Fix: MP3 files are saved with incorrect file extension when downloaded

Fix: MP3 Files Are Saved With Incorrect File Extension When Downloaded

When downloading .mp3 files using Internet Explorer or any other browser, the Save As dialog may add an incorrect file extension (.mp2 or .mpeg, instead of .mp3). Whenever this happens, you need to manually change the file extension to .mp3.

If this problem happens when downloading .mp3 files from a particular website, then it’s possible that the web server is sending a wrong MIME type for .mp3 (Default MIME settings for IIS.) With that said, it’s a server-side setting that needs to be fixed by the administrator.

On the other hand, if this issue occurs for every website, the Content Type registry setting in your system might be incorrect.

Method 1

Instructions for Windows XP

1. Click Start, Set Program Access and Defaults

2. Click Custom to expand the section

3. Under Choose a default media player, select Windows Media Player

4. Click OK.

Instructions for Windows Vista

1. Click Start, Default Programs

2. Click Set program access and defaults

3. Click Continue when you see the User Account Control (UAC) prompt.

4. Click Custom to expand the section

5. Under Choose a default media player, select Windows Media Player

6. Click OK.

This not only sets Windows Media Player as the default player for media files in the system, but also fixes incorrect MIME settings for many file types automatically.

Method 2

Download mp3_mime_fix.zip and save to Desktop. Unzip the archive, and run the file mp3_mime_fix.reg. Click Yes when asked for confirmation. This .REG file fixes the settings under the following registry branches:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MIME\Database\Content Type\audio/mp3]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MIME\Database\Content Type\audio/mpeg]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MIME\Database\Content Type\audio/mpg]

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5 Comments

Maria

said this on Tuesday, February 16th 2010 7:53 pm

Thank you. I did it and it worked. Great tip.
Caroline

said this on Thursday, December 10th 2009 2:20 am

Thanks so much! I was really annoyed that my the songs automatically save as .mp2 instead of .mp3! Glad that the problem is now resolved!!
Felipe

said this on Friday, November 13th 2009 1:14 am

Excellent !! I followed the second method and now, my iExplorer works well.

Thank you.
Marcella

said this on Sunday, May 3rd 2009 4:39 pm

I would like to thank you too. I do not have a clue what reset this in the computer but what a blessing to find such a clear and perfect fix.
Was really stumped and this is the only solution I found to the issue.
All the best to you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.
d.b.wolfe

said this on Tuesday, December 30th 2008 3:54 pm

Thank you for this Ramesh … brilliant. I found this website trying to solve this exact problem .. I think happened after I downloaded K-lite codecs on my Vista / IE 7 system…. after that the only option on downloading was in ‘movieclip’ format which is mp2. I needed the K-lite codecs because Win Media Player does not come with codecs to play rental DVD movies. Mainly classical music from http://www.classicalarchives.com... I acquired Allok MP3 to AMP converter system which can transcribe files back but not sure if the fidelity is maintained. cheers.