This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

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

how do I Preview the PDF in Firefox browser before it automatically downloads it

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 17 views
  • Last reply by Terry

more options

I do not want Firefox to automatically download the PDF before I preview it I went to the application setting for PDF download and it does not give the option to preview before downloading. Even when I view a PDF in my email Firefox automatically downloads it.

How do I stop this from happening, do you have any ideas on how to solve this problem?

The PDF (application/force-download) and PDF (application/pdf) and PDF (application/x-download) will not change from "always ask" I upload the image below

I do not want Firefox to automatically download the PDF before I preview it I went to the application setting for PDF download and it does not give the option to preview before downloading. Even when I view a PDF in my email Firefox automatically downloads it. How do I stop this from happening, do you have any ideas on how to solve this problem? The PDF (application/force-download) and PDF (application/pdf) and PDF (application/x-download) will not change from "always ask" I upload the image below
Attached screenshots

All Replies (2)

more options

Firefox always need to download a file to be able to display this file. The difference is that previously the file was downloaded to the OS TEMP folder when you opened it for viewing and now all files are downloaded to the folder set as the default download folder in "Settings -> General -> Downloads".


more options

I can't verify this but several users have said that if you opt in Applications to Always Open in Firefox, the file is saved to your temp folder. If that choice doesn't suit you there are ways to change the destination of downloads.