What is MIME type "application/vnd.ms-works"?

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

The MIME type application/vnd.ms-works marks files created by the discontinued Microsoft Works suite. It tells the system that the file uses a legacy format designed for small-scale document management.

Main use: Identifies files from the Microsoft Works environment.
Functionality: Differentiates various document types like word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Legacy support: Helps older programs and conversion tools recognize and handle these files correctly.

Files using this MIME type include documents such as WPS (word processor files), WDB (database files), WKS (spreadsheet files), and WCM (clip art or similar content).

For further details, consult the IANA registry.

Associated file extensions

.wps, .wdb, .wks, .wcm

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/vnd.ms-works

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.wps, .wdb, .wks, .wcm

FAQs

Which file extensions use the application/vnd.ms-works MIME type?

This MIME type is primarily associated with .wps (Word Processor), .wks (Spreadsheet), .wdb (Database), and .wcm (Communications) files. It serves as a catch-all identifier for the proprietary formats used by the discontinued Microsoft Works suite.

Can web browsers display application/vnd.ms-works files directly?

No, modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge cannot render these files natively. When a server sends the application/vnd.ms-works header, the browser will usually prompt the user to download the file instead of displaying it.

How do I configure Apache to serve Microsoft Works files correctly?

Add the AddType directive to your configuration. In your .htaccess file or main server config, insert the line: AddType application/vnd.ms-works .wps .wks .wdb. This ensures the server tells clients exactly what software created the file.

How do I enable this MIME type in Nginx?

Update your mime.types file. Inside the types { ... } block, add the line: application/vnd.ms-works wps wks wdb wcm;. After saving the file, reload or restart Nginx to apply the changes.

What is the difference between application/vnd.ms-works and application/msword?

They represent entirely different file formats. The type application/vnd.ms-works is for the simpler, discontinued Microsoft Works software, while application/msword is for full Microsoft Word documents (.doc). Although they both handle text documents, the underlying binary structure is not compatible without conversion.

How can I open a file sent with this MIME type?

You will likely need a file converter or LibreOffice. Since Microsoft Works is no longer supported, standard Microsoft Office installations may not open these files by default. Open-source suites like LibreOffice often retain support for legacy formats like .wps and .wks.

What does the 'vnd' prefix mean in this MIME type?

It stands for 'vendor'. The structure application/vnd.ms-works indicates that this is a vendor-specific file format (controlled by Microsoft) rather than a public standard. This distinction is important for developers when parsing file headers.

General 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.