"Automatically open a downloaded file" doesn't work.
When I download a file using Firefox, it asks me what I want to do with it (save it or open it with a certain program). I select to open it, and check the "Do this automatically for files like this from now on" box. Next time I download a file like that, it should just automatically open it with that program, right? It's not happening. Every time I download a file, I have to tell Firefox what to do, whether I've previously checked the box or not. In the settings dialogue, under Applications, the file type is listed, with the instruction to use that program. I don't believe it has ever worked like I think it should. Is this a bug, or something in my settings? Does anyone else have this issue?
All Replies (8)
Hello Marshallj, try to delete the mimeTypes.rdf file in the Firefox Profile Folder to reset all file actions.
Deleting the mimeTypes.rdf file will clear the associations between MIME types and programs. A new mimeTypes.rdf file will be created on start up or when the application first needs to write to the file.
thank you
That didn't work. The issue is still there.
The automatic action only works for a specific MIME type.
I don't know if that's the issue or not. Does it make a difference if it's an email attachment? The file is a .zip file that I download on a weekly basis. I tried selecting "view" instead of "download" in the email, which opened up a Google viewer tab showing the 2 compressed .gpx files that the .zip contained. I downloaded the .gpx files from the viewer, with the same results. I have the .zip file set to open with Winzip, and the .gpx file set to use GSAK. Here is what I get when I download the .zip email attachment.
I download ca 50 student replies, word or pdf, a day when marking. But everytime, I am asked if I want to download automatically. And everytime I say yes. And everytime Firefox fails to do so. How can I get it to do what it says on the label? It is one more unnecessary step adding to the administrative load. deleting mimetypes.rdf made no difference.
I have always the same problem. What's wrong with remembering what to do with filetypes?
Automatic actions are linked to a MIME (content) type and not to a file extension.
So if you set an automatically action and that same file type gets send with another content type then that automatically action won't work.
I got it fixed by selecting manually the program's .exe to open the filetype rather than using the default-associated program(it's the same)!