you will notice it's a little faster, all my FF extensions/themes work from 32 bit to 64 bit Firefox, so you should not have any real issues, but notice some speed improvements, stability is excellent in general.

Waterfox are on the older 40 builds I believe. I will say if you join/use the beta channel builds of Firefox 64 bit you will get the latest builds quite frequently, they auto update.

I'm on the beta channel(latest at the moment is 43.0).

opethdisciple · 17 Dec 2015 at 10:20

On the subject of 64bit browsers. I tested out the 64bit version of chrome in my 4Gb machine and decided to go back to the 32bit version as on some websites the pages where growing and fulling up all my ram. Causing slow down.

Orcvader · 17 Dec 2015 at 11:48

On Waterfox I noticed a significant increase in RAM usage, Firefox 64-bit usage is a lot closer to the 32-bit version, just a tad slightly more. Can't really see a difference with performance but it may be more noticable on lower end systems.

V F · 17 Dec 2015 at 11:58

Upgrade or backup extension settings and load new profiles? Also, is the 64bit version SSD self aware?

Orcvader · 17 Dec 2015 at 12:03

V F said:
Upgrade or backup extension settings and load new profiles? Also, is the 64bit version SSD self aware?

I just uninstalled the 32-bit version via control panel (and did not remove my Firefox profile) and then installed the 64-bit version, no problems so far.

Phil2008 · 17 Dec 2015 at 13:39

Im guessing flash doesn't work in the 64bit tho?

Elevon · 17 Dec 2015 at 13:43

Phil2008 said:
Im guessing flash doesn't work in the 64bit tho?

Flash works fine on 64 bit FF.

mrk · 17 Dec 2015 at 14:05

darael said:
The updater doesn't automatically install the 32-bit version of Firefox, you need to hunt around to find the 64-bit, but I found it on this page.

I can't say I'm noticing any changes in performance, but I expect to with large pages.

I just wish Mozilla would stop playing around with the address bar - it is ugly now.

New theme has never been a problem worth writing about.

Orcvader · 17 Dec 2015 at 14:08

Phil2008 said:
Im guessing flash doesn't work in the 64bit tho?

Adobe has been providing 64-bit Flash with the 32-bit version in the same install package for a long time. Works just as normal as well.

KIA · 18 Dec 2015 at 18:34

The death of NPAPI plug-ins is a good thing.

Websites and publishers which currently use plugins such as Silverlight or Java should accelerate their transition to Web technologies.

https://blog.mozilla.org/futurereleases/2015/10/08/npapi-plugins-in-firefox/

Working for the time being:

TheVoice · 18 Dec 2015 at 18:36

Orcvader said:
I just uninstalled the 32-bit version via control panel (and did not remove my Firefox profile) and then installed the 64-bit version, no problems so far.

And just to confirm, everything stayed as it was with the 32-bit one? I have a bunch of tab groups that I really don't want to lose in the switch.

mrk · 18 Dec 2015 at 18:37

Everything remains as is yes.

It's good practice to back up your profile directory from time to time anyway.

V F · 18 Dec 2015 at 19:18

There doesn't appear to be a great deal of performance difference that I can notice apart from web pages seem to render more or less instant.

However, I cannot wait until Flash and Silverlight is shot.

Disco_P · 18 Dec 2015 at 19:33

I haven't noticed a difference in speed between the two but this version has added some new things to the address bar like search suggestions.

As for Java and Flash - I've not even installed them and have no intention.