Firefox 64 bit doesn't "stay" and returns to 32 bit

[fritzfield]

I have never got 64 bit Firefox to stay. I download and install and verify its existence. When I close and re-enter WIn 10 Pro 64, the 32 bit version is back as the program when I check the help info. Dose anyone know how I can make 64 bit Firefox stay as my Firefox?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Why don't you just un-install all of your Firefox installs, and install the 64-bit version?

 

[fritzfield]

Did that, 64 bit NEVER happens, even after revo uninstall. 2 diff computers running win 10 pro 64

 

[VirtualLarry]

Then you're obviously very confused. Good luck!

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/

Click your language, under the windows logo with "64-bit" in the column. Then you will have the 64-bit version.

Edit: Also, if you open Task Manager, does it show "Firefox" or "Firefox (32-bit)"?

Edit: I said that you were confused, because what you claim was happening (installing a 64-bit program, rebooting, and having that program magically change into a 32-bit program), is basically impossible.

You do know, that 64-bit programs do NOT report "(64-bit)" in Task Manager, right? They just appear normally, and 32-bit programs have "(32-bit)" appended to their name.

Also, the installer for Firefox 64-bit doesn't have 64-bit in the filename. However, it's a full, direct install file. The 32-bit version of Firefox (What is served up by default, regardless of whether you have a 64-bit or 32-bit OS), comes in a "stub" installer, that then downloads and installs the full program.

 

[vailr]

http://archive.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/48.0.2/

 

[bruceb]

You can get the full Mozilla Firefox installers here: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/
You just need to select the Language and what OS you want it for, as well as 32 or 64 bit version

 

[VirtualLarry]

If nothing else, try out https://www.waterfoxproject.org/

 

[Ketchup]

When I had the 64-bit version on a VM for a bit (this was several months ago), I remember a few things:
1. it does not remove the 32-bit version
2. the 32-bit shortcut doesn't change, so I had to proactively create a new one
3. the running app name in task manager doesn't say 64-bit. But it doesn't say 32-bit, which let me know what version I was running
4. there was no noticeable difference, and I am still running the 32-bit version today

 

[VirtualLarry]

was this ever resolved?

 

[fritzfield]

I don't really know. In Help > troubleshooting information > UserAgent I get this line :

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; WOW64; rv:49.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/49.0

According to Mozilla Support, WOW64 means 32 bit Firefox running on a 64 bit OS where it should be Win64; x64

How do I get the 64 bit Firefox to "stay" Win64; x64 as opposed to returning to the WOW64 every time I download the 64 bit version?

Thanks again

 

[VirtualLarry]

Hmm.

Mine is:
"Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; Win64; x64; rv:49.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/49.0"

I'm curious. If you go to

"about:prefs"

, is there a useragent.override set? I'm wondering if there is a string set as an override in your profile somewhere, that overrides the app's default string.

Also, I'm wondering if you're running the wrong shortcut to the browser. Like maybe the 32-bit version is "Set as Default", and when you install the 64-bit version, and after it installs, it prompts you to "Start Firefox", and it shows up as 64-bit, but then when you close it, and then click on a link, which opens the system default browser, maybe it fires up the 32-bit version.

Also, when you first install it, and it is showing as 64-bit (according to your observations), can you please open Task Manager, and click on the "Processes" tab, and see if the application is showing as "Firefox.exe" or "Firefox.exe (32-bit)"?

Then close it and re-open it, and check Task Manager again.

And please let us know the results.

If it's NOT showing "Firefox.exe (32-bit)" (in Task Manager), but IS showing "WOW64" in the UserAgent string, then that strongly suggests a prefs issue.

 

[fritzfield]

Your suggestions worked. Task manager did indeed show firefox(32) as did the shortcuts. I deleted Firefox and all the shortcuts and now I have the 64 bit. If it disappears again, I will post another reply.

Thanks for your help.