How to go from 32bit to 64bit version?

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Clued2it
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How to go from 32bit to 64bit version?

Post by Clued2it »

My Thunderbird automatically updated itself to v.91.1.1 32bit. Previously I had the 32bit version of TB 78, but I would like to safely change up to the 64 bit version. Would you please tell me how I would go about making this change? I am on the release channel.
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tanstaafl
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Re: How to go from 32bit to 64bit version?

Post by tanstaafl »

Download the 64 bit setup for 91.1.1 from https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/ and install it over the existing 32 bit version. As long as you install it in the same directory the Lock= statement in your profiles.ini file is still valid and Thunderbird will continue to default to the same profile.

You can uninstall the 32 bit version first. Just don't check the checkbox to remove your data.
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Clued2it
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Re: How to go from 32bit to 64bit version?

Post by Clued2it »

Thank you for the reply. Do I understand correctly that I should install the 64 bit version in the same directory (C:\Program Files (x86)) with either one of the two methods?
Also I'm wondering where my profiles.ini file is.

EDIT: I chose to uninstall Thunderbird first and the immediately reinstalled the 64 bit version. I wasn't asked to preserve my data, but thankfully it was preserved. The 64 bit version of Thunderbird was installed in the "C:\Program Files" directory. The end result is that I have the 64 bit version installed and my Thunderbird data is intact.

P.S. I still don't know where the profiles.ini file is located!
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tanstaafl
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Re: How to go from 32bit to 64bit version?

Post by tanstaafl »

The profiles.ini file is located in C:\Users\windows_user_name\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird . That is a couple of directories above where most people have their profile, but part of the same directory tree.
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Clued2it
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Re: How to go from 32bit to 64bit version?

Post by Clued2it »

tanstaafl wrote:The profiles.ini file is located in C:\Users\windows_user_name\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird . That is a couple of directories above where most people have their profile, but part of the same directory tree.
Thank you for pointing it out to me.
DN123ABC
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Re: How to go from 32bit to 64bit version?

Post by DN123ABC »

These are the bugs preventing it from happening:

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=634233

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1556748

At this point, it is not a technical decision, just the whim of somebody with an ego.
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tanstaafl
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Re: How to go from 32bit to 64bit version?

Post by tanstaafl »

Windows 64 was officially supported the day they made the 64-bit builds available on the thunderbird.net web site. One holdup for supporting migrating from 32-bit to 64-bit as part of auto-update is that nobody ported the Firefox Windows stub installer to Thunderbird yet.

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1558573
DN123ABC
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Re: How to go from 32bit to 64bit version?

Post by DN123ABC »

tanstaafl wrote:Windows 64 was officially supported the day they made the 64-bit builds available on the thunderbird.net web site. One holdup for supporting migrating from 32-bit to 64-bit as part of auto-update is that nobody ported the Firefox Windows stub installer to Thunderbird yet.

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1558573
From Bug 634233 above (8 months ago):
"I don't see why the stub installer should be a prerequisite to the migration. All it does is make the initial download smaller for end users and figure out whether to grab the 32bit or 64bit full installer. AIUI, the website is being updated to make the 64 bit installer the default rather than the 32bit. It effectively accomplishes the same thing."


From Bug 1556748 above (8 months ago):
"Rob, I'm reevaluating whether we have any outstanding issues in bug 634233, etc. Assuming we find nothing major, and after retesting various scenarios users might encounter ...

For beta, what do you think about doing this during the 87 beta cycle, i.e. in March? (not at release, but during the cycle)
For release, what do you think about doing this ~8 weeks later during the 78.10, i.e in May. (not at release, but during the cycle)"
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tanstaafl
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Re: How to go from 32bit to 64bit version?

Post by tanstaafl »

Yes, I'm aware they could eliminate using the stub installer. But they didn't make the changes to do that either.

My point is that the problem is not being held up just due to somebodies whim, they need to make some code changes and fixing the problem seems to be a low priority. There are lots of bug reports that could be fixed with quick simple changes but they're delayed for years because the developers focus is elsewhere. Sometimes the delay is because they're cautious and don't see the need to take the risk yet. 64-bit builds were available unofficially (with caveats about use at your own risk because its untested etc.) for years before they became officially available on thunderbird.net .
DN123ABC
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Re: How to go from 32bit to 64bit version?

Post by DN123ABC »

tanstaafl wrote:Windows 64 was officially supported the day they made the 64-bit builds available on the thunderbird.net web site. One holdup for supporting migrating from 32-bit to 64-bit as part of auto-update is that nobody ported the Firefox Windows stub installer to Thunderbird yet.

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1558573
Then why isn't the bug which makes it "official" fixed? There is no code to write, and no bugs blocking it.

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=634233
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tanstaafl
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Re: How to go from 32bit to 64bit version?

Post by tanstaafl »

No idea. I've run across several 15 year old bug reports that are still NEW. I don't think you fully appreciate how messed up their bug database is.
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