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Question

FTP site setup, open files instead of download them.

Sep 15, 2015 11:16AM PDT

I have an FTP server that hosts data files. When I click on those files they are automatically downloaded. I want them to open in the browser instead. How can I accomplish this?

My server runs a CentOS 7 operating system, using Tomcat.

Some have suggested creating an .mtaccess file in my /var/www/html directory, but the only examples they gave are to force file downloads. I want to do the opposite.

Thank you for your time.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
So back to what FTP is?
Sep 15, 2015 11:23AM PDT

FTP is on the web so it's proper for the file to transfer then open in the associated app. If you want say a text file to open in the browser, then associate them with the browser.

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Answer
Filezilla is a good FTP client
Sep 15, 2015 12:27PM PDT

It's better then using a web browser because if you lose connection in the middle you do have to start the download over. But using a browser it work almost like Windows Explorer and you drag the file to your folder you want it downloaded to. Just

1 .connect using IE and enter the site address.
2. Click page and then Open FTP Site in File explorer.

This will open your file explorer and you can just copy and paste. FTP sites typically will have folder secured based on you account and PW.

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Answer
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocal
Sep 15, 2015 12:33PM PDT

Which means its designed to transfer files from a server to your location. It's important in today's world because of download limits using email.

If you want to view the filed you need some type of VPN which controls access to those file.