I have a 64 bit OS but my browser is 32 bit, I never installed Java x64 only the x86 version do you install the x64 version and why would one need it? I noticed that when the Java updater starts to update, it only updates the x86 version and ignores the x64 version. what the duck?
Already answered the question yourself . Why install unneeded runtimes? On the other hand there also exist 64-bit versions of most browsers, so if you want to use java with them, guess what would be needed to install....
x64 bit java is only needed in special cases. For example, if you try to run the game MineCraft it will suggest x64 bit java for better performance.
if you are using Windows 8 x64 than you require both 32&64 bit java. Browser from main media tile of explorer is 64bit browser and the regular IE link on desktop or start menu is 32 bit.
Very informative to know about the present largely uselessness of Java x64. Yet I install both x64 and x86 simply because it causes no problems in download size, install times, or performance.
I only install x64 Java in x64 Windows. None of my browsing experience is affected in any way without 32-bit Java (I use Chrome, which afaik only comes in 32-bit). I only install Java for ADB tools and Minecraft though, and in the event I decide to actually start some Java development.
The real question is, why do you install java at all. I haven't installed it for the last 7 months and I haven't missed it even 1 second.