How to get Content Types Back in Applications
Many file types are no longer listed under Settings > Applications>Content Type at about:preferences#general. I used to be able to click on a file in an email like a Word or Excel document, and it would come up on my screen. Now Firefox asks me to Save them. I don't want to automatically save files without first looking at them. How can I get those file types in the Application list again?
I have attached a pic of the file types I have left to chose from. There used to be a lot more. How can I get back all the missing choices I have had there for years?
Chosen solution
Firefox will add them in this situation:
right-click the download on the Downloads list and choose "Always Open Similar Files".
They then should appear in the box with "Use [relevant application" as the action. You can change that to Always Ask if you prefer.
Does that work on your Firefox?
Some downloads will not have that menu option. Typically that is because the server did not provide a specific content type for the file, but instead used a generic binary file type. Since that is the same type used for EXE files, Firefox doesn't associate it with a specific application.
(I can give you an add-on to work around the content type problem if needed.)
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Firefox will add them in this situation:
right-click the download on the Downloads list and choose "Always Open Similar Files".
They then should appear in the box with "Use [relevant application" as the action. You can change that to Always Ask if you prefer.
Does that work on your Firefox?
Some downloads will not have that menu option. Typically that is because the server did not provide a specific content type for the file, but instead used a generic binary file type. Since that is the same type used for EXE files, Firefox doesn't associate it with a specific application.
(I can give you an add-on to work around the content type problem if needed.)
Thank you for a prompt reply. That solved the dilemma.
I have this problem too, but it keeps happening. Every time there's an update it resets to the Firefox default. It's making me crazy. What's the add-on to work around this?
jfwelsh said
I have this problem too, but it keeps happening. Every time there's an update it resets to the Firefox default. It's making me crazy. What's the add-on to work around this?
Only your Applications list (Download Actions) gets reset, nothing else?
You may want to start a new question: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/new/desktop/form
Months ago somehow I resolved the issue by setting things as I wanted and sure enough, this am Firefox deleted all the files and the settings so I am back to the same problem again. Can't they do upgrades without messing up my settings?
mishasarkpetsitting said
Months ago somehow I resolved the issue by setting things as I wanted and sure enough, this am Firefox deleted all the files and the settings so I am back to the same problem again. Can't they do upgrades without messing up my settings?
It's not normal for an update to delete settings except to sometimes globally change specific settings. What settings were deleted for you when Firefox 100.0.1 installed?
Hi, I tried the advice of jscher2000, Indeed in the "Content type" menu the new file types have appeared and I was able to change the behavior from "download" to "always ask". But files as *.xls, *.xlsx and other still continue to be saved to the disk, and firefox don't ask what to do whit them, nor opens them with office program. Strange is, that for the *.pdf files firefox behaves properly.
OS is Ubuntu Linux 20.04, and firefox is 103.0+build1-0ubuntu0.20.04.1
bbozhkov said
Hi, I tried the advice of jscher2000, Indeed in the "Content type" menu the new file types have appeared and I was able to change the behavior from "download" to "always ask". But files as *.xls, *.xlsx and other still continue to be saved to the disk, and firefox don't ask what to do whit them, nor opens them with office program.
I assume XLS and XLSX are not listed in the box yet? Since this old thread was active, a new option was added below the box. You may want to switch the "What should Firefox do with other files?" from Save to Ask:
