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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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I also have windows 7/64 bit and I have been using the VLC media player for 6 months now. I love it. No complaints, and it runs just about any type of video file I have thrown at it. It plays rented dvds. It plays mp4, flv, wmv, and more. I have no complaints with it. It's free to download, and very user friendly.
Just google "vlc media player" and you should be able to easily find the web address where you can download it.
Good luck!
hey bk,
on se7en x64 pro i use "the kmplayer" and (mpclassic) media player classic-home cinema x64, as it will decode or recode, whatever you call it, on the fly if you have enough processor. both work on dvd's for me. i only have wmp on my system because of needed functionality it lends to another program i wanted to keep when i vlited my os before installation.
hope this helps
Synctoy link is broken. It is now at 2.1 I think. Link is http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=C26EFA36-98E0-4EE9-A7C5-98D0592D8C52
Hi everyone,
I have a 64-bit operating system and I urgently need a compatible program for language reading so that the program basically converts text to speech and "reads" the text to me.
The language must be German.
Is there anyone who can help me? Thanks
I have used "Foxit" as a PDF reader for several years now and it's biggest attraction is space. It is a compact program consisting of only 7.2mb in total compared with other top PDF programs that, on average, require anything from 35mb upwards (eg. adobe is approx. 85.6mb). It works equally well on both 32bit and 64bit systems and has a stand alone edition that can be run from USB. If you are short of disk space then this is ideal for use. It is at least worth one of your reviews, you won't use anything else....
Ston7fish
I use and love Foxit PDF Reader.
The absolute best free PDF Reader is Nitro Free Version. You and extract images from it, drap and drop any other file on to the icon and it converts them into PDF's. It's light on resources, and for a free feature set, can't be beat. Who in their right mind uses Adobe Bloatware anymore? The only necessary adobe anything is flash unfortunately. Hopefully it goes away soon.
For more basic viewing, it doesn't get any better than Sutmatra PDF.
SMPlayer is great, VLC too.
Synctoy that someone mentioned being broken? The prefect backup solution for me.
[edit] Commercial product promotion removed
This is a very good list. I have not used all of the software but my favs are on here
Avast
Superantispyware
Ccleaner
I have recently been test driving a program called Threatfire for realtime surfing prtection from malware. It seems to be a good program but it uses 50% of my cpu while it is running, in about two months I have used it, it has only found and removed one instance of malware. I have disabled it and will be uninstalling it due to its use of so much of my resources. I wonder if it has a memory leak of some sort.
thanks for your hard work you do here helping others
What's the best FREE duplicate file cleaner for Vista 64 bit? With so many to chose from, I need help! Thanks in advance...
There is a separate thread on duplicate file cleaners:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-duplicate-file-detector.htm
Top 2 choices seems to work with 64 bit systems although Duplicate Cleaner website states that they protect Program Files of 32 bit system. Auslogics Duplicate File Finder has 32 and 64 bit version.
Hope this helps
bodis
Thanks, bodis. I will check it out. :-)
Currently using under W7/64 Enterprise (6.1.7600):
- 7-zip 9.16.beta
- Namoroka (Firefox 3.6.3)
- Lanikai (Thunderbird 3.1.2)
- InfraRecorder 0.51.0.0
- Miranda 0.9.6 (requires run as administrator for some reason...)
- Comodo antivirus with Defense+ 5.0.163652.1142
Looking for:
- torrent (not satisfied with Halite)
- print 2 PDF (using Nitro PDF which has 64 bit printing engine, but program itself is 32 bit)
I'm open for suggestions... and someone might profit from this post...
Here's a little tool for getting rid of nag screen on update for Avira-
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Security-Related/NoNotifyAvira.shtml
As to 64 bit browsers the IE9 Beta is very good and runs Flash,where's Firfox couldn't ? But Firefox(32 bit)just keeps drawing me back with it's add ons.
thanks for the avira nag screen thing. i have the same problem with f/fox x32, i can't stay away long enough to give anything else much of a shot.
Goood .....great piece of work...helpes me a lot ....keep up the good work
Many thanks, Rik
Adobe released a preview version of x64 flash
http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2010/09/flash-player-square.html
Rik, What does this mean for switching to x64 browsers now? What is the situation to java etc.?
Thanks
Switching to a 64 bit browser still isn't a realistic option for many (me included.) I'm keeping a close eye on developments and will post anything interesting that I come across.
[Edit] Some sites will refuse to accept requests from 64 bit browsers, online banking being a prime example (at least here in the UK.) With things moving forward I need to retest things and will post an update as soon as I have it.
Rik
Forget to past the information that I was talking about.
If you want to correct the Disk Cleanup shortcut in the Start menu, follow these steps:
1.Click on Start, All Programs, Accessories, and then click on System Tools.
2.Right click on "Disk Cleanup" and from the context menu click on "Properties."
3.Change the Target to %SystemRoot%\system32\cleanmgr.exe.
4.Click on OK. If a UAC prompt appears, click on Continue or provide the appropriate credentials.
If you've automated Disk Cleanup, the correct path to use in your script is:
%WINDIR%\sysnative\cleanmgr.exe
%WINDIR%\sysnative\cleanmgr.exe will ensure that the correct version is executed as noted in the article. Thanks for your input, Rik.
This has been reported on elsewhere, but this guide sums it all up very neatly. Nice job. Rik
I was not thinking and made the following change, and then realized that it was for Windows 7 with 64 - and mine is 32.
Of course i did not write down the original string - could someone post that for me? thanks.
Hi,
It would help if you posted what you changed as I cannot see it.
Thanks,
Rik
As for a defrag program, I don't see IObit Smart Degrag or Auslogics Defrag in the list - they do a nice job.
The Iobit website is caution rated by WOT (Web Of Trust). We do not support or recommend products from any vendor whose site carries such a rating. The reasons for Iobit acquiring this status are well documented here and in other forums, and they will not be featured until the rating changes.
This triggered the spam filter when I posted it all together, so I'm trying separately. The Free Registry Defrag has also been a great program to use, but not on Windows 7! I used it and about 50% of the time, I had to reinstall. On XP and Vista it's terrific.
I have had nice results with the Comodo System Cleaner. It needs to be configured carefully, but works very well.
I don't know if it's been mentioned but there is a nice audio player called Small Player at http://sites.google.com/site/igorware/small-player. I like it anyway, very simple and clean.
Thanks, I'll take a look.
Rik
Tried Free Registry Defrag on a win7 pro x64 machine. It worked and did not hose my machine, I thought. However, after performing the defrag the boot time for the machine slowed down to a crawl. Fortunately I had done a restore point so I was able to put the machine back to where it was. This is not a 64 bit application (as far as I can tell) and even though it works it has a major side effect. I would not use this application for win 7 and I would take it out of the Win7 section of the site.