File Types

You can specify how Opera should handle different types of files.

Handling file types

Some Web sites use MIME types (e.g. application/octet-stream and text/plain) incorrectly. This means, for example, that a server may tell you that a file is a plain text file when it is actually an image or a movie.

If files are not handled as you expect, try setting Opera to identify unreliable types by file extension.

Adding file types

Opera is installed with a recommended setup for most common file types.

You can add file types of your own, but be sure you know what you are doing:

  1. Click
  2. Enter the correctly spelled MIME string you wish to set up
  3. Enter file extensions (comma-separated list) to associate with file type, for example "jpeg, jpg, jpe"
  4. Select action Opera should take (see below)
  5. Click

When you add or edit file types, you must select an action:

Action Explanation
Show download dialog Opera will always ask you before downloading a file of selected type
Open with Opera Opera can show text, markup languages, and images
Save to disk
  • You can specify a download location for files of a particular type, for example $HOME/download/zip for ZIP files
Open with other application Specify application to use for this file type. You can pass the file address directly to the application (useful with streaming multimedia).
Use plug-in Use a plug-in to view the file

Note: Be extra careful when deleting file types. Opera depends on certain types in order to work properly.