Manage file types and download actions in Firefox
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- Revision id: 206241
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- Creator: PGGWriter
- Comment: Small edits to improve readability
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This article describes how Firefox handles downloads for different types of files and how you can change that behavior.
- For help with download problems, see What to do if you can't download or save files.
- For help with embedded media on web pages, see Fix common audio and video issues.
- For help changing the e-mail program that Firefox uses, see Change the program used to open email links.
Table of Contents
Download actions
When you click a link to download a file, the Internet Media type (also called the MIME type or Content type) determines what action Firefox will take. If you do not already have an application installed that will automatically handle the download, you may see a dialog asking whether you want to save the file or open it with a specific application. When you tell Firefox to open or save the file and also check the option to "Do this automatically for files like this from now on" (see below), a new Content Type and Action entry for that type of file will appear in the Applications section of the panel in Firefox Settings .
Changing download actions
You can change what action Firefox takes for defined content types. This will not affect media embedded in a web page - only links to the files themselves.
- In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click and then select or , depending on your macOS version.Click the menu button and select .
- In the panel, go to the Applications section.
- Select the entry for the file type you want to change. Multiple entries for the same file format or extension? Some file types can include more than one Internet Media type.
- The Action column will give you a drop-down menu, with options on action to take, whenever you click that type of file.
- Preview in FirefoxOpen in Firefox: Select this if you want Firefox to display the content. It only applies to a limited number of file types that Firefox is able to decode, such as Portable Document Format (PDF).
- Always ask: This will prompt you to select what action you want Firefox to take when you click on that type of file. This can be useful if Firefox is automatically saving a file type or is always opening it with a certain program and you want to be asked what to do.
- Save File: This will always save the file to your computer using the Downloads window, whenever you click that type of file.
- Use ... : Open the file with an application of your choosing.
- The template "closeoptionspreferences" does not exist or has no approved revision.
Adding download actions
When you click on a link for a type of file that doesn't have a set content type and download action, Firefox will ask you how to handle the file:
- Open with: Saves the file to a temporary folder and opens it in the default application for that file type. To select an application, click .
- Save file: Saves the file to the download folder (specified in the General panel of Firefox OptionsPreferences).
- Do this automatically for files like this from now on: Check mark this setting and then click to add a new entry to the Content Type list for that file type.
Resetting download actions for all content types
If you are having problems with how Firefox is handling file downloads that you can't resolve, or if you just want to start fresh, you can restore the default content types and actions by manually deleting the file that stores these settings.
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Open your profile folder:
- Click the menu button , click and select .From the The Troubleshooting Information tab will open. menu, select .
- Under the Application Basics section next to Profile FolderDirectory, click . A window will open that contains your profile folder.Your profile folder will open.
Note: If you are unable to open or use Firefox, follow the instructions in Finding your profile without opening Firefox. - Close Firefox. Click the Firefox menu and select .Click the Firefox menu at the top of the screen and select .Click the Firefox menu and select .
- Delete (or rename) the handlers.json file.
- Restart Firefox.