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How can I force Firefox to download mp3 files and NOT play them?

  • 2 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 312 views
  • Last reply by TurZ

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Hi guys,

I have been unable to change the Firefox-Settings in that way, that it does not play mp3 files at all (in any kind of player), but makes it possible to decide what to do with them e.g. download the file.

What I actually did:

- changed at settings, that I want a dialog or download any file type and NOT use any other option (yes, all of them - not any kind of effect was seen there...)
- changed especially all mp3-related options to download
- deactivated ALL plugins and addons
- about:config -> media.windows-media-foundation.enabled -> false
- uninstalled ALL types of mediaplayers (Winamp, VLC etc.), but not WMP because it would be very complicated and would cause several bugs

Many updates before (I think it was until FF 20 or so) it was just possible to tell FF, that I wanted to download the file via settings and now it is not.

Is there any possibility left that I can force Firefox to NOT PLAY mp3 files in any kind of player and offer my the possibility to download it?

Please do NOT give answers like:

- right click on the file and save it as ... I allready know that and do not want to use that solution. A few years before it was possible, so it should also be possible to directly click at the file and decide what to do with it. On all the sites I want to use it the possibilities are given and not blocked by the sites or implementations itself. 

Thank you very much for your help in advance. I am desperately trying to find an answer to that question for months...

Hi guys, I have been unable to change the Firefox-Settings in that way, that it does not play mp3 files at all (in any kind of player), but makes it possible to decide what to do with them e.g. download the file. What I actually did: - changed at settings, that I want a dialog or download any file type and NOT use any other option (yes, all of them - not any kind of effect was seen there...) - changed especially all mp3-related options to download - deactivated ALL plugins and addons - about:config -> media.windows-media-foundation.enabled -> false - uninstalled ALL types of mediaplayers (Winamp, VLC etc.), but not WMP because it would be very complicated and would cause several bugs Many updates before (I think it was until FF 20 or so) it was just possible to tell FF, that I wanted to download the file via settings and now it is not. Is there any possibility left that I can force Firefox to NOT PLAY mp3 files in any kind of player and offer my the possibility to download it? Please do NOT give answers like: - right click on the file and save it as ... I allready know that and do not want to use that solution. A few years before it was possible, so it should also be possible to directly click at the file and decide what to do with it. On all the sites I want to use it the possibilities are given and not blocked by the sites or implementations itself. Thank you very much for your help in advance. I am desperately trying to find an answer to that question for months...

Chosen solution

hello TurZ, please set media.windows-media-foundation.enabled back to its default value and turn media.play-stand-alone to false instead.

Read this answer in context 👍 9

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Chosen Solution

hello TurZ, please set media.windows-media-foundation.enabled back to its default value and turn media.play-stand-alone to false instead.

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It can be so easy! THANK YOU philipp.

I will try to get it to work on my normal FF, but I think it will work.

Thank you again!