Defaulting to x64 Apps Possible?

[vorloth]

Is there a way to default to the x64 version of the standard vista applications? I.e. to the x64 versions of:

• Windows Media Player
• Internet Explorer
• Windows Mail
• Windows Photo Gallery
• Windows Calendar
• Windows Journal
• etc.

I did find a guide to changing WMP at http://www.windows-now.com/blogs/chris123nt/archive/2006/10/10/WMP-on-Vista-x64.aspx
.
I just need either individual instructions for the rest of the apps., or a general switch from x86 to x64 that does all apps. at once.

 

[vorloth]

Ok my mistake.
Only WMP & IE default to x86 mode.

Now who knows how to default IE to x64?

 

[Brink]

Hi Vorloth,

Welcome to the forum.

The only thing I can find for IE7 is to use the IE7 64 bit shortcut in the Start menu, or create one from C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplorer.exe. The 64 bit IE7 will not be able to have Flash video though. This will still not make the 64 bit IE7 the default when you click on anything for the internet.

Here's another tutorial on WMP:
How to Set 64 bit or 32 bit WMP in 64 bit Vista as Default


Sorry,
Shawn

 

[Brink]

Vorloth,

I forgot to mention that you can try the 64 bit Firefox and see how it works as default for you. The top link is the latest version. I have not tried this, so I do not know how well it works. You can always just uninstall it.

http://www.mozilla-x86-64.com/download.html

Shawn

 

[GINTER]

Thanks for the WMP link, mine now runs the 64 bit version.

As for Firefox (Minefield) - it works nicely in 64, however, FLASH, the plugin, doesn't work, as in IE64. Too bad.

 

[Brink]

GINTER,

Thank you for the feedback on Firefox.

Shawn

 

[vorloth]

Thanks for the information everyone.

I've been using the shortcut option, but hadn't considered defaulting to Firefox x64.

 

[Brink]

Your welcome Vorloth.

I'm just waiting for Adobe to come out with a 64 bit Flash player before using the 64 bit IE7 all the time.

Shawn

 

[vorloth]

Just as a point of interest, I just discovered that the windows sidebar defaults to the 32 bit version. It's fairly simple to change to the 64 bit version, but there are a couple other 32 bit processes runninng at startup according to Task Manager.

Has anyone managed to get Vista x64 running with only 64 bit processes?

 

[Brink]

Vorloth,

Not that I'm aware of. It would be interesting to see how they managed it though if one did.

Shawn

 

[GINTER]

Your welcome Vorloth.

I'm just waiting for Adobe to come out with a 64 bit Flash player before using the 64 bit IE7 all the time.

Shawn

Flash 64? Good luck. It's been years since XP64 came out and there ain't no flash still. It's a shame.

 

[Brink]

LOL, tell me about it GINTER.

 

[vorloth]

Just as a point of interest, I just discovered that the windows sidebar defaults to the 32 bit version. It's fairly simple to change to the 64 bit version, but there are a couple other 32 bit processes runninng at startup according to Task Manager.

Has anyone managed to get Vista x64 running with only 64 bit processes?

I've investigated further and can run almost completely with 64 bit processes. Basically I end all 32 bit processes after startup with Task Manager. Everything continues to work as before, perhaps a little better - subjectively.

The only fly in the ointment is some process related to the Creative X-Fi Audio I'm using. It will not end.

CTXFISPI.EXE *32 - SPI (Creative X-Fi Module)
Located in the C:\Windows\SysWOW64 directory
​

Oh well more research.