Mozilla will shut down Pocket’s services on July 8, 2025. At that time users will no longer be able to access the Pocket website, apps and API. You can export your saved items and API data until October 8, 2025 before they are permanently removed. For more information, see this article.

Avatar for Username

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Opening an image without downloading it

  • 4 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 439 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

silentbutkrazy
silentbutkrazy

Hello, Frequently when I left click a hyperlink to an image, Firefox will ask me where I would like it downloaded. However, my purpose for clicking that link was to simply open the image in a new tab. When I went to find the default option for opening an image, I was not given the choice to "preview in browser" (a choice you get for opening .pdf files, among other things). What am I doing wrong? I do not want to download image URLs that I click.

I found an extension that allows me to do this, but I cannot set the extension's behavior as the default. Essentially, whenever I have to open an image, I have to left click it then select the option to open it in a new tab. This is pretty unwieldy and awkward behavior, and I would really appreciate a work-around.

I have already ran Firefox in safe mode, but with no success.

Thank you for your time.

Hello, Frequently when I left click a hyperlink to an image, Firefox will ask me where I would like it downloaded. However, my purpose for clicking that link was to simply open the image in a new tab. When I went to find the default option for opening an image, I was not given the choice to "preview in browser" (a choice you get for opening .pdf files, among other things). What am I doing wrong? I do not want to download image URLs that I click. I found an extension that allows me to do this, but I cannot set the extension's behavior as the default. Essentially, whenever I have to open an image, I have to left click it then select the option to open it in a new tab. This is pretty unwieldy and awkward behavior, and I would really appreciate a work-around. I have already ran Firefox in safe mode, but with no success. Thank you for your time.

Chosen solution

This is usually caused by the way the server sends the file. If the server sends the file as a recognized image type then Firefox will show the image in a tab. If the server sends the file a a generic content type or in another way that makes Firefox presenting an open with dialog then your only option is to use the "Open in Browser" extension or possibly a special bookmarklet.

You can use the Live Http Headers extension or possibly the Network monitor to check the HTTP response headers.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (4)

philipp
philipp
  • Moderator

hi silentbutkrazy, does the following addon help you achieve the behaviour you'd like to see? https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/inlinedisposition/

silentbutkrazy
silentbutkrazy Question owner

Thank you for your reply, philipp. However, that does not help.

philipp
philipp
  • Moderator

can you provide a sample url where this is happening?

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator

Chosen Solution

This is usually caused by the way the server sends the file. If the server sends the file as a recognized image type then Firefox will show the image in a tab. If the server sends the file a a generic content type or in another way that makes Firefox presenting an open with dialog then your only option is to use the "Open in Browser" extension or possibly a special bookmarklet.

You can use the Live Http Headers extension or possibly the Network monitor to check the HTTP response headers.