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

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

application/x-mso is a MIME type used to mark files in the ActiveMime format. It is a nonstandard type (indicated by the x- prefix) mainly used by Microsoft products to package binary data.

Files bearing this MIME type, like those with the MSO extension, can contain bundled components. These files can carry embedded objects or active content that a program can extract and use.

Main use case: Packaging active content so that components like embedded documents or controls can be transferred as a unit.
Used in environments where Microsoft applications package proprietary binary data.
Helps facilitate the delivery of active or embedded elements in legacy systems.

This MIME type ensures that systems recognize the file as containing data in a special, nonstandard format. For more detailed information on file extensions or ActiveMime, consider visiting resources like Filext.com.

Associated file extensions

.mso

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-mso

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.mso

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.