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 add content type to applications

  • 6 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 352 views
  • Paskiausią atsakymą parašė tazmaniacmark

more options

I have 2 computers both running the same version of Firefox version 59.0.2 One is running windows 10 and the other server 2012r2. The computer running server 2012r2 the browser when I try to play a video will ask me if I want to open it in VLC media player or save the file. If I choose VLC it will download it into a temp file and then play it in VLC or if I save it it will save it to either my download folder or anywhere I choose If I select that option. On the windows 10 computer the browser will play the video within Firefox. While trying to figure out why it would do this I discovered that the difference was in application option in the general tab. The content type in question is .MP4. On the windows 10 machine .MP4 isn't even an option in applications on the general tab however VLC media file is and it is set to "Use VLC media player. On the server 2012r2 machine .MP4 is an option and I can change that to either download or always ask. On this machine VLC media file is not an option. I don't know if the operating system could be the reason but how can I add or remove content type. Under the MP4 content type there is another action and that is to use other but I don't know what to select there Firefox isn't even an option. How does Firefox choose what content type to populate here and how can I control it?

I have 2 computers both running the same version of Firefox version 59.0.2 One is running windows 10 and the other server 2012r2. The computer running server 2012r2 the browser when I try to play a video will ask me if I want to open it in VLC media player or save the file. If I choose VLC it will download it into a temp file and then play it in VLC or if I save it it will save it to either my download folder or anywhere I choose If I select that option. On the windows 10 computer the browser will play the video within Firefox. While trying to figure out why it would do this I discovered that the difference was in application option in the general tab. The content type in question is .MP4. On the windows 10 machine .MP4 isn't even an option in applications on the general tab however VLC media file is and it is set to "Use VLC media player. On the server 2012r2 machine .MP4 is an option and I can change that to either download or always ask. On this machine VLC media file is not an option. I don't know if the operating system could be the reason but how can I add or remove content type. Under the MP4 content type there is another action and that is to use other but I don't know what to select there Firefox isn't even an option. How does Firefox choose what content type to populate here and how can I control it?

Chosen solution

A media player like VLC comes with its own drivers to handle all media types it supports. Firefox doesn't come with such drivers to handle all file types and for playing MP4 files Firefox checks the operating system to see whether it supports this specific file type.

On Windows this is usually done via Windows Media Foundation (Vista, Windows 7+). If there isn't support available on the OS then your only option is to open the files in a media player that supports this content type. Native in this context means support at the operating system level.

See also:

Skaityti atsakymą kartu su kontekstu 👍 1

All Replies (6)

more options

Hi, not sure you can. I have VLC installed also and when anything can be played by VLC there is a small icon in the Address Bar and can click on that and have it in VLC. So when I go to Youtube I click on the icon for the video and the icon for VLC will appear and if mouse over the icon it says Play in VLC. I would thing if you highlight a mp4 you will find the same thing if it is on a website.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/applications-panel-set-how-firefox-handles-files

Please update your Flash 28.0 r0 Flash Player Version: 29.0.0.140 Current Version https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions/ Step 1: Select Operating System Step 2: Select A Version (Firefox, . . . .) Note: Other software is offered in the download. <Windows Only>

Please Note that it shows your Video Card Drivers and I am not sure but there are a lot of drivers in the Windows Driver Repository adapterDescription: Intel(R) HD Graphics 530 adapterDescription2: NVIDIA GeForce 940M driverDate: 10-27-2017 driverDate2: 12-22-2017 If you updated these on the date shown is good if not Win10 has replaced your drivers. Please search for Device Manager and check Sound and will see if it is a Windows Driver or not. Note : Win10 can and will replace any and all hardware Drivers : https://www.howtogeek.com/302595/how-to-stop-windows-10-from-automatically-updating-hardware-drivers/

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

more options

Firefox needs native OS support to play MP4 files in a tab. It sounds that you do not have this support on the 2012r2 server and VLC is used instead.

If Firefox detects native support then there is no need to create a specific action (Options/Preferences -> General -> Applications)

more options

cor-el

I have heard that term, "native support" before. Could you explain what that means in regards to firefox using VLC instead of opening in the browser window. Is there a way to fix it? Also something I didn't mention is that Chrome and IE work fine opening the MP4 in the browser window.

more options

Chosen Solution

A media player like VLC comes with its own drivers to handle all media types it supports. Firefox doesn't come with such drivers to handle all file types and for playing MP4 files Firefox checks the operating system to see whether it supports this specific file type.

On Windows this is usually done via Windows Media Foundation (Vista, Windows 7+). If there isn't support available on the OS then your only option is to open the files in a media player that supports this content type. Native in this context means support at the operating system level.

See also:

more options

Okay I get it. But if my operating system doesn't have support for MP4 files then wouldn't chrome have the same problem or do you think chrome doesn't rely on native support for MP4 files? I thought server 2012r2 was equivalent to windows 8.1 so you would think that it has support for MP4. Something for me to check. I am relatively new to running server software in my home I have been taking classes for network administrator and decided to build the basics for a windows test lab in my home. Anyway thank you I will have to do a little more research. Any more info you can supply in regards to this would be helpful.

Modified by tazmaniacmark

more options

" IIS Media Services is supported on Windows Server 2012, while Windows Media Services is not" I found this little blurb in a quick search for MP4 and native support in server 2012r2 also found out that chrome, IE and safari all have native support for MP4 so I have answered my own questions. Just thought I would pass this info along so thank you again. OMG I love learning stuff!!!