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Adding new files & attachments in Thunderbird

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 98 views
  • Last reply by gerazov

gerazov
gerazov
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I want to change the default application for opening pdf attachments via Thunderbird. Unfortunately, going to Preferences > Files & Attachments there is no pdf file type in the list and no way to add it there.

Thunderbird currently opens them automatically with Chromium, so there is a setting but where can we find and edit it? In Firefox the setting for pdf-s is Firefox so it's not the same setting ...

It would be also nice if one could right click the attachment and do Open with and there select default applications for future attachments as in the DE's File browsers.

I want to change the default application for opening pdf attachments via Thunderbird. Unfortunately, going to Preferences > Files & Attachments there is no pdf file type in the list and no way to add it there. Thunderbird currently opens them automatically with Chromium, so there is a setting but where can we find and edit it? In Firefox the setting for pdf-s is Firefox so it's not the same setting ... It would be also nice if one could right click the attachment and do Open with and there select default applications for future attachments as in the DE's File browsers.

Modified by gerazov

Chosen solution

The opening applications for attachments are defined in handlers.json in the profile folder, but I don't know why Files & Attachments has no entry for pdf if they open with Chromium. If you rename or delete handlers.json, with TB closed, then restart TB and open a pdf attachment, you should be prompted to define the default opening app, and if you check 'Always open...', the setting should be stored in the json file.

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All Replies (2)

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

The opening applications for attachments are defined in handlers.json in the profile folder, but I don't know why Files & Attachments has no entry for pdf if they open with Chromium. If you rename or delete handlers.json, with TB closed, then restart TB and open a pdf attachment, you should be prompted to define the default opening app, and if you check 'Always open...', the setting should be stored in the json file.

gerazov
gerazov Question owner
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Thanks @sfhowes - that's a good pointer!

It seems there are two definitions for pdf in this file: - "application/pdf":{"action":4,"extensions":["pdf"]} - "video/x-flv":{"action":2,"handlers":[{"name":"okular","path":"/usr/bin/okular"}],"extensions":["flv","pdf"]}

In fact okular does appear in the Files & Attachments but under Flash Video : )

Still no Chromium to be found in the specification, which is weird.

Anyways, I've followed your advice and upon restart I specified okular for automatic opening of pdfs and the Files & Attachments shows it accordingly.

It might be useful to upgrade the GUI to be able to add or delete items, or reset the handles.json via the Preferences for the future.

Modified by gerazov