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Best Free Windows 64-bit Software
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Best Free Windows 64-bit Software - Page Index
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 8. Internet and eMail |
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Best Free Windows 64-bit Browser
Now is a good time to try a 64-bit browser. Just don't get rid of your 32-bit browser until you are sure that you can do without it.
64-bit versions of Windows Vista, 7 and 8 include both the 32 and 64-bit versions of Internet Explorer, version 8 in the case of Windows 7, version 10 for Windows 8. The 32-bit versions of Firefox, Google Chrome, and Opera also work without a hitch under both operating systems.
For a many months I have used all the browsers. I rate them similarly to the 32-bit versions (see Best Free Web Browser). Although my personal preference is for Firefox and its derivatives, your preference is likely to be determined by what you use in a 32-bit version. On my systems, the 64-bit versions seem smoother and faster than the 32-bit versions when running on 64-bit Windows but they are usually no faster than their 32-bit versions running on 32-bit Windows.
The issues are the same for all 64-bit versions, they use more memory and they may not be able to run your favourite 32-bit add-on or plug-in. However, the main roadblocks to using 64-bit browsers have been removed:
- the software is much more stable and delivers noticeable improvements in performance;
- many add-ons are available
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plug-ins are now available for download in 64-bit versions:
- Adobe's Flash Player
- Sun's Java Runtime Environment for Firefox and Internet Explorer
- Microsoft Silverlight 5 RC Developer Runtime (x64) for Windows
- There is now a real choice with four 64-bit web browsers: Internet Explore, Opera and the Firefox-derived Pale Moon and Waterfox.
Pale Moon is a fast version of Firefox optimized to run on newer hardware. Speed is increased by optimizing the compiled program through removing support for older processors, utilising the features of newer processors, and configuring some features differently. The main difference you will notice is that the user interface is slightly different retaining some of the older placements.
Compatibility is maintained by using only 'unmodified Firefox code' but removing some 'less useful' features which don't affect the ability to display web pages correctly. Useful features that are removed are: accessibility features - if you need them you won't want this browser; and parental controls - see Best Free Internet Safety Check which describes how parental controls improve browsing safety. You will also lose crash support because Pale Moon does not have the same infrastructure as Firefox.
Pale Moon installation was easy but a separate utility has to be downloaded to migrate my Firefox settings. One benefit of 100% Firefox source code is that I can use Firefox Sync which synchronizes Firefox history, bookmarks, etc on different platforms. I'm using it to synchronize 32-bit Firefox, 64-bit Firefox and 64-bit Pale Moon so I don't lose any of my work while I'm evaluating them.
Waterfox, like Pale Moon, is an optimized 64-bit version of Firefox that doesn't remove major components. It appears to be faster than Pale Moon but has one annoying feature:"Waterfox uses the same profile that Firefox does. If you uninstall Waterfox make sure you don't have the remove personal data box ticked!".
Opera might well be my main browser if it wasn't so aggressive at making itself the default. With smaller market share, I guess that they try harder to overcome conservatism and inertia that keeps Opera off more desktops.
While Internet Explorer 64-bit is a very good browser, I don't using it much because I have had more problems with the websites I rely upon and work on. Even so, I enjoyed using it as it was also noticeably smoother and faster than the 32-bit version.
Even with four 64-bit browsers to choos from, 32-bit Chrome Chrome is still a very attractive product with features that you might consider essential like multiple user profiles.
Best Free Windows 64-bit Email
Microsoft offer no real 64-bit solution for the latest versions of Windows:
- Windows 8 Mail is a Modern UI application but it is very limited. If you use it, you will have to complement it with webmail or another email program.
- Windows 7 does not include an email client.
- Windows Vista 64 has a 64-bit version of Windows Mail which makes it Microsoft's only competent 64-bit email client.
Thunderbird is our recommended client for the 32-bit Windows desktop but Mozilla's only 64-bit version is the unsupported beta Earlybird. It is good enough to use but be warned that you may strike problems although I haven't ... yet.
Unfortunately, moving from your existing email client to 64-bit Thunderbird 3 can be quite a challenge. Users moving from Thunderbird 2 under Windows 7 and Vista 64 will need to use two third party freeware products, MozBackup and MailStore Home. Migration from Outlook is relatively simple under Vista 64 using the import function. This approach doesn't work under Windows 7 due to changes in the registration of MAPI entries which no one appears to want to acknowledge or address.
Version numbers match Firefox versions.
Further Resources:
Migration Tools
Technical Details for CPU compatibility and excluded Firefox features
Requires 5.5 MB download of 64-bit Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable
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Comments
I can't see how it would work following a standard image and then restore. Perhaps I'm missing something?
Rik
IMHO, defragmenting everyday with Defraggler is not a good idea if you use MyDefrag or JKdefrag. Nor is using any other defragmenter. It completely ruins the optimization that JKdefrag peforms by rearranging the files and filling in the much needed gaps that were set up. This actually causes more fragmentation, slower disk performance for Windows, and a lot more wear and tare on the hard drive. The author of JKdefrag says that defragmenting once a week is plenty.
With that said, I am having doubts about whether Mydefrag actually optimizes the way JKdefrag used to. Whenever it is finished I see a completely filled in hard drive with no gaps and many "space hogs" at the front of the disk. Looks like old-school Windows defrag to me! I haven't had a chance to visit their forums about this yet but I'm thinking of just using the old JKdefragGUI in XP mode, or trying to adapt it's scripts to MyDefrag format.
I have to say it's worth it. Discovering Jkdefrag might have been the single biggest boost in performance my system has ever seen. I really have no need for constant system upgrades anymore with tools like these.
The app you use is a matter of personal taste although MyDefrag is, I believe, a better choice. As you point out, using two such tools is NOT a good idea.
Thanks for your valuable input.
Rik
I am running Minefield Firefox beta with 64 bit Flash plugin, available at Adobe as: flashplayer10_2_p3_64bit_plugin_111710. This is experiential but works fine.
I would agree.
Rik
My 2 cents: I believe that Malwarebytes should rank a little higher. That software has bailed me out couple times and especially when a trojan took away my admin rights. It was the only one that was able to eliminate the threat and restored my pc rights.
Glad it worked out for you unfortunately that is not how antivirus software is tested and would be a very blind way to go about it. Look for sites that test all kinds of AV software, look at their data and results and compare them with all the listed AV programs. The major thing to look out for is failed results, that is the key detail that determines a good AV vs a bad one.
Me personally I use Microsoft Security Essentials why?
Because:
1. It's light on system resources and free for life.
2. Actually 64bit unlike most claims made by top antivirus software.
3. Fast scanning.
4. Virus definitions updated daily.
5. 99% detection rate well at least I have yet to see it fail.
Things I don't like about it:
1. Constant beta state.
2. Updater doesn't work as it should you have better luck with schedules.
3. Anti-spyware kind of sucks, kills your resources if you have it on auto and are doing multiple things.
4. Its not designed with all the kinks and eye candy in mind, so it lacks allot of major security additions but being lightweight and free makes it worth the price point. If all you need is a solid AV then MSE should fit the budget.
Remember that the review is based on side by side evaluation. Frankly, this is no substitute for personal experience.
Thanks for the valuable feedback.
Rik
- sir what is much better? windows 7 32-bit or windows 7 64-bit? tnx.
'Better' in a PC sense is difficult to quantify. Personally, having switched to 64 bit Windows and Linux, I wouldn't move back.
Best regards,
Rik
Good review... thanks it help us a lot in understnding the Win7 x 64
Those of you who are "computer experts" and tried to remove it manually by deleting all the traces it leaves in the system (files, registry, DLLs, etc.) and failed don't feel too bad, you are not alone, it is known that removing it is a very hard task, since in that aspect it does a great job in preventing an easy uninstall.
Generally removing software using Windows features is the best approach as you point out. Sometimes this doesn't work so knowing your 'way around' the system is a valuable skill.
Rik
This is a great list. As for me, I will be getting a Computer running a 64 bit OS and so this information prepares me for the unseen and unknown. Thanks a million!
Have you tried Foxit reader (pdf-reader)?
Sorry for the delay in replying I have been unwell.
I have tried Foxit and found a serious bug which is still with the developers.
Rik
What serious bug in FoxIt Reader? I've been using it for years without problems. PDFXChange is not much of an alternative to the bloated Adobe PDF Reader. For example, PDFXChange uses a whopping 96MB of memory (91MB above baseline) just to display a 696KB PDF file compared to FoxIt at only 11MB (3MB above baseline).
Eusing Free Registry Cleaner is also as safe as CCleaner but removes far more junk over that of unsafe-to-use commercial registry cleaners. I run CCleaner, Eusing and PowerTools Lite (in that order, from weakest to strongest).
File Splitters / Joiners
As of 11/11 Version 3 of HJSplit is available, and it now plays nice with Win7/64:
freebyte.com/hjsplit/
I prefer IgorWare's File Joiner for joining, and there is a 64 bit version:
igorware.com/file-joiner
Both are fully portable (no installer).
Regards,
Alan
Great stuff...except cmon, registry fix it / speed it up tools?
They only benefit two groups of people. Those that sell them and techs that get to fix systems they have been run on.
You can do a better job manually although it requires considerable effort and technical knowledge. It is something I only do every 3 months or so.
Rik
Very true. Brings back lots of happy memories of the money made servicing computers completely trashed by these things. RegSeeker was favourite at the time I was doing this. Even better, a lot of folks would be back inside a month with the same problem :D It seems that the only good advice is that which you choose to take.
you guys should not laugh at the less fortunate who still believe in the tooth fair... i mean registry optimizers. kind of reminds me of snake-oil salesmen.
Sorry for being away, hospital is great fun :)
Frankly I never use them. I don't really trust such apps and can do a better job myself, sad as that might seem!
Rik
No browser can match the functionality of Opera which works perfectly under 64 bit Windows and always has. There are a very few sites that don't work with it, but this is getting much rarer since Opera is now the most common browser on handhelds and tablets. For these sites, IE is the backup.
I use 7-zip which is perfect. The Everything Search Engine is a must, but is more annoying in Win 7 than in prev Windows - everytime you use it it asks if you want to install. Comodo Security worked very well until the latest updates, which clash with all sorts of stuff - burning software, ISO mounting software, you name it's a nightmare. COMODO is unfortunately too restrictive to be practical. I've pulled it. And I'm quite a geek, so it would drive average users mad.
Opera is out of its league when compared to Firefox or IE although I appreciate that choosing a browser is a very personal thing.
Comodo works fine on all the PCs I have installed it on so you might want to look at other possible causes for the problems you have.
Rik
Choosing a browser is a very personal thing. I do use Opera for testing purposes. It is a solid, well designed, and well written application.
Many thanks for the feedback.
Rik
to felixnoir,
search everything does not do that to me (thankfully) se7en x64 pro. as for comodo, until i learned how to finesse the settings it use to give me the blues big time. i use imageburn and ultra-iso, and of course 7-zip for manipulating .iso files and comodo hasn't bothered them ...yet
i also use nero essentials that came with all my burners and no problems. it's a shame about search everything and comodo for that matter. i actually have these on se7en x32 & x64 enterprise as well. maybe it's something on your end.
good luck
There is 64 bit versions of CCleaner at last (version 3):
http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner
Go to the builds page to get portable / U3 versions:
http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/builds
It is running fine on my machine, though I'm not sure what 64 bit brings to the party. No doubt Rik does :)
Regards,
Alan
Alan,
At the moment I can't claim to know what it brings to the party either! I'll look into it and post back.
Rik
I desperately need a DVD player program for W7-64. The MS WMP doesn't consistently play my rented DVDs. It complains that I need to re-size my screen resolution. I would like an alternative. What do you recommend?
Thanks,
BK