File types and download actions

With most media files, if you click a link to them you will be prompted to download them. Some media types associated with some plugins (Adobe Acrobat, Quicktime, Windows Media Player and Macromedia Flash, for example) will open automatically inside a browser window or in an external player instead.

If you wish to change this behaviour:

Firefox 1.0.x

Tools -> Options -> Downloads -> Plug-Ins. Disable the desired file types by clicking on the checkmark and they will give a download prompt instead. This will not affect media embedded in a web page - only links to the files themselves.

Firefox 1.5.x

Tools -> Options -> Downloads -> Download Actions -> View & Edit Actions. Select a file type that you would rather have download or open with an external application and click 'Change Action...'

• If you want the file to open with the default external program for that file type, select "Open them with the default application"
• If you want the file to open with an external program other than the default, select "Open them with this application" - you will then be prompted to select the application to open them with.
• If you want the file to give a standard Open With/download to download prompt then select 'Save them on my computer'

See also

• Streaming media (Firefox)