Were all Firefox's updates 32-bits?
I was on Mozilla plug-in page that said I was using an older version and to update. I normally update from a different area where I click on a question mark and it takes me right to the update box that said it was up to date, My Avast program said the same thing for up-to-date software. But I updated it anyway and it wasn't until it installed that it said 51.0 (32-bit). Now my updates, that I remember, never said what *bit* it was before. I have a 64-bit operating system (Windows 8.1). Have all the updates been 32 bits? Because I read where 32 bits do not hold enough ram. I don't want things to slow down, especially movies I watch. I couldn't find the last version I had to go back to it since I'm worried I may have installed the wrong thing. Though I read on a Mozilla support page that Only Flash plug-ins and Silverlight plug-ins work with 64-bit. If that's the case then maybe all my installs have been 32 bits since I have Flash, Adobe Reader, Java and a few other plug-ins that work with certain systems installed in my computer and so far all those plug-ins work. So I'm just a little confused. I did go to the What's New section where I update and was able to click on a list for all Firefox releases but they only have the recent version that I just downloaded, not the last one I had in case I need to go back to it. If that's the case I need also to find out how to go back to that latest version. I'll be going to work soon and see what happens there to see what our computers update too. Thanks to anyone that can clear this up for me.
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hi Debrajean, it's the first time that we are showing in the about firefox panel if you are using 32bit or 64bit versions of the browser. so far, the main download page only offered 32bit installers so you have probably always used that build. now that we are going to drop support for all npapi plugins except flash in 32bit versions soon as well, we will look into moving more eligible users over to win64 builds. making it more prominent what version you're using in the about-panel is one of the first steps into that direction...
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hi Debrajean, it's the first time that we are showing in the about firefox panel if you are using 32bit or 64bit versions of the browser. so far, the main download page only offered 32bit installers so you have probably always used that build. now that we are going to drop support for all npapi plugins except flash in 32bit versions soon as well, we will look into moving more eligible users over to win64 builds. making it more prominent what version you're using in the about-panel is one of the first steps into that direction...
Okay, thanks, Philipp. But now you raised another question for me when you said Firefox is dropping support for all npapi plugins. What is npapi? Now I do have Flash but what does that mean for my Adobe Reader and Java plug-ins then if I stay with 32-bit? Are they npapi, whatever that means? Also my computer system installed certain Intel plug-ins and there were a few others I have that came with other installed systems. Will they not work in 32 bit either? If in the future we are given a choice and I pick 64-bit download does that mean all plug-ins will work in that? This is the first time I heard about this. I'm not a techy person and changes always worry me if something doesn't run right in my computer. Thanks again!
the adobe flash plugin will be the only plugin still supported out of the ones you have listed starting with Firefox 52.0 - regardless if you are using a 32bit or 64bit build of firefox... https://blog.mozilla.org/futurereleases/2015/10/08/npapi-plugins-in-firefox/
most of the plugins probably don't provide any benefit anyway & java in the browser is a constant source of vulnerabilities :-/
I was always told that you had to have plug-ins such as Adobe Flash and java (especially Java) to run movies, games and such. I don't do games but I do watch movies. You're going to keep Flash but then what happens if I'm watching movies and it's because I no longer have Java? Bear with me on this because I'm having a hard time understanding what you're supposed to do if movies don't work. Do I still go to the Java website itself and do something from there? I read the link you sent and still was mystified by it all. I just my computer to run fine and watch movies when I want too. Unless Java has nothing to do with that part at all. Then if you ever stop supporting Adobe Flash there may be issues there as well. Thanks for putting up with the questions and for giving me answers.
Debrajean said
I was always told that you had to have plug-ins such as Adobe Flash and java (especially Java) to run movies, games and such. I don't do games but I do watch movies. ...
Yes, in the past.
Web browsers and the internet are moving away from using Plugins for multi-media and audio / video files. HTML5 specs include support built-in to the web browser for audio / video content, which in the past was handled by Flash, Silverlight, and a few other less well known formats.
HTML5 Audio / Video built into the web browser is known as a "native solution" - doesn't rely upon any external programs being installed and doesn't require any Plugins.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/HTML5 "The latest stable release of HTML, HTML5 takes HTML from a simple markup for structuring a document to a full app development platform. Among other features, HTML5 includes new elements and JavaScript APIs to enhance storage, multimedia, and hardware access."
Thanks the-edmeister, I guess as long as that means everything will still work properly I'm okay. I really have no one to help me when technical problems crop up and this venue is about all I can think of to go to with questions. Even though sometimes I don't understand the jargon used. LOL! My cousin used to be able to help me as he worked on computers but I now have a new all-in-one which he has never worked on before so that leaves me hanging. I've copied down the info just for future reference but if whoever runs their websites is working with Mozilla for transitioning I hope that means things will go well. Thanks again!
For Windows users the 32-bit Firefox is served on www.mozilla.org however if you go to the other systems &languages page www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ page then you can download the 64-bit (Win64) build.
Note the Win64 Firefox requires 64-bit Windows 7, 8 (8.1 ), 10 and only the 64-bit Flash Player and Silverlight Plugins are white listed to run as other Plugins will not run.
The Java Plugin is not used much now days by most regular users and the separate Java Plugin is not needed for the JavaScript in Firefox to work as some mistake due to the word Java in names.
Τροποποιήθηκε στις από το χρήστη James
Thanks James, I had gone to that other page and saw where you had the choice to download that 64-bit which my operating system is. But I'm a dinosaur and will wait til I believe it's going to be update 52, then I guess only Flash and Silverlight plug-ins will work. As long as I won't have trouble with my computer and watching TV shows or movies, I'll be happy. LOL! Today something strange happened as I turned on my computer it popped up with a Firefox update before I opened my browser up. I said yes figuring Mozilla was doing it again. Well this time it screwed up. After it supposedly updated my shortcut wouldn't work. And it wasn't in my downloaded programs anymore either. Had to go to IE to re-load Firefox with the new version. I hate it when I have extra work to do (sighs here). Anyway, thanks again James