This article will describe how Firefox handles downloads for different types of files and how you can change that behavior.
Aug 29, 2018.
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When you click a link to download a file, you may see a dialog asking whether you want to save the file or open it with a specific application, if Firefox cannot handle the file internally. The Media type, also called the MIME type or Content type, as configured by the web server, will determine what action Firefox will take.
Note: Firefox will not be able to properly handle a file download if a misconfigured web server sends it with an incorrect Content type. For example, Firefox may display the content as plain text instead of opening the file in an application or asking you what to do. (To learn more, see Properly configuring server MIME types at MDN web docs.) You can contact the website in such cases or you can try a Firefox extension such as Content-Type Fixer to work around the problem.
When you tell Firefox to open or save the file and also check the option to 'Do this automatically for files like this from now on' (see below), a new Content Type and Action entry for that type of file will appear in the Applications section of the General panel in Firefox OptionsPreferences.
You can change what action Firefox takes for defined content types. This will not affect media embedded in a web page - only links to the files themselves.
When you click on a link for a type of file that doesn't have a set content type and download action, Firefox will ask you how to handle the file:
Warning: Do not choose Firefox to always open a certain file type, as doing so can cause a problem where Firefox repeatedly opens empty tabs or windows after you click on a link.
Is Do this automatically for files like this from now on disabled? This can happen if the website's server incorrectly specifies the Internet Media type of the file. It also can happen if the server assigns 'Content-Disposition: attachment' to the file.
If you are having problems with how Firefox is handling file downloads that you can't resolve, or if you just want to start fresh, you can restore the default content types and actions by manually deleting the file that stores these settings.
This will remove all customized content type actions. You will have to make those changes over again after you take the following steps.
Firefox Download Mac
Firefox installations on Windows have been simplified with the online Firefox Installer. This streamlined installer removed the Options page which allowed you to change settings such as the installation folder and whether to add program shortcuts. How to download and install Firefox on Windows explains how to install Firefox with standard options using the online Firefox Installer.
This article explains how to customize your installation with the full, offline Firefox Setup file and the options that are available.
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You can download the Firefox Setup file in your language, from this Firefox download page.
Note: You can install the 32-bit version of Firefox on 64-bit Windows but 64-bit Firefox is recommended (see this blog post for details). On 32-bit Windows systems, only the 32-bit version of Firefox can be installed.
When you run the Firefox Setup file, the Mozilla Firefox Setup Wizard will open.
After clicking you can choose a Standard or Custom installation. The Standard setup will be selected by default.
A Custom setup lets you choose the folder where Firefox program files will be installed, as well as which shortcuts to create. These options are not available in a Standard setup. Select the Custom setup type and click .
Choose where Firefox is installed
The next step is where you can choose a different Destination Folder, which is where the Firefox program will be installed.
C:Program FilesMozilla Firefox is the default folder path on 32-bit Windows. It's also the default location on 64-bit Windows when the 64-bit Firefox version is installed.
When the 32-bit Firefox version is installed on 64-bit Windows, the default folder path is C:Program Files (x86)Mozilla Firefox
You can change the folder where Firefox will be installed either by manually typing the location of another folder on your computer or you can click to select a new folder.
Click to continue.
Choose optional components
In the next screen you can choose whether to install the optional Mozilla Maintenance Service which allows application updates to occur in the background, without requiring you to click in the Windows User Account Control (UAC) dialog. For more information, see What is the Mozilla Maintenance Service?.
Note: This option may be missing in some cases, as when installing Firefox with a limited user account or when the Mozilla Maintenance Service is already installed.
Choose shortcuts
After choosing which Firefox program shortcuts to create, click .
Change Default Download Location Firefox
The Summary that comes up next will show the folder location where Firefox will be installed.
Note: The option to make Firefox your default web browser will be missing if you don't have permission to set Windows Registry keys or if you are installing Firefox over an existing version and Firefox is already the default browser.
If you are reinstalling Firefox over an existing version, you'll see an button instead of an button.
Click or to complete the installation. When Firefox is finished installing, the 'Completing the Mozilla Firefox Setup Wizard' screen will appear.
Change My Location In Firefox
Click . This will start Firefox unless you first clear the 'Launch Firefox now' checkbox.
Change Firefox Install Location
Congratulations, you are done installing Firefox!
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