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"Open with" stopped working, only "download" is possible for downloadable files.

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cor-el

Hale_JP
Hale_JP
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A few months ago, probably after FF update, the "open with" stopped working, only download is possible.

Particularly, simple url links fail to "open with" including reading with firefox itself. I can not open PDFs, outer program links. Only a few PDF links are opened at specially crafted websites. Probably those are sites with on-site defined MIME or allowing the PDF contents being pre-cashed.

In all the other cases where the file being opened should be pre-downloaded with FF downloader, it fails to download. The same file is downloaded easily when choosing "save as"

I guess, the problem may be in the "downloader" part only, since other online contents are displayed, i.e. streamed, or stored in cache without problems.

A few months ago, probably after FF update, the "open with" stopped working, only download is possible. Particularly, simple url links fail to "open with" including reading with firefox itself. I can not open PDFs, outer program links. Only a few PDF links are opened at specially crafted websites. Probably those are sites with on-site defined MIME or allowing the PDF contents being pre-cashed. In all the other cases where the file being opened should be pre-downloaded with FF downloader, it fails to download. The same file is downloaded easily when choosing "save as" I guess, the problem may be in the "downloader" part only, since other online contents are displayed, i.e. streamed, or stored in cache without problems.

Modified by Hale_JP

All Replies (5)

Hale_JP
Hale_JP Question owner
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Up, it is still impossible opening online files from Firefox (using firefox, or external program).

Even in safe mode (CTRL+SHIFT)

But the same files are downloaded fine through Download.

Modified by Hale_JP

Hale_JP
Hale_JP Question owner
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Really, firefox became a pile of bugs. No one cares about that because the day you get rid of bugs - firefox will disappear with them.

Terry
Terry
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Have you tried troubleshoot mode? https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/diagnose-firefox-issues-using-troubleshoot-mode

Does the issue affect only pdf files? Presumably, you have set Firefox to "always ask".

Hale_JP
Hale_JP Question owner
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As you may find after actually reading my post, yes, I have tried the troulbeshoooting mode.

It affects almost every file type when opening, except on some rare pages. I could not find the reason. It seems, some tag or MIME definition on the page which makes it able to open the file in the browser. But almost all, i.e. ~95% of files, including PDF, fail to open in the browser with download fail in the download manager. The same file when clicked "save file" option, downloads without trouble to the user disk folder

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Try to rename/remove handlers.json in the Firefox profile folder with Firefox closed.

You can use the button on the "Help -> More Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page (Root directory).