Hi,
I really don't post allot here at this forum but now I felt I had to ask a question about the new Thunderbird v60.0 release.
Wouldn't it be possible to have both x86 and x64 in the same installer?
As it is now it seem to only install x86 version.
Since Mozilla finally seem to have released an official x64 version I would really love to be able to use it. 
I really don't criticize the devs, I only humbly ask as I´d like to know.
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First, a background question: How did you know it was 32-bit? Likely Answer: You had to look at Task Manager.
Like most apps, Thunderbird running in 64-bit will offer no real difference to the end user. As per our standard 64-bit app policy, we only package dual mode apps when warranted. It's based on performance gain vs install size. We made exceptions for browsers so Firefox is double the install size but both 32-bit and 64-bit because a chunk of users will be running online sites that are very intensive for work and school situations. An email client wouldn't benefit from the same since you won't be visiting huge web pages with massive Javascript memory requirements.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Thank you for the response.
I right clicked on the exe in the paf file and checked preferences. It clearly stated 32-bit.
I don't agree there is nothing to gain, mine (non portable) feel allot faster x64 than x86 (I have both installed), it also seem to slow my system less.
But since I don't develop PortableApps applications I will have to trust you regarding the portable versions. And I got my answer.
I don't know if this allowed but there is a portable released from another site that contain both x86 and x64 versions if anyone want to test.
[link to illegal software removed by mod JTH]
Feel free to let me know and I'll remove the link if not allowed.
All the launchers (aka ThunderbirdPortable.exe) are 32-bit for all our portable apps including dual mode apps. The work they do doesn't necessitate building two separate ones in terms of speed.
I removed the link as the other site is packaging Thunderbird illegally. Mozilla must expressly approve of repackaged versions of Firefox and Thunderbird according to their official trademark guidelines.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Thank you for removing the link didn't know they packed it illegally.
If I open the paf in 7zip and browse to /App/Thunderbird
then check properties of thunderbird.exe I get the below values.
CPU: x86
Characteristics: Executable 32-bit NoRelocs NoLineNums NoLocalSyms
Also if I unpack ThunderbirdPortable_60.0_English.paf.exe to get Thunderbird.exe it is 215kb.
If I compare to installed TB and check filesizes the x86 version is 215KB while the x64 version is 284KB
To keep the size of the installer down, wouldn't it be possible to have the installer download and unpack the install directly from mozilla servers to get the needed files for the portable version? At least as an option to get the x64 version if wanted.
You'd need the entire package. DLLs and support EXEs are also 32-bit vs 64-bit. So the installer and installed size would double. Please read the policy I linked above.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Yea, I understand that the entire packade is needed to allow for both x86 and x64 install, that's why I suggested the installer could download the x64 installation if chosen, unpack it in temp, pick the needed files then delete the temp files. Wouldn't make the installer much bigger.
I read the policy and as I stated earlier I don't agree there is no gain to run the x64 version since mine is much faster as x64 than it is as x86.
Wouldn't want to force you either.. 
But I guess you don't want to and I cannot force you.
I'll just have to build my own installation with both in it I guess.
I bid thee a good day, sir.
If, at some point in the future, the publisher distributes Thunderbird 64-bit as the default to end user, it would be considered at that time. At present, the 64-bit build of Thunderbird isn't even available on the publisher's website. It's only available by browsing into their FTP/Archive server. Note the fact that only Windows 32-bit builds are available from the all builds download page: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!