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Firefox does not recognize many content types

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  • Last reply by allcort

allcort
allcort
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Recently the majority of content types have disappeared from the Applications section in the Settings. (See the attached screenshot) Even Word and other MS Office files are not on the list any more. Consequently, when I open a Word file, Firefox asks me where to save it and does not offer to either save it or open it.

I tried editing handlers.json file and added an entry for PDF files. Now upon clicking on a link that leads to a PDF file, Firefox prompts me to open it or save it. However, if I choose to open it, the file gets saved in the Downloads folder, rather than Temp folder like previously. The result is that the Downloads folder gets filled with files that I have opened but did not want to save and keep.

I created a new Firefox profile to see whether the previous list of content types would return. This did not work, and the new profile, too, shows only a few content types.

What could be the problem? Thanks.

Recently the majority of content types have disappeared from the Applications section in the Settings. (See the attached screenshot) Even Word and other MS Office files are not on the list any more. Consequently, when I open a Word file, Firefox asks me where to save it and does not offer to either save it or open it. I tried editing handlers.json file and added an entry for PDF files. Now upon clicking on a link that leads to a PDF file, Firefox prompts me to open it or save it. However, if I choose to open it, the file gets saved in the Downloads folder, rather than Temp folder like previously. The result is that the Downloads folder gets filled with files that I have opened but did not want to save and keep. I created a new Firefox profile to see whether the previous list of content types would return. This did not work, and the new profile, too, shows only a few content types. What could be the problem? Thanks.
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Chosen solution

The problem was with version 98.0. Several users have reported losing content types. Moreover, files are saved even if you only want to open them. A temporary fix for that problem is outlined in the thread linked here. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1370494

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All Replies (4)

jeyson1099
jeyson1099
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Hello, When you 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 there is no download action already set for that file type. The Media type, also called the MIME type or Content type, as configured by the web server, will determine what action Firefox will take.

The following article describes how Firefox handles downloads of different types of content, such as saving a file or opening an application installed on your computer, and how you can change that behavior. Manage file types and download actions in Firefox. I hope this helps to solve your problem

Terry
Terry
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Chosen Solution

The problem was with version 98.0. Several users have reported losing content types. Moreover, files are saved even if you only want to open them. A temporary fix for that problem is outlined in the thread linked here. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1370494

Terry modificouno o

david.biondi
david.biondi
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Hi, 

I have the same problem, also with theversion 99, but strangely on another PC that has version 98.02 installed this problem does not happen.

Anyone have any tips to fix the problem?

Thanks

allcort
allcort Question owner
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david.biondi said
Hi, I have the same problem, also with theversion 99, but strangely on another PC that has version 98.02 installed this problem does not happen. Anyone have any tips to fix the problem? Thanks

I don't know why your other computer has been spared from this problem. However, the fix is to go to about:config and set the "browser.download.improvements_to_download_panel" preference to "false." Unfortunately, it seems that this option will be removed in the future due to the ill-conceived belief among the developers that the user should not have a say whether a file is downloaded or just opened and discarded.