Why is Firefox 32 bit version shown in Task manager when only the 64 bit version is shown in program files?
Does this mean the 64 bit version is not being used? If so, how do I correct this? Lenovo Y510P Ideapad desktop Windows 8.1 OS Firefox 45.0.2
All Replies (4)
The default installation directories for the 32 bit Firefox version are normally these:
- (32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
- (64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"
The 64 bit Firefox version would be installed in the "C:\Program Files\" location.
The 'WOW64' in the user agent shows that you use a 32 bit Firefox version.
- User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.3; WOW64; rv:45.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/45.0
If the 32 bit version also starts when you launch the program via the installation folder via Windows Explorer then it sounds that a 32 bit Firefox version is already running or that you installed the 32 bit version in the 64 bit location for the program.
Note that only the Shockwave Flash plugin and Silverlight plugins are enabled for 64 bit Firefox versions for Windows. If you need to use other plugins like Java or media players then you need to install the 32 bit Firefox release.
If you download Firefox from say www.mozilla.org then Windows users gets the 32-bit version even if you have 64-bit Windows 7, 8 (8.1), or 10. If you wanted the 64-bit (Win64) version then go to the Systems & Languages link which is www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/
Dear cor-el and james - Thank you for your quick replies. I read and understood your replies, and went and checked again.
In my "C:\Program Files\ there is NO Mozilla folder or item, or no Firefox item (I have made certain that there are no hidden files) In my C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\ there is one application, and its info is v. 45.0.2
When I checked all the programs in my Control Panel/Programs/Uninstall or Change area, there are only two programs from the publisher Mozilla: Firefox 45.0.2 (x86-en US) and Mozilla Maintenance Service
Searching for files through Lenovo Start Menu search box brought up no further items. I am going to try a search through Windows, and see if the 32bit version is found somewhere odd.
If I find it, do I need to un-install it in order to get the 64bit version to work? How can I install if it doesn't appear on my Uninstall Program list?
Firefox installed in "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\" is the 32 bit Firefox version like posted above. The Mozilla Maintenance Service is only installed once and handles downloading and installing updates in the background.