When you click a link to download a file, the MIME type determines what action Firefox will take. You may already have a plugin installed that will automatically handle the download, such as Windows Media Player or QuickTime. Other times, you may see a dialog asking whether you want to save the file or open it with a specific application. 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", an entry appears for that type of file in the Firefox Applications panel, shown below.

This will not affect media embedded in a web page - only links to the files themselves.

1. At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click on the ToolsFirefoxEdit menu, and select Options...Preferences....
2. Select the Applications panel.
3. The Applications panel will display. Select the type of file for which you want to change the default action. (Note that multiple entries may exist for the same file extension, one for each MIME type.)
   
   
   
   
4. The Action column will give you a drop-down menu, with options on action to take, whenever you click that type of file.
   
   
   
   
   • Always ask: will prompt you to select what you want to do with file, whenever you click that type of file.
   • Save File: will always save the file to your computer using the Downloads window, whenever you click that type of file.
   • Open the file with an application or plugin of your choosing.
5. Click OK to close the Options windowClick Close to close the Preferences windowClose the Preferences window after making changes.

1. On the web, find a link to a file matching the type you want to add.
2. Click on the file link to download it.
3. Select how you want Firefox to handle the file:
   • Open with: Saves the file to a temporary folder and opens it in the default application for that file type. To select an application, click Choose... (Note: Do not choose Firefox).
   • Save file: Saves the file to the download folder (specified in the Firefox settings window).
4. In the Opening file window, check mark Do this automatically for files like this from now on.
5. Click OK.

1. On the web, find a link to a file matching the type you want to add.
2. Click on the file link to download it.
3. Select how you want Firefox to handle the file:
   • Open with: Saves the file to a temporary folder and opens it in the default application for that file type. To select an application, click Browse... (Note: Do not choose Firefox).
   • Save file: Saves the file to the download folder (specified in the Firefox settings window).
4. In the Opening file window, check mark Do this automatically for files like this from now on.
5. Click OK.

1. On the web, find a link to a file matching the type you want to add.
2. Click on the file link to download it.
3. Select how you want Firefox to handle the file:
   • Open with: Saves the file to a temporary folder and opens it in the default application for that file type. To select an application, click Browse... (Note: Do not choose Firefox).
   • Save file: Saves the file to the download folder (specified in the Firefox settings window).
4. In the Opening file window, check mark Do this automatically for files like this from now on.
   
   
   
   
5. Click OK.