Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

How to Enable Force Download Links in WordPress

In WordPress, by default, when you upload files such as PDFs, images, or videos, they are displayed to users in the browser, rather than forcing them to download the file. However, there are situations where you might want users to be prompted to download the file instead of viewing it in their browser.

Enabling force download links in WordPress allows website owners to have more control over their content and ensure users are downloading the files they need. Here are the steps to enable force download links in WordPress:

1. Install and activate the "Force Download PDF and Images" plugin

The first step is to install and activate the "Force Download PDF and Images" plugin. This plugin will add a checkbox to the media library, allowing you to choose which files you want to force the download of.

To install the plugin, navigate to the Plugins section of your WordPress dashboard, click on "Add New," and search for "Force Download PDF and Images." Once you have found the plugin, click on "Install Now," and activate it.

2. Upload the File to WordPress

Once the plugin is activated, you can upload the file to WordPress. Go to the Media Library, click on "Add New" and select the file you want to upload. Once uploaded, select the checkbox next to the "Force Download" option.

3. Add the Download Link to Your Post or Page

After the "Force Download" checkbox is selected, copy the file URL. This URL can then be added to a post or page as a download link. You can do this by highlighting the text you want to be the download link, then clicking on the "Insert/edit link" button in your editor options.

Paste the file URL in the link URL field and select "Open link in a new tab." This ensures that the user remains on your website while downloading the file.

Conclusion

By enabling force download links in WordPress, you are providing your users with an easy way to download important files. This can be beneficial in situations such as e-commerce stores, where users need to download purchase receipts, or for sharing important documents on your website.

With the above steps, you can quickly enable force download links in WordPress and provide your audience with more control and ease of use when downloading files from your website.