Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

How to run on demand the 32-bit version of Firefox after the 56.0.1 update?

  • No replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 9 views
Picotin
Picotin
more options

I used to run both 32-bit and 64-bit builds of Firefox (under Windows 7 64-bit), by using different shortcuts pointing to their different installation folders (ProgramFiles and ProgramFiles(x86)). Since the 56.0.1 update, the x86 shortcut ends up launching the 64-bit version. Looking at the executable, it appears that the 64-bit build was installed into the x86 folder, replacing the 32-bit build. This obviously defeats Windows’ scheme of having separate folders for 32-bit builds and 64-bit builds, and that strikes me as poorly thought out. In any case, I want to restore the ability of running both builds, on demand.

If I reinstall the 32-bit build as advised on support page "https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/64-bit-migration-opt-out", then:

   (1) Can this be an installation over the existing 56.0.1 installation (64-bit build in the x86 folder as described above)? Or is prior uninstallation required?

   (2) Will installing the 56.0.1 32-bit version have any effect on the original 64-bit version (in the 64-bit folder, still at version 56.0)? For example, causing it to be uninstalled, or to stop working, or to stop being updated, etc.?

Thank you.

I used to run both 32-bit and 64-bit builds of Firefox (under Windows 7 64-bit), by using different shortcuts pointing to their different installation folders (ProgramFiles and ProgramFiles(x86)). Since the 56.0.1 update, the x86 shortcut ends up launching the 64-bit version. Looking at the executable, it appears that the 64-bit build was installed into the x86 folder, replacing the 32-bit build. This obviously defeats Windows’ scheme of having separate folders for 32-bit builds and 64-bit builds, and that strikes me as poorly thought out. In any case, I want to restore the ability of running both builds, on demand. If I reinstall the 32-bit build as advised on support page "https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/64-bit-migration-opt-out", then:    (1) Can this be an installation over the existing 56.0.1 installation (64-bit build in the x86 folder as described above)? Or is prior uninstallation required?    (2) Will installing the 56.0.1 32-bit version have any effect on the original 64-bit version (in the 64-bit folder, still at version 56.0)? For example, causing it to be uninstalled, or to stop working, or to stop being updated, etc.? Thank you.

Modified by Picotin