Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

How to Force Download Files on WordPress

WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) used by many individuals and businesses to create and manage their websites. One common requirement when using WordPress is the need to allow users to download files such as images, documents, or zipped files.

However, by default, WordPress opens these files in the browser instead of downloading them. This can be frustrating for users who may want to save the file for later use, or share it with others. Fortunately, there's a simple solution to this problem: force the file to download instead of opening it in the browser.

Step-by-Step Process to Force Download on WordPress

The process of forcing a file to download in WordPress is straightforward and involves making a minor change to the code. Here's how you can do it:

1. Navigate to the WordPress editor for the post or page where you want to add a download link.

2. Upload the file that you want users to download. To do this, click on the Add Media button, and select the file you want to upload.

3. Once the file is uploaded, click on the file name to bring up the file details pop-up. In the Attachment Details section, scroll down to the Link to section, and click on the Media File option.

4. Now, copy the URL of the file. You can do this by highlighting the link and pressing Ctrl+C on a Windows PC, or Cmd+C on a Mac.

5. Close the media popup and go to the WordPress editor. Type the text you want to use for the download link, and then highlight the text.

6. Click on the Insert Link icon in the editor toolbar, or press Ctrl+K on a Windows PC, or Cmd+K on a Mac.

7. In the Link URL field, paste the URL you copied earlier, and click on the Apply button.

8. Now you need to add an extra bit of code to your link. Change the link to add the following code before the URL, like: <a href="/path/to/your/file.ext" download>Download File</a>

9. The download attribute in the code is what tells the browser to download, rather than display the file.

10. Review your post or page and make sure the download link is working as expected.

Conclusion

By following the simple steps outlined above, you can easily force a file to download instead of opening it in the browser in WordPress. This eliminates any frustration for your users when they want to save or share the file. So, go ahead and give it a try!