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Why was Firefox 4 installed in WIN 7 Program Files x86 directory while Firefox 3.6.12 was installed in the Programs Directory?

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  • Last reply by btbowman

btbowman
btbowman
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After I installed the new Firefox 4.0 today, Secunia reported that there was an insecure version of Firefox 3.6.12 remaining on the computer. OS = Win 7 Professional. Firefox 4.0 installed in Program Files (x86) directory, while the old version 3.6.12 remained in the Program Files directory (file version = 1.9.2.3951)

Why did this happen, and can I just delete the old version in the Program Files Directory, or would there be negative consequences if I did this?

Thanks Bruce

After I installed the new Firefox 4.0 today, Secunia reported that there was an insecure version of Firefox 3.6.12 remaining on the computer. OS = Win 7 Professional. Firefox 4.0 installed in Program Files (x86) directory, while the old version 3.6.12 remained in the Program Files directory (file version = 1.9.2.3951) Why did this happen, and can I just delete the old version in the Program Files Directory, or would there be negative consequences if I did this? Thanks Bruce

All Replies (4)

Kevin
Kevin
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Firefox is a 32 bit application. Windows installs 32 bit applications to the \Program Files (x86)\. It is possible you got a 64 bit version of Firefox 3.6 from a third party.

btbowman
btbowman Question owner
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That's an interesting suggestion about how I acquired the 64-bit version.. However, I just responded to the Firefox updater when informed, and let it install itself - I did not get the 3.6.12 from another source, and wasn't even aware that there were 2 versions.

The important question for me is - How do I get rid of the reminants of the 64-bit version in the Program Files Directory? - Is it safe just to delete the Mozilla Firefox directory and its contents?

Is there a 64-bit version of Firefox 4 available, and if so, why didn't it sense that I have a 64-bit system and install the correct version?

Kevin
Kevin
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If the Programs and Features window of the Windows control panel has a uninstall 3.6 option I would use that. Else deleting the \program files\mozilla firefox\ folder should be ok.

We don't have a Firefox 64 bit version for Windows yet. v5 hopefully

btbowman
btbowman Question owner
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I already checked and there is only an "X86" entry in Programs & Features - It looks as if the 64-bit entries in Program Files are orphans.