I had a bunch of oddball error messages and a horrific time trying to upgrade my desktop to Vista SP1. Finally I decided to just backup my files and re-install Vista from scratch, and then install SP1. That was time-consuming but it worked perfectly.
Now this was a nice opportunity for me to go and get all the latest and greatest versions of the drivers for my hardware and the software I use. One of them is Google Desktop. I downloaded the latest version and was surprised to see the error message when I double-clicked on the .exe:
"Google Desktop is not currently compatible with your operating system. It requires a 32-bit version of Windows Vista, Windows XP or Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 or above."
What??? I had no problem in the past running Google Desktop with Windows Vista 64 bit. I did some research and found what Google said about this:
"Installation: Not compatible - Windows 64-bit
We don't currently offer compatibility with the 64-bit editions of Windows XP and Vista. We realize that a lot of our users would like us to offer a 64-bit compatible version, and we may consider this option in the future."
Wow- so for some reason Google has withdrew GD support for 64 bit Vista/Windows XP users. The newest version that is showing the error message is 5.7.805.16405. I looked in my archive and the version I downloaded from about a month ago (which WILL install under Vista x64) is 5.7.802.22438. The only reason I can think of is maybe somehow Google Desktop is not working properly with 64bit Windows and for now Google has decided to not support it while they find a fix.
I hope it's soon because I use Google Desktop and the sidebar regularly. I'm a little afraid now to install the old version, but I don't think I can wait until Google fixes this problem!
12 comments:
Before reading your post i was thinking that it is not working on my system , but after this post i know the reality
Thanks
it sadly has major issues on vista64, which is presumably why the dropped support. -- here's to hoping they will bring it back soon.
I never got GD to work under Vista x64, even the old version. It would install and run, but would invariably crash after a short time. Maybe this is why they stopped supporting it, I don't know, but off to the internet to search for another desktop search agent! (I couldn't live without GD when I was in school.)
Same problem here.
But really disappointing was the behavior of the Google Updater:
Simply stating "Installation not successful". Click here for details". Clicking brings you into a loop with identical (non-) information. Only manual update at last reveals the withdrawn support.
Would that been MS, many people would be pissed. And rightfully so. Distributing software free of charge doesn't mean you should play games with your customers or behave opaquely.
How to install Google Toolbar on Vista 64bit?
Download it, (http://desktop.google.com). Create a shortcut to the install file. Then Properties -> Target: -> Add a /force command to the very end.
Example: "...x/y/z/GoogleDesktopSetupexe" /force
Then run the shortcut, and it'll work expect some features.
Thanks for the info!
I did the install with with "force" command, how do I unistall it? Seemed to be causing other issues with Windows.
Thanks.
Another way to force it to install under Vista x64 (if you're familiar with using a command prompt) is to open the command prompt, navigate to the directory you downloaded the installer to, and issue this command:
googledesktopsetup.exe /force
I love GD. Its mind blowing that a company that invests as much as Google does in the future would be so behind in such a current problem??
use /uninstall /force
as of July 2009 - Google NOW SUPPORTS 64 bit windows with google desktop.
Post a Comment