What Is Helper Application?

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Helpers are similar to superheroes of the Internet because they assist your browser in doing its tasks. They are non-native applications that cannot be viewed and are responsible for managing files that are received by a web browser. That renders them nearly invisible, but they are not absent from the scene. A browser invokes a Helper Application through a prebuilt component in the browser's stored list of applications. If you've ever tried to open a file on your computer but couldn't because you didn't have the right software installed, you know what I'm talking about—the browser is looking for a helper application that can open that file for you. Some might say that helper applications are the secret sauce of the Internet. They're not wrong—helper applications are the little helpers that go a long way to make your browsing experience more convenient and efficient. A helper application is a separate, standalone program that assists with specific file types. Typically, browsers include a built-in list of helper applications that can be used immediately when you download or open a file. In other words, when you download an image or text in an email attachment, your browser may automatically ask if you want to open it with your photo-editing software or Word. That's where helper applications come into play! Helper applications can also open files directly from the command line or other programs—just like any other program on your computer! If you're one of those who like to tinker with how your computer works, you'll be happy to know that Firefox lets you customize the list of helper applications used by your browser. You can swap out an existing helper application or add a new helper application for different file extensions. So next time you download an attachment in your email, don't forget about those friendly little helper apps!

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