What is MIME type "application/x-desktop"?

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

application/x-desktop is a MIME type for desktop entry files. These text files hold metadata that tells the operating system how to start an application.

It mainly serves Linux desktop environments. The file format follows a simple, INI-style syntax defined by desktop entry standards from FreeDesktop.org. A desktop entry file contains keys like Name, Exec, and Icon that configure how the application behaves.

Main Use: Describing application launchers and shortcuts.
Integration: It links applications with menus, panels, and file managers.
It provides a way to manage application properties in a readable and editable text format.
It aids in organizing and starting programs efficiently.

Files with this MIME type use the DESKTOP extension. They are often stored in system directories like /usr/share/applications for global access or in user-specific folders for personalized setups.

Associated file extensions

.desktop

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-desktop

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.desktop

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.