Modify what Firefox does when you lot click on or download a file

This commodity will describe how Firefox handles downloads for different types of files and how you lot can modify that behavior.

  • For help with download problems, see What to do if you tin can't download or salvage files.
  • For assist with embedded media on web pages, see Fix mutual sound and video issues.
  • For help changing the email program that Firefox uses, run into Change the program used to open up email links.

Table of Contents

  • 1 File types and download deportment
  • 2 Irresolute download actions
  • 3 Adding download actions
    • 3.1 "What should Firefox do with this file?" prompt
    • iii.2 "What should Firefox practise with this file?" prompt does non testify an application
  • 4 Resetting download actions for all content types

File types and download deportment

When you lot click a download link to a file that Firefox cannot handle internally, you may see a dialog asking whether you want to save the file or open it with a specific application, if in that location is no download action already set for that file blazon. The the Media type, besides called the MIME type or Content type, as configured past the web server, volition determine what activeness Firefox volition take.

Note: Firefox will non be able to properly handle a file if a misconfigured web server sends it with an wrong content type. For example, Firefox may display the content every bit manifestly text instead of opening the file in an awarding. (To acquire more, see Properly configuring server MIME types at MDN web docs.) You can contact the website in such cases or you can try a Firefox add-on such equally Content-Type Fixer to piece of work around the problem. (If you use an addition and you need help with it, you should visit the improver site or contact the add-on programmer directly for support.)

When you tell Firefox to open or relieve a file and besides check the option "Do this automatically for files like this from now on" in the "What should Firefox do with this file?" prompt, If Firefox does not have a download activity fix for a file that tin can exist opened with an installed application and y'all select in the Downloads panel right-click context menu for the downloaded item, (see below) a new Content Type and Activeness entry volition be added to the panel Applications section of Firefox settings.

Changing download actions

You tin modify what action Firefox takes for defined content types. This will non bear upon media embedded in a web page – only links to the files themselves.

  1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click and select . Click the menu push Fx57Menu and select . Click the bill of fare push button Fx89menuButton and select .

  2. In the panel, go to the Applications section.
  3. Select the entry for the file type you lot want to change. (You might encounter more than ane entry for the same file format or extension. This is because some file types can include multiple Internet Media types.)
  4. The Action column will give you a driblet-down menu, with options on the action to accept, whenever you click that type of file.
    Fx77Applications-PDF-Mac Fx78Applications-PDF Fx78Applications-PDF-Win
    • Open in Firefox: Select this if you desire Firefox to display the content. It but applies to a limited number of file types that Firefox is able to decode, such every bit Portable Document Format (PDF).
    • Ever ask: This will show you a prompt asking What should Firefox exercise with this file? (as shown beneath) and then that you tin select the action you lot desire Firefox to take. This can be useful if Firefox is automatically saving a file type or is always opening it with a sure program, and you want to be asked what to practise.
    • Save File: This will always save the file to your figurer using the Downloads panel, whenever you click that blazon of file.
    • Use … : Open the file with an application of your choosing.
  5. Close the about:preferences folio. Whatsoever changes you've fabricated will automatically be saved.

Adding download actions

Starting in Firefox version 98, when you download a file that can exist opened with an installed awarding, you lot tin right-click the downloaded item in the Downloads panel and select from the context carte du jour.

Fx97Downloads-FileContextmenu

Selecting will add a new download action entry for that type of file to the console Applications section of Firefox settings. You tin can afterwards change the download action (see above) to a unlike action, such as "Ever ask" or "Salve File", if yous wish.

When you click on a link and Firefox doesn't have a content type and download action prepare up for that blazon of file, Firefox will enquire yous how to handle the file by showing y'all the following prompt:

If you change the action for a file blazon to Always inquire in the panel Applications section of Firefox settings, you will see a What should Firefox do with this file? prompt for that type of file:

"What should Firefox do with this file?" prompt

Fx78OpeningFLVfile Fx90OpeningFLVfile-mac

Notation: You volition also run into this prompt for download deportment set to Always ask in Firefox settings.

  • Open up with: Saves the file to a temporary folder and opens it Opens the file in the operating system's default application for that file type. (You tin as well use the driblet-down menu to choose some other application.)
  • Save File: Saves the file to the download folder (specified in your Firefox Options Preferences Settings Preferences in the panel nether Downloads).
  • Practice this automatically for files like this from at present on: Bank check marker this setting to always take the selected activeness and so click OK. This will add a new entry to the Content Type list of download actions.

Is Do this automatically for files like this from now on disabled? This tin can happen if the website'south server incorrectly specifies the Cyberspace Media type of the file. It also can happen if the server assigns "Content-Disposition: zipper" to the file.

"What should Firefox practise with this file?" prompt does non testify an application

The "What should Firefox do with this file?" prompt may not evidence a default awarding for some file types. You can click the Cull… Scan… push button to cull an awarding installed on your reckoner to open the file.
Fx78OpeningPPTfile Fx90OpeningFileChoose-mac

Resetting download actions for all content types

If you are having problems with how Firefox is handling file downloads that yous can't resolve, or if you just want to start fresh, you tin can restore the default content types and actions by manually deleting the file that stores these settings.

This will remove all customized content type deportment. You volition have to brand those changes over again later you have the post-obit steps.

  1. Open your profile binder:

    • Click the menu button Fx57menu, click , and select . From the carte, select . The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.
    • Nether the Awarding Basics section side by side to Profile Folder Directory, click Open Folder Show in Finder Open up Directory . A window will open that contains your contour folder. Your profile folder will open.
  2. Close Firefox. Click the Firefox bill of fare Fx57Menu and select . Click the Firefox menu at the top of the screen and select . Click the Firefox carte Fx57Menu and select .
  3. Delete (or rename) the handlers.json file.
  4. Restart Firefox.

These fine people helped write this commodity:

AliceWyman, Chris Ilias, Tonnes, scoobidiver, Swarnava Sengupta, soucet, ideato, Mozinet, Kiki, Lan, scootergrisen, Joni, Heather, PGGWriter, Fabi

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