anuseems Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Where is the 64-bit version of the Firefox web browser for the Windows operating system? That’s a question that I have been asking myself for the past couple of years, probably ever since I updated to a 64-bit version of Windows 7 Professional. Mozilla is offering 64-bit versions of the browser for Mac and Linux, but Windows, the operating system that is used by the majority of Internet users? There have been nightly and custom builds of 64-bit versions of Firefox, but that is about it.64-bit versions have been in development for quite some time, a roadmap released in 2011 for instance lists the Windows 64-bit version of Firefox under Firefox 5. That did not happen but still, most Firefox users probably expected that Mozilla would eventually release Firefox 64-bit for Windows.That dream may have been shattered now with the announcement that Mozilla decided to stop producing 64-bit builds for the Windows operating system. Per newsgroup discussion. Please stop building windows 64 builds and tests. This includes the following subtasks, which I’m not filing specific bugs on but you may want to break these out: * stop building win64 nightlies * repatriate existing win64 nightly users onto win32 builds using a custom update * stop doing win64 “hourly” builds on mozilla-central and other branches * disable the win64 option in try/trychooser This bug is not the place to argue about this decision, which has already been made. If there is critical data which you think should be heard about this decision, please post it to mozilla.dev.apps.firefox.What are the reasons given? Many plugins are not available in 64-bit versions The plugins that are available do not work correctly in Firefox 64-bit versions are slower than 32-bit versions of Firefox 64-bit users can’t test all features of the browser (in regards to Nightly) 64-bit crash reports are not high priority User frustration because of this Stability team frustration because crash stats do not distinguish between 32-bit and 64-bit builds.About 50% of Nightly users are currently working with a 64-bit version of Firefox. Since there won’t be any updates for the versions they are running, they somehow need to receive information about the change.Mozilla plans to offer an update for those users to “convert” their 64-bit version of Firefox Nightly to a 32-bit version. It is not clear when this is going to happen though but it will happen at around the time the Nightly builds are no longer produced and uploaded to the servers. It is not clear if third party builds of Firefox, for instance the 64-bit Waterfox browser, are affected by the change as well.This does not mean that there won’t be a 64-bit version of Firefox ever, but for the foreseeable future, it is not going to happen.The only (major) browser makers offering 64-bit browsers right now are Microsoft and Opera. Everyone else is only offering 32-bit versions for Windows.Some Firefox users will certainly be disappointed by the move even if it does not impact them right away. I for one dislike Mozilla’s current trend to move away from development of certain programs, Thunderbird and now 64-bit Windows builds come to mind. It gives the impression that these products are not worth the company’s time, and as a result, that users who like those products are not Mozilla’s top priority either anymore.@ http://www.ghacks.net/2012/11/22/mozilla-no-more-windows-64-bit-builds-of-firefox/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcs18 Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Some Firefox users will certainly be disappointed by the move even if it does not impact them right away. I for one dislike Mozilla's current trend to move away from development of certain programs, Thunderbird and now 64-bit Windows builds come to mind. It gives the impression that these products are not worth the company's time, and as a result, that users who like those products are not Mozilla's top priority either anymore.You can bet that I'm pissed off!!! :angry: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demoneye Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 cant understand them .... i use some times waterfox a 64 bit variant of firefox and all plugins works fine . also it deliver much more speed gain than the x32 firefox .. soooooo if watefox developer can do it (way to go alex!!!!!) i assume the big fat ass Moziila can! :Dand yes , i am pissed off to !!! :angry: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolng Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Use Waterfox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stylemessiah Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Given that Mozilla has never released an optimised version of even the 32bit FF, why is anyone really surprised that theyve put the 64bit version in the too hard (and too lazy) basket?I personally use Waterfox, and its way better than anything from Mozilla.....never had an issue with Waterfox or any plugin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcs18 Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Those who've really and I mean really used Waterfox and Firefox, as well in the x64-bit iteration will be aware that Waterfox is nothing but the test-tube-baby of the Nightlies. :lol: In layman's language - it will never ever be possible for Waterfox to outdo Firefox (guys, don't be daft - you're using just an extract, in other words molasses instead of the real sugar-cane.) :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hottwire Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Shame to hear about this, was looking forward to a x64 version of firefox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evildust Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 http://xhmikosr.1f0.de/firefox/http://code.google.com/p/htguardmozilla/downloads/list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eqagunn Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Well, this sux. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator DKT27 Posted November 22, 2012 Administrator Share Posted November 22, 2012 Yea, I had got the email. I was gonna write an full-fledge article about it, but didn't know some journalists were so fast. :P Anyway, as soon as I got the email, I made this post in the bugzilla bug: I have a question. Will Firefox ever have any 64-bit in future? As in, is there any chance that, as time changes, we will start seeing 64-bit builds again? Or is this a forever nail to the coffin? Anyway, worth noting is, IE 64-bit never seemed Microsoft's priority (IE9 64-bit for example, lacking feature(s) that enhance the performance), but, Opera for example seems to be doing well with it's newly introduced, stable builds. And yes, half of nightly users might stop using nightly builds if 64-bit builds are removed. So yea, in the time when the browsers are moving so fast, will we see any re-consideration in the unseen future. https://bugzilla.moz...g.cgi?id=814009 And, immediately, note, immediately, the bug title was changed from: Disable windows 64 builds to this: Disable windows 64 builds for now My job here is done. ;) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Either way, this is sad indeed, but nothing we can't get adjusted to. On a positive side, Mozilla will not need to work on 64-bit anymore, hence, more time working on other aspects of the browser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1chaoticadult Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Won't affect me since I use Pale Moon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanjoa Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Damn Mozilla! :rant: I think it's time to switch to Opera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROMANTICGUY50 Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Won't affect me since I use Pale Moon.So do I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnakeMasteR Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Won't affect me since I use Pale Moon. I don't even have 64bit Windows. :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avitar Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 I don't even have 64bit Windows. :lol: As he mentions it... Why do we tech dudes automatically go for 64 bit? Because 64 bit is the future, and if Mozilla refuses to accept it and evolve into the 64 bit computing era, then as with all relics, Firefox will fade away into history as the Browser that once was... It's about time the world was rid of the horrid 16 bit and 32 bit programming interface. Too much security vulnerabilities and code clashing among instructions. Only a simple set of instructions to work with and little fault tolerance. Just my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnakeMasteR Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 The most dangerous vulnerability is the user that sits 60cm from the monitor away, no matter what architecture you use. For the vulnerabilities: it makes no difference. 64bit architecture can emulate 32bit too, if bad code uses that feature, your 64bit architecture goes poooooof for no reason very fast. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcs18 Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Personally, I don't see this issue on my system but, one of the common complaints about Firefox is high resource hogging - the 64-bit architecture redresses that issue to a great degree. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonar Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 No harm done to me for a good few years that my laptop can handle, only 32 bit here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROMANTICGUY50 Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 I intend to stay with 64bit I like it better than 32bit I love my Windows 7 64 bit I use Palemoon and Comodo which I hope will come out with a 64bit browser. I think Mozilla is making a big mistake with this decision Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwardecl Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Hmm I just take this to mean that 64bit nightly builds are not a priority... and as test builds are supposed to be for testing not general use the feedback they get from 64bit releases is not helpful to them...Does not mean someone else can't build a 64bit version of it if they really want it, which I don't understand as they say there is no benefit from it, people need to understand that programs need to be written with 64bit optimisations in mind for it to actually be faster and not just have more overheads for no gain.Now I could be wrong about Firefox, maybe there are such optimisations... but what they posted seems to state otherwise.Also in the case of Ubuntu Linux... the 64bit version is actually slower in many ways... Only if you need to address more memory is it worthwhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clusterphuck Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 It's amusing to me they do this when Google's actually getting closer to releasing 64-bit Chromium builds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SacredCultivator Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Dang was a fan of the 64-bit builds too. And hmm yes on my laptop I use WaterFox, but got to keep in mind, if Firefox stops development of the 64-bit builds, WaterFox won't be updating as well. Only PaleMoon I believe will since they've already branched completely off from the FireFox source code. So I guess for me, it's time to just switch back to 32-bit builds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator DKT27 Posted November 22, 2012 Administrator Share Posted November 22, 2012 Those not aware, 32-bit softwares run perfectly fine on 64-bit OS. Just for those who have never tried 64-bit OS. :) Hmm I just take this to mean that 64bit nightly builds are not a priority... and as test builds are supposed to be for testing not general use the feedback they get from 64bit releases is not helpful to them... Indeed, that's correct. Does not mean someone else can't build a 64bit version of it if they really want it... Waterfox seems to be doing a good job. Dang was a fan of the 64-bit builds too. And hmm yes on my laptop I use WaterFox, but got to keep in mind, if Firefox stops development of the 64-bit builds, WaterFox won't be updating as well. Wrong. Waterfox has nothing to do with this. Waterfox isn't nightly based, they take stable source code and release it. Infact, Waterfox might well relieve the no official 64-bit release pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psyko666 Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Ummm, they do realise 64 bit is the future right? Man Firefox really seems to have gone off the rails lately.Basically they’re saying ‘It’s toooooo hard, we give up..wahhh’. Pathetic. :mad2: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcs18 Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Mozilla: no more Windows 64-bit builds of FirefoxNow I also have doubts whether this is true - it's less than 48 hrs. since the (x64-bit) V20 was released. :think: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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