Mozilla Firefox has been one of the most popular web browsers ever since. But you may or may not have noticed that it was only offered as a 32-Bit application and not as a 64-bit application. But in December 2015, the Mozilla Engineers presented a 64-bit variant. So, if you are using a 64-bit version of Windows, it would be better to upgrade and take benefit of all its features. Most Windows laptops and PCs come preloaded with 64-bit Windows and Hardware. We have discussed why it would be better to use Firefox 64-bit variant in this post. But before we do that, let’s take a quick look at what is 32-bit and 64-bit?
What is the difference between 32-Bit and 64-Bit
32-Bit and 64-Bit are the terms related to your computer’s processor. The 64-Bit processors can access an enormous heap of memory and perform operations faster. They can perform several operations at a given time and come in multi-cores. But the most crucial difference is the maximum amount of RAM supported. The 32-Bit processors can only accommodate a RAM of up to 4 GBs, whereas a 64-Bit processor can go beyond it. More memory means more open applications at a time, faster loading speed, and the ability to run memory-intensive applications. You can check if your computer is 32-Bit or 64-Bit by right-clicking the ‘This PC’ icon and selecting Properties.
Why should you upgrade Firefox from 32-Bit to 64-Bit?
If you use a 64-Bit processor and a more significant RAM than 4 GB, upgrading your browser will give you a performance boost. If you are on a 32-Bit system or with fewer than 4 GB RAM, you should not consider upgrading. We usually have a lot of tabs opened on our computer, which makes our browser a memory-intensive application. So, more memory will result in faster operation of your computer.
Since 64 Bit applications have a larger pointer size, they tend to use more memory on your computer. But on the other side, they open access to vast amounts of RAM available. So, in a nutshell, upgrading to the 64-Bit variant can optimize performance and improve multitasking, and you can have 100s of tabs opened in your browser window.
There are a few missing features and parts, but developers are working on them, and the 64-Bit variant will be equivalent to its 32-Bit counterpart very soon.
How to switch to Firefox 64 bit
Upgrading your browser is very simple. You need to head over to Firefox’s download page and download the latest Firefox 64-Bit standalone installer setup. You can install it like any other application and start using it directly.
If you are already using a 32-Bit version, you need to install the 64-Bit variant before uninstalling the 32-Bit one. This way, you can preserve your bookmarks and settings.
There are some additional instructions for Microsoft Office Outlook users. Please change your default browser to Edge or Internet Explorer before the upgrade process to avoid the error with Hyperlinks. You can switch it back to Firefox when you are done with the upgrade.
From Firefox 56 onwards, you will automatically upgrade to the 64-Bit variant if your computer is eligible. The installer will also prioritize installing the 64-Bit variant to have more people using the newer variant.
What about you? Have you already switched to Firefox 64-Bit, or are you still using Firefox 32-Bit on your 64-Bit system?
Do 64-bit applications use more memory?
Yes, and it is not just the apps. The OS also needs more memory compared to the 64-bit. It is one of the requirements of any application written for 64-bit architecture. It can manage 16 exabytes of memory on paper if you put it on the PC.
How do I check if my Firefox browser is 62-bit or 32-bit?
Click on the menu icon, go to Help, and then About. It will display a small pop-up showing the 64-bit or 32-bit info along with the Firefox version number. If an update is available, you will be notified about it and then choose to update.
