KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q142558: Adding Mime Types to Internet Information Server

Article: Q142558
Product(s): Internet Information Server
Version(s): 1.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbusage
Last Modified: 28-APR-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Internet Information Server 1.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

Mime types allow files to be opened by "helper" applications on web browser
clients, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer. Currently, mime types for Internet
Information Server (IIS) must be added manually to the registry. There is no
graphical interface for adding mime types at this time.

MORE INFORMATION
================

IIS installs the most common mime types by default. Mime types for new
applications or applications that are not widely used will have to be added
manually. Note that a helper application may have to be configured on the client
as well. Mime entries can be added to the following registry location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\InetInfo\Parameters\
MimeMap

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide
problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft
cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can
be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.

To add an entry, open the MimeMap key and choose Edit Value or Add Value.

The mime information needs to be placed in the Value Name box. The data type for
the entry should be set to REG_SZ, the string field should be left blank. The
following is an example of a mime entry:

  image/gif,gif,,5:REG_SZ:

  <mime/type>,<extension>,<unused>,<gopher item type>

The unused field is represented by an extra comma between 'gif' and '5'. The
extra comma must be included for the mime type to work correctly.

NOTE: Only the gopher server uses the Gopher item type. The gopher item types are
listed below. In the above example, the gopher item type '5' describes the file
type as an MS-DOS binary archive.

Gopher Item Types
-----------------

The following list shows all possible Gopher item type codes and what they mean.
The first character is the type code.

  0 A file, usually a flat text file
  1 A Gopher directory
  2 A CSO phone-book server
  3 An error
  4 A BinHex'ed Macintosh(r) file
  5 An MS-DOS binary archive
  6 A UNIX Uuencoded file
  7 An index-search server
  8 A Telnet session
  9 A binary file
  c A calendar or calendar of events
  g A graphic interchange file (GIF) graphic
  h An HTML World Wide Web hypertext page
  i An in-line text that is not an item
  I Another kind of image file
  m A BSD format mbox file
  P A PDF document
  T A TN3270 mainframe session
  : A bitmap Image (use Gopher Plus information for type of image)

Additional query words: prodiis1
======================================================================
Keywords          : kbusage 
Technology        : kbiisSearch kbiis100
Version           : 1.0

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.