We're calling on all EU-based Mozillians with iOS or iPadOS devices to help us monitor Apple’s new browser choice screens. Join the effort to hold Big Tech to account!

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Adding new files & attachments in Thunderbird

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

gerazov
gerazov
more options

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.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (2)

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

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
more options

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