How to Add a MIME File Type for ASP Downloading

MIME types are used for web applications.

Active server pages (ASP) are hosted on Microsoft's Internet Information Services (IIS) to provide dynamic content for end users. A MIME type is a configuration on the IIS server that allows a program to download and run application extensions. For instance, when a user clicks a SWF file line, the server downloads the file to the user's browser and automatically starts the appropriate Flash viewer. These MIME types are set in the IIS console.

Instructions

1. Click the Windows Start button and select "All Programs." Select "Administrative Tools" and then click the link labeled "Internet Information Services (IIS)." This opens the IIS configuration console.

2. Right-click the web server host name and select "Properties." This opens the properties window for the IIS server. Click the "Feature View" tab. Double-click the "MIME Types" icon to open a list of currently configured MIME types.

3. Click the button labeled "Add MIME Type." A dialog box opens prompting you for the download file type. Enter the file extension in the first text box.

4. Enter the application used for the file extension in the text box labeled "MIME type." For instance, if you want the user to download an SWF file in Flash, enter "application/x-shockwave-flash" into the MIME type text box.

5. Press the "OK" button in the dialog box. Click "OK" again in the main properties window. The MIME type is now set for your ASP application.

References

• Microsoft: Add a MIME Type (IIS 7)

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish