What is MIME type "application/hta"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

application/hta is a MIME type for HTML Applications. These files use HTML and scripting to run as standalone programs in Windows. They execute with the Internet Explorer engine but without the normal browser interface.

Files with the HTA extension let developers build local apps that can interact directly with system components. They work like web pages but with extended system privileges.

• Main use: Running local applications on Windows.
• Capabilities: Execute scripts, manage system tasks, and provide custom interfaces.
• Practical applications: Administrative tools, automation scripts, and local utilities.
• Security note: These apps bypass many browser restrictions, so they must be used in trusted environments.

For more details on HTML Applications, visit HTML Application (Wikipedia).

Associated file extensions

.hta

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:

    Content-Type: application/hta
  

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:

    <a href="file.dat" type="application/hta">Download file</a>
  

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:

    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/hta');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);
  

Associated file extensions

.hta