Windows 64bit, update

[jtruchon]

Hello;

I've just installed the ver 60.0 (64bit) and was wondering if/when there is an update, will the 64 bit version update automatically or will I have to do a manual update?

Thanks

[tanstaafl]

It depends upon where you got the 64 bit build for Windows from, which determines what "channel" its on. I installed a 64 bit build from http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/thunderbird/ ... n64/en-US/ and was surprised that it was on the "release" channel. I'm used to 64 bit builds for windows only being available on the "daily" channel. I uninstalled my copy of version 60, and downloaded a fresh copy from https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/ . It installed a 32 bit build. So, I'm confused why the one from ftp.mozilla.org is using the release channel.

If you're using the daily channel you may get daily automated updates. If you're using the release channel you should get a automated update when the next minor version is released. However, they sometimes stagger releases via the normal update mechanism for a few days to see if there are lots of problems, and if it looks good then allow everybody to do an update. You can normally bypass that by using help -> about Mozilla Thunderbird, which will force a check for updates.

The user agent string in help -> troubleshooting is Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:60.0) Gecko/20100101 Thunderbird/60.0 for the 64 bit build and Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; WOW64; rv:60.0) Gecko/20100101 Thunderbird/60.0 for the 32 bit build. Help -> troubleshooting information also lists what channel is used.

[jtruchon]

tanstaafl,

Thanks for the very helpful response.

[pete of ebor]

just a query... I have downloaded TB60 64bit from the link above, but not installed it yet. Should I uninstall my existing TB60 32bit before installing the 64 bit version ? Will the new 64 bit version use the existing 32 bit profile or will it create a new profile ?

[DanRaisch]

Should I uninstall my existing TB60 32bit before installing the 64 bit version ?

It's not absolutely necessary but uninstalling the older version before installing a newer (or different) version is a good idea.

Will the new 64 bit version use the existing 32 bit profile or will it create a new profile ?

Only the program itself has a 32bit or 64bit version. There is no difference between profiles used under 32bit or 64bit programs. A new version will use the existing profile.

Download a new copy of the full installer from http://www.mozillamessaging.com/en-US/thunderbird/all
Delete the directory C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird
Run the installer.

Note that your saved messages, address books, settings, passwords, etc (if any) are stored in a different directory from the program files and will not be removed by deleting the directory identified above.

This thread http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic ... 5#p5239885 has a more detailed version of the above instructions if needed.

[jtruchon]

I found (and probably the default for most Windows users) the 32bit version was installed in "C:\Program Files (x86)" and the 64bit installed in "C:\Program Files" I just left the 32bit version installed until I was sure the 64bit was working OK. It is, so I have uninstalled the 32bit version

[randyandy]

Good day,. First off I hope I'm in the right lineup to place my post. I have version 52.9 1(32 bit) installed. I discovered in File Hippo that version 60 is released. Now here is my problem. When I go through the usual exercise of checking for updates from the drop down menu : Help and click on About Thunderbird, I get 'Thunderbird is up to date'.
Any suggestions as to why my Thunderbird fails to engage the new ver 60 update?
Any help will be appreciated.

[tanstaafl]

They decided to not enable automated updates yet, requiring you to download the setup program from the web site (https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/). The Thunderbird Council status meeting notes don't mention anything but I suspect it was to minimize the effect of the limited number of add-ons that have added support for version 60 so far. If you are a new user then they don't have to worry about you getting annoyed because your favorite add-on no longer works. Hopefully now that 60 has been released that will encourage other add-on authors to update their add-ons to work with version 60.

They frequently partially rolling out a update and wait to see what the reaction was before rolling it out for everybody. So whats being done for 60 is not that different.

FileHippo has a history of bundling custom installers, adware, and crapware though I've lost track of whether they've improved. I suggest you stick with the official web site.
https://www.maketecheasier.com/websites ... -software/

[James]

Now here is my problem. When I go through the usual exercise of checking for updates from the drop down menu : Help and click on About Thunderbird, I get 'Thunderbird is up to date'.
Any suggestions as to why my Thunderbird fails to engage the new ver 60 update?.

From https://www.thunderbird.net/thunderbird ... easenotes/ which is listed below the green button on https://www.thunderbird.net/

Thunderbird version 60.0 is only offered as direct download from thunderbird.net and not as upgrade from Thunderbird version 52 or earlier. A future version 60.1 will provide updates from earlier versions.

However if you want to give Win64 Thunderbird a try instead of normal 32-bit Thunderbird for Windows.
http://archive.mozilla.org/pub/thunderb ... 0.0/win64/

[randyandy]

tanstaff and James, Thanks for the explanation and suggestions. Now that I know what the score is I'll patiently wait for V 60 when it becomes available via my Thunderbird 'check for updates' function on the menu.

I use File Hippo only as a daily guide to check for new product versions and then where applicable turn to the official source for the actual download and install.

In the meantime I'm content with Thunderbird 59.2 ,
Regards.

[wsmwk]

They decided to not enable automated updates yet, requiring you to download the setup program from the web site (https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/). The Thunderbird Council status meeting notes don't mention anything but I suspect it was to minimize the effect of the limited number of add-ons that have added support for version 60 so far. If you are a new user then they don't have to worry about you getting annoyed because your favorite add-on no longer works. Hopefully now that 60 has been released that will encourage other add-on authors to update their add-ons to work with version 60.

They frequently partially rolling out a update and wait to see what the reaction was before rolling it out for everybody. So whats being done for 60 is not that different.

Going in reverse order...

Yes, in the initial weeks of new big releases, user access is normally heavily metered/throttled/restricted (whatever word you want to use) so the team can get a sense of what problems remain that were not found in a beta population of about 70,000 users, before making it available to 25 million users. That is even more important with 60 because of significant changes in the area of add-ons (incompatibilities, a new add-ons site, etc).

But also, it has been stated in the "Thunderbird 60.0 is available" topic in tb-planning that we are not yet capable of providing updates.

Note - the bi-weekly meetings are not council meetings but community meetings open to anyone.

[wsmwk]

However if you want to give Win64 Thunderbird a try instead of normal 32-bit Thunderbird for Windows.
http://archive.mozilla.org/pub/thunderb ... 0.0/win64/

Please take care to point out that 64bit builds are being provided for TESTING, and are not yet officially supported - which was stated when these builds were made available.

[Snake4]

might as well stick to DAILY 64bit windows

[wsmwk]

might as well stick to DAILY 64bit windows

The daily builds are volatile territory. Definitely not for the average user, which is the population of this "Thunderbird Support" board.

[Snake4]

might as well stick to DAILY 64bit windows

The daily builds are volatile territory. Definitely not for the average user, which is the population of this "Thunderbird Support" board.

iv'e installed 64bit of ESR60 but since it aint " supported " i kinda dont see the point of suggestingt people download the 64bit version of TB60 ESR . is it likely to be supported in TB60 ?