What is MIME type "application/inf"?

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

The MIME type application/inf is used for Windows setup files. It provides plain text instructions that define how hardware drivers and software components are installed and configured.
It directs the system on tasks like file copying, registry modifications, and device installation processes.

Files that use this type include INF, PNF, and INF_LOC. Each plays a role in streamlining Windows installations.

Driver Installation: These files list driver components and set instructions for installing them.
Precompiled Setup Data: Specific files speed up the process by caching configuration details.
Localization Support: They can contain language-specific setups to adjust installations for different regions.

The format is simple and structured. Windows reads these text files during the installation process to apply the required configurations. For more background, visit Wikipedia: Windows INF Files.

Associated file extensions

.inf, .pnf, .inf_loc

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/inf

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/inf">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/inf');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.inf, .pnf, .inf_loc

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.