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One of my controller actions returns a file to the user. I would like the user to be presented with the download (open/save) dialog, regardless of the file type. This works fine when the file type is .doc, .docx, .xlsx, etc.., but when the file is .txt, .xps, .pdf (sometimes), or .html, it opens in the browser.

Is there a way I can prevent the file from opening in the browser, and only allow the user to open it in a separate window without navigating away from the current page?

The request for the file is made using jQuery's $.ajax({}).

Related: Having the browser handle the request and give the popup as opposed to the AJAX call receiving the conent of the file as a response string is explained by this ansewr, but this question addresses forcing the browser to handle the file in a certain way once it is received.

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yoozer8
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1 Answers1

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I don't think you can do this with a client-side command or setting. You would need to do something on the server so that it returns a content type of application/octet-stream for every file. Otherwise, the browser will look at the incoming file and decide what to do with it based on its own rules and capabilities.

If you can do this on your server, try setting the "Content-Disposition" header to "attachment; filename=whatever.xyz"

yoozer8
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Ray
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  • This yields the same result as `application/unknown`, which, unfortunately, is something I am trying to avoid. For user convenience it would be best to allow them to open the file with one click (just not in the current browser window). – yoozer8 Oct 05 '11 at 14:10
  • If you can do this on your server, try setting the "Content-Disposition" header to "attachment; filename=whatever.xyz" – Ray Oct 05 '11 at 15:20
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    FYI: If you pass a non-empty value for the *FileDownloadName* property on the FileContentResult, then the MVC framework will automatically set the Content-Disposition header in the response. – Levi Oct 06 '11 at 07:07