Adding and Removing MIME Types

Multipurpose Internet Mail Exchange (MIME) types instruct a web browser or application how to handle files received from a server. When a web server delivers content to a client, it sends the MIME type of the data. The client application then knows how to process or display the data being received.

MIME types can be defined globally or at the website or virtual directory level. Globally-defined MIME types are inherited by all websites and virtual directories, while ones defined at the website or virtual directory level are used only for that area. If the web server receives a request for a file with an unregistered MIME type, it returns a 404.3 (Not Found) error.

Adding a MIME Type

1. Go to Websites & Domains and find the website's domain name.
2. Click Virtual Directories.
3. Navigate to the required virtual directory and click its name.
4. Click the MIME Types tab.
5. Click Add MIME Type.
6. Specify the following:
   • Type the file name extension in the Extension field. File name extension should begin with a dot (.) or a wildcard (*) to serve all files regardless of extension.
   • Specify the file content type in the Content field. You can select a value from the list or define a new content type by selecting Custom and entering the content type in the input box.
7. Click OK to finish.

Editing a MIME Type

1. Go to Websites & Domains and find the website's domain name.
2. Click Virtual Directories.
3. Navigate to the required virtual directory and click its name.
4. Click the MIME Types tab.
5. Select the required MIME type in the list.
6. Edit the following:
   • Type the file name extension in the Extension field.
   • Specify the file content type in the Content field. You can select a value from the list or select Custom to enter a custom content type.
7. Click OK to save changes.

Removing a MIME Type

1. Go to Websites & Domains and find the website's domain name.
2. Click Virtual Directories.
3. Navigate to the required virtual directory and click its name.
4. Click the MIME Types tab.
5. Select the checkbox corresponding to the MIME type you want to remove.
6. Click Remove.
7. Confirm removal and click OK.