When it comes to web browsers on Windows, both Google Chrome and Internet Explorer had been offering 64-bit web browsing experience for quite a while. Mozilla Firefox, on the other hand, had remained firm on 32 bit until now.
However, all of that has changed, and now, Mozilla Firefox on Windows is finally 64 bit. The latest version of Firefox for Windows is 64 bit, and it can take advantage of the latest hardware that your machine has, as long as you are running Windows 7 or higher.
As the end user, what does this mean for you? To be frank, the web browser in itself will not offer any noticeable advantage in terms of speed of operation. However, you do get better security features, better app compatibility and various other features that 32 bit browsers do not offer otherwise.
Other than that, Firefox for Windows also offers certain other new features: you can block many other web trackers under the Private Browsing session, and also choose search suggestions whilst typing in the address bar. For users of touchscreen devices, Firefox for Windows now brings up the keyboard right when you need it.
While the new set of features is indeed an impressive lot, Firefox for Windows still trails behind Google Chrome in terms of popularity, and it surely has a lot of catching up to do. Considering the fact that Firefox is realizing the importance of touchscreen devices and making UX changes accordingly, Firefox does have a chance of gaining a bigger market share and establishing itself as a viable web browser for the apex spot.
You can download and install Firefox 64 bit for Windows from this page.
What do you think of the latest version of Firefox? Given it a spin yet? Share your views in the comments below!
I think Firefox has always performed better than Chrome. Firefox rarely crashes unlike Chrome. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen that “Oh Snap!” Durrrr face dialog. Other times Chrome inexplicable takes for ever to load all pages regardless of internet speed and connectivity. I don’t know why developers and the general public still blindly think it’s somehow better than Firefox.
Firefox looks nicer too. Open them sideby side and Chrome looks quite bad. Fonts are blurry and everything is faded somewhat.
Also the Firefox Dev Tools are seriously better. The Developer Edition has everything I need and more.
Worst browser: Safari.