File types and download actions: Difference between revisions

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(Added steps to reset download actions to default settings)
(Expanded the intro, changed section heading names to "download actions", added links.)
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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.
When you download a media file, the [[MIME types | MIME type]] determines what action is taken.  Files that are associated with certain [[:Category:Plugins |plugins]] like [[Adobe Acrobat]], [[Quicktime]], [[Windows Media Player]] and [[Macromedia Flash]] will open automatically inside a browser window or in an external player.  (If no plugin exists,  a predefined "helper application" will be used [http://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/Gecko_Plugin_API_Reference:Plug-in_Basics#Plug-ins_and_Helper_Applications] or, if no download action has been defined, you will be prompted to either save the file or open it with a specified application.)  This article explains how you can change the way downloaded media files are handled, so that they are either saved or opened with a specified application instead of with the associated plugin.


==Changing how media files are handled==
==Changing download actions==
This will not affect media embedded in a web page - only links to the files themselves.
This will not affect media embedded in a web page - only links to the files themselves.


'''Firefox 1.0.x'''
'''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.  
Go to "Tools -> Options -> Downloads -> Plug-Ins". Disable the plugin for the desired file type by clicking on the checkmark.  The next time you click a download link to that file type, you will get a dialog box prompting you to choose what action to take.


'''Firefox 1.5.x'''
'''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...'
Go to "Tools -> Options -> Downloads -> Download Actions -> View & Edit Actions". Select a file type 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 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 open with an external program other than the default, select "Open them with this application" - you will then be prompted to select an application.
*If you want the file to give a standard Open With/download to download prompt then select 'Save them on my computer'
*If you want the file to be downloaded and saved instead of opened, select "Save them on my computer".


==Resetting media file handling==
===Resetting download actions===
If problems arise, you can return Firefox to the default actions for opening or saving media files as follows [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=2115557#2115557]:
If problems arise or if you want to restore the default set of actions for opening or saving media files, do the following [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=2115557#2115557]:
#Type [[about:config]] into the address bar.
#Type [[about:config]] into the address bar.
#Find the preference '''browser.download.pluginOverrideTypes''' and,  if it is present, right-click on it and select <u>reset</U>.
#Find the preference '''browser.download.pluginOverrideTypes''' and,  if it is present, right-click on it and select <u>reset</U>.
#Find the preference '''plugin.disable_full_page_plugin_for_types''' and, if it is present, right-click on it and select <u>reset</U>.
#Find the preference '''plugin.disable_full_page_plugin_for_types''' and, if it is present, right-click on it and select <u>reset</U>.
#Close Firefox, then open your [[profile folder]] (Windows 2000/XP users, [[Profile_folder#For_Windows_2000_and_XP_users | read this]] for help finding it).
#[[Kill application | Exit the browser]], then open the [[profile folder]] (Windows 2000/XP users, [[Profile_folder#For_Windows_2000_and_XP_users | read this]] for help finding it).
# Delete (or rename) the file [[mimeTypes.rdf]].
#Delete (or rename) the file [[mimeTypes.rdf]].  


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Streaming media (Firefox)]]
* [[Streaming media (Firefox)]]
* [[Opening files using plugins]]


[[Category:Plugins]]
[[Category:Plugins]]

Revision as of 13:33, 23 May 2006

When you download a media file, the MIME type determines what action is taken. Files that are associated with certain plugins like Adobe Acrobat, Quicktime, Windows Media Player and Macromedia Flash will open automatically inside a browser window or in an external player. (If no plugin exists, a predefined "helper application" will be used [1] or, if no download action has been defined, you will be prompted to either save the file or open it with a specified application.) This article explains how you can change the way downloaded media files are handled, so that they are either saved or opened with a specified application instead of with the associated plugin.

Changing download actions

This will not affect media embedded in a web page - only links to the files themselves.

Firefox 1.0.x

Go to "Tools -> Options -> Downloads -> Plug-Ins". Disable the plugin for the desired file type by clicking on the checkmark. The next time you click a download link to that file type, you will get a dialog box prompting you to choose what action to take.

Firefox 1.5.x

Go to "Tools -> Options -> Downloads -> Download Actions -> View & Edit Actions". Select a file type 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 an application.
  • If you want the file to be downloaded and saved instead of opened, select "Save them on my computer".

Resetting download actions

If problems arise or if you want to restore the default set of actions for opening or saving media files, do the following [2]:

  1. Type about:config into the address bar.
  2. Find the preference browser.download.pluginOverrideTypes and, if it is present, right-click on it and select reset.
  3. Find the preference plugin.disable_full_page_plugin_for_types and, if it is present, right-click on it and select reset.
  4. Exit the browser, then open the profile folder (Windows 2000/XP users, read this for help finding it).
  5. Delete (or rename) the file mimeTypes.rdf.

See also

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