Will There be a 32bit version of FileZilla Server?

[B8Two]

Previous V0. builds of FileZilla Server were 32bit and now the New V1. builds are 64bit only.

Will a 32bit version be compiled?

Can the link to the last 32bit build remain on the download page?

Typically if dropping support for older version of windows, a page with a link is kept up to the last working for that version.

However 32bit Windows / computers still exist and support is now dropped?

Did I miss a news notification about this?

[botg]

While you could still compile the new server as legacy 32bit program, we do not have any plans at this time to offer official 32bit binaries, it is not worth the effort. In the foreseeable future, 64bit support will become mandatory.

Some statistics of the current Windows users, taken from users of the client (I have no reason to believe server usage-share is different in this regard):
64-bit Windows: 98.14%
32-bit Windows with 64-bit CPU: 1.80%
32-bit Windows on 32-bit CPU: 0.06%

The 1.8% can simply update their operating system. The 0.06% need to finally bite the bullet and get a more modern computer.

[B8Two]

The public users of the FileZilla Client are not a representation of the need of the FileZilla server. (Most people that use the Client May not need the Server)
This is not a closed protocol that requires the use of the Client to use the server.

Over the years I have deployed around 300 copies of the FileZilla server and almost none of the FileZilla Client.

Your logic of "The 1.8% can simply update their operating system." have you considered that perhaps?;
- they are using some key software that will not work on a 64bit system? (like 16 bit apps or device drivers that are only 32bit)
- the system that is deployed is remote and upgrading from 32bit to 64bit operating system is not a double click of an EXE.

And the simple answer to "The 0.06% need to finally bite the bullet and get a more modern computer." is not to use FileZilla.

That being the case, what is the reason for not keeping the link to the last released 32bit V0.X FileZilla Server?
It could be a static Page.

If you keep the page up for a while, perhaps you will gain statstics of who is looking for the 32bit version and downloading it in preference to the 64bit.

[boco]

Previous releases were and are available under https://download.filezilla-project.org - of course without any support. Note that most of them are not secure for usage anymore.

[botg]

they are using some key software that will not work on a 64bit system

There's emulators, such as QEMU or DOSBox to run 16bit x86 on modern hardware. Also, if it is such key software, why is there no continuous maintenance and modernization process in place?

- the system that is deployed is remote and upgrading from 32bit to 64bit operating system is not a double click of an EXE.

I've migrated Linux machines from 32bit to 64bit remotely. Yes, takes more than double-clicking, but still a straightforward process anyone able to follow instructions could do.

That being the case, what is the reason for not keeping the link to the last released 32bit V0.X FileZilla Server?

Security. Especially in the TLS department, the old version is years behind.

[B8Two]

Note that most of the are not secure for usage anymore

Funny, everyone in IT informs me that All FTP is not secure and we need to move to SFTP or other solution.

[botg]

If it's plain FTP, then yes, that is not secure. FTP over TLS (FTPS) on the other hand is perfectly secure. FileZilla Server is configured for FTP over TLS out of the box. Which of the two variants did you discuss with your IT department?

[B8Two]

I've migrated Linux machines from 32bit to 64bit remotely.

We are talking about Windows. FileZilla Server is for Windows.

I found this on intowindows.com

With Windows 11, Microsoft has gone 64-bit only. So, there is no way to download Windows 11 in the 32-bit flavor.
Because of this, you cannot directly upgrade from 32-bit Windows 10 to Windows 11 64-bit without performing a clean install.

I used 16bit as an example, not that I'm using it.

There's emulators, such as QEMU or DOSBox to run 16bit x86 on modern hardware.

Yay, Virtual Machines... Do you understand the complexity your suggesting compared to compiling for 32bit?
Also Virtual Machines do not work with attached hardware. (okay QEMU has a way, I've done it with linux but not sure if it will also work with Windows but it is very complicated and can cause system instability.)
All around, it would be easier to run Filezilla Server 64bit in a VM on the 32bit host OS..(But why would I do that?).

That being said, QEMU is still compiled for 32bit
DOSBox is compiled for 32bit.
Windows 10 2016 LTSB has 32bit support until Oct 13, 2026
Windows 10 2019 LTSC has 32bit support until Jan 9, 2029

Security.

In my experience corporate IT departments don't care what is applied on top of FTP, they hear FTP and it isn't SFTP, then it is a "no questions asked insecure".
If Security is a concern, why isn't SFTP support part of FileZilla? (FTPS is) FileZilla Client supports both SFTP and FTPS.

On non public accessable machines, I use Filezilla Server for plain FTP (insecure) because it is reliable and has it's own authentican method and is easy to deploy configured.

Previous releases were and are available under https://download.filezilla-project.org - of course without any support. Note that most of them are not secure for usage anymore.

I will use the direct link provided. Thank you.


I just thought that there would be some link / description or indication that this was the way forward. I looked here;

https://filezilla-project.org/download.php?type=server
No indication of 32bit


I followed the Show additional download options
https://filezilla-project.org/download. ... ype=server
No 32bit option here, not even a link to the last 32bit V0.X
"Not what you are looking for?" No!

I look at the list of Downloads for FileZilla Client
https://filezilla-project.org/download.php?show_all=1
32bit and 64bit options to download (Windows and Linux).

I also checked out the news on the home page, no mention of 32bit or 64 bit. That is why I started this topic.
I asked if 32bit would be available and if not a link to the last 32bit copy. The flow I followed above had no indication of an alternative method to locate a previous version.

The statistics logic indicated was flawed, it's like saying; "98% of our users eat apples, that's why we don't supply banana's any more. ( I have no reason to believe that users that eat apples would eat bannnas.)"
Also, to be able to get a 0.06% statistics, that is 6 copies in 10,000 or (600 copies in 1 Million), how many copies is the percentage calculated against?
https://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey ... latform=pc
PC Gamers Using Steam have about 0.32% to 0.38% running Windows 32bit
https://www.statista.com/statistics/308 ... in%202019.
Indicates 26.09 Million users in September this year. Hence about 83,488 users (0.32%) are running 32bit copy of Windows as their gaming platform, there has got to be a reason for that.

[boco]

https://filezilla-project.org/download.php?type=server
No indication of 32bit

"The 64bit versions of Windows 8.1 and 10 are supported."

No 32bit option here, not even a link to the last 32bit V0.X

Because linking to insecure versions is a bad idea.