Oct 29, 2020 Waterfox is a useful open-source browser built on top of Firefox that focuses on privacy and supports legacy extensions. It doesn’t pitch itself as a privacy-paranoid browser but it does respect the basics. Firefox Browser, also known as Mozilla Firefox or simply Firefox, is a free and open-source web browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation and its subsidiary, the Mozilla Corporation. Firefox uses the Gecko layout engine to render web pages, which implements current and anticipated web standards. One thing that Waterfox boasts is that it's stripped of the telemetry Mozilla puts into Firefox's source code. From what I could find, that appears to be. For starters, Waterfox has the Firefox Data Collection and Use removed from the Privacy & Security section of the options menu: (Firefox is on the left, Waterfox on the right).
Users on 64-bit Windows who download Firefox can get our 64-bit version by default. That means you get a more secure version of Firefox, one that also crashes a whole lot less. How much less? In our tests so far, 64-bit Firefox reduced crashes by 39% on machines with 4GB of RAM or more.
What’s the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit?
Here’s the key thing to know: 64-bit applications can access more memory and are less likely to crash than 32-bit applications. Also, with the jump from 32 to 64 bits, a security feature called Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) works better to protect you from attackers. Linux and macOS users, fret not, you already enjoy a Firefox that’s optimized for 64-bit.
How do you get 64-bit Firefox?
If you’re running 64-bit Windows (here’s how to check), your Firefox may already be 64-bit. Check your Firefox version (in the “About Firefox” window) and look for “(32-bit)” or “(64-bit)” after the version number:
- If you see “(32-bit)” and you are running Firefox 56.0 or older, updating to the latest Firefox version should automatically upgrade you to 64-bit.
- If you see “(32-bit)” and are running Firefox 56.0.1 or newer, then your computer may not meet the minimum memory requirement for 64-bit (3 GB RAM or more). You can still manually install 64-bit Firefox, if you choose.
If you want to continue running Firefox, yet would prefer to run an application that takes full advantage of your 64-bit operating system, then Waterfox is certainly a contender.
Waterfox is essentially Mozilla Firefox's code compiled as a 64-bit application for Windows. It includes support for all of Firefox's features including plug-ins, extensions and everything else you expect Firefox to do. Visually, the only different layout feature you might notice is the blue logo.
In terms of speed, we noticed that running Waterfox on a 64-bit system just makes your browsing experience faster. Loading web pages, JavaScript-intensive applications and even videos with this 64-bit browser just seemed much faster. In terms of issues you might have with Firefox, they will probably just be replicated by Waterfox.
At the end of reviewing this program, we are actually in the middle of replacing many of our Firefox installations with Waterfox!
In the end, highly recommended.
Features and highlights
- Compiled in Intel's C mompiler
- Intel's math library
- Streaming SIMD extensions 3
- Advanced vector extensions
- Jemalloc
- Profile-guided optimization
- /O3 switch
Waterfox Latest Version Free Download
Waterfox G3.2.1 on 32-bit and 64-bit PCs
This download is licensed as freeware for the Windows (32-bit and 64-bit) operating system on a laptop or desktop PC from web browsers without restrictions. Waterfox G3.2.1 is available to all software users as a free download for Windows. As an open source project, you are free to view the source code and distribute this software application freely.
The program was created by the developer as a freeware product, but donations for the continued development are highly appreciated. You may generally make a donation via the developer's main web site.
Filed under:Mozilla Waterfox Browser
- Waterfox Download
- Freeware Web Browsers
- Open source and GPL software
- Major release: Waterfox G3.2
- Firefox Browsing Software
Comments are closed.