Making ALL files in a directory available for download through a "save-as" dialog box
I have a number of files in my "/files" directory that I would like to make available for download, through links on my site.
Some are ZIP files, some are word documents, some are images and some are HTML documents.
As it is right now, if someone clicks on a link to a ZIP file, a dialog box asks them if they wish to save the file to disk. But if they click on an image or an HTML document, it opens it up in the browser. I want this dialog box for ALL files in the /files directory, not just for applications.
Can I do this by controlling headers with .htaccess? If so, how?
Thanks!
Some are ZIP files, some are word documents, some are images and some are HTML documents.
As it is right now, if someone clicks on a link to a ZIP file, a dialog box asks them if they wish to save the file to disk. But if they click on an image or an HTML document, it opens it up in the browser. I want this dialog box for ALL files in the /files directory, not just for applications.
Can I do this by controlling headers with .htaccess? If so, how?
Thanks!
periwinkle
As I understand it, what happens when a user gets a download file will depend upon how their computer itself if configured, not on how you configure things on the server. Basically, depending upon the doc type, the user's computer will handle using the handler that they have registered.
You can do it this way (I think):
Place the entry
ForceType application/octet-stream
in the .htaccess file in your /files directory.
Place the entry
ForceType application/octet-stream
in the .htaccess file in your /files directory.
ASKER
Thanks, rmharwood.
You have the right idea, this is what I want to do.
I created a file called ".htaccess" and placed it in the directory but files are still being shown through the browser instead of being downloaded.
You have the right idea, this is what I want to do.
I created a file called ".htaccess" and placed it in the directory but files are still being shown through the browser instead of being downloaded.
Ok... your server configuration must allow you to override the "FileInfo" options using .htaccess files. Are you the admin of the server? If not you will need to ask if you can do this. They'll need to add
AllowOverride FileInfo
into their Apache config in the approproate place.
AllowOverride FileInfo
into their Apache config in the approproate place.
ASKER
Yes, I have root access.
What are the security implications of me making the change you suggested?
What are the security implications of me making the change you suggested?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
What is the name of the global config file?
> What is the name of the global config file?
httpd.conf
(usually)
I guess you've not edited this before? If you've got access to the config file anyway you could put
ForceType application/octet-stream
in the global config file in place of "AllowOverride..." and then you don't even need a .htaccess file.
httpd.conf
(usually)
I guess you've not edited this before? If you've got access to the config file anyway you could put
ForceType application/octet-stream
in the global config file in place of "AllowOverride..." and then you don't even need a .htaccess file.