Settings Reference

General Settings

8 min read Updated Mar 11, 2026

Overview

General Settings control core WordPress Download Manager behavior including download methods, file storage, permalinks, and basic security options. These settings affect how packages are served to users across your entire site.

Prerequisites

  • WordPress Download Manager installed and activated
  • Administrator access to WordPress
  • Write permissions on upload directory

Accessing General Settings

  • Go to Downloads > Settings
  • Click General tab (default tab)

Settings Reference

URL Structure

Location: Settings > General > URL Structure
Description: Configure how URLs for packages and categories are generated. Avoid duplicate slugs for posts/pages.

  • Package URL Base: Base slug for all packages (e.g., wpdm-package).
  • Category URL Base: Base slug for package categories (e.g., wpdm-category).
  • Enable Archive Page: Toggle to create an archive page listing all downloads(e.g. all-downloads).

URL structure for Package URL Base:

Default: yoursite.com/download/package-name/
Custom: yoursite.com/wpdm-package/package-name/

URL structure for Category URL Base:

Default: yoursite.com/download-category/software/
Custom: yoursite.com/wpdm-category/software/

URL structure for  Archive Page(Enable/Disable):

Default: yoursite.com/all-downloads/
Custom: yoursite.com/all-files/

Use Cases:

  • Improves SEO by having clean and consistent URLs.
  • Helps users easily navigate packages and categories.

Package Settings

Location: Settings > General > Package Settings

Description: Options for managing file packages and editor integration in WordPress Download Manager.

  • Automatically delete expired packages: Automatically removes packages after they expire.
  • Delete a file when it is detached from a package: Only administrators can use this option; deletes individual files when they are removed from a package.
  • Delete attached files when deleting a package: Only administrators can use this option; deletes all files associated with a package when the package itself is deleted.
  • Enable Gutenberg editor for WordPress Download Manager: Use the Gutenberg editor for creating and editing packages.

Use Cases:

  • Keep server storage organized by automatically cleaning up old or unused packages.
  • Ensure file management remains under administrator control.
  • Improve user experience with Gutenberg’s block-based editor for package content.

Access Settings

Location: Settings > General > Access Settings
Options:

  • Exclude from search: Prevents packages from appearing in site search results.
  • When user is not allowed to download: Choose to hide everything or show a custom message.
  • File Browser Root: Define the root path for file browser access.
  • File Browser Access: Assign roles (e.g., Subscriber, Administrator, Editor) allowed to browse files.

Where package files are stored:

Relative: download-manager-files/
Absolute: /var/www/html/wp-content/uploads/download-manager-files/
Outside webroot: /var/secure-files/ (most secure)

Security Recommendation:
Store files outside the web root when possible:

/home/user/wpdm-files/

Then configure .htaccess to deny direct access.

Use Cases:

  • Control which users see or access certain files.
  • Improve security and privacy of downloadable content.

reCAPTCHA Enterprise Settings

Location: Settings > General > reCAPTCHA Enterprise
Options:

  • Google Cloud Project ID: Your project ID in Google Cloud.
  • reCAPTCHA Enterprise Site Key & API Key: Required keys for integration.
  • Enable sign-up form CAPTCHA validation: Protect registration forms from bots.
  • Enable sign-in form CAPTCHA validation: Protect login forms from bots.
  • Test reCAPTCHA Integration: Verify that CAPTCHA is correctly implemented.

Use Cases:

  • Prevent bot downloads and spam registrations.
  • Increase website security with Google’s reCAPTCHA Enterprise.

Learn more about Google reCAPTCHA Enterprise settings for Download Manager.

Verification Settings

Location: Settings > General > Verification Settings
Options:

  • Blocked IPs: Restrict downloads for specific IP addresses.
  • Blocked Domains & Emails: Prevent users from specific domains or email addresses from downloading.
  • Custom Messages: Display custom messages when access is blocked.

Blocked IPs:

127.0.0.1
192.168.1.*
10.0.0.0/24

Blocked Domains:

www.abc.com
www.test.de

Blocked Emails:

random123@abc.com
johndoe@gmail.com

Use Cases:

  • Prevent abuse from known malicious IPs.
  • Restrict access to certain organizations or users.

Upload Settings

Location: Settings > General > Upload Settings
Options:

  • Allowed file types to upload: Specify allowed extensions (e.g., zip,pdf,jpg,etc).
  • When File Already Exists: Options to rename, overwrite, or skip.
  • Sanitize Filename: Automatically remove unsafe characters.
  • Validate Content MimeType: Ensure uploaded file type matches extension.
  • Chunk Upload: Enable large file uploads by splitting into chunks.

Use Cases:

  • Maintain server security by limiting file types.
  • Ensure large files can be uploaded without errors.

Security: Don’t allow executable files (exe, php, js).

DropZone Settings

Location: Settings > General > DropZone Settings
Options:

  • Enable DropZone: Allows front-end drag and drop file uploads.
  • Who can access DropZone: Assign user roles that can upload.
  • Enable user-2-user file sharing: Activating this option allows front-end DropZone users to share uploaded files via a publicly sharable link.

Use Cases:

  • Simplifies front-end file submissions for users.
  • Enables easy file sharing between users without requiring backend access.
  • Increases collaboration by generating publicly sharable download links.

Media Files Access Control

Location: Settings > General > Media Files Access Control
Options:

  • Enable Media File Access Control For: Assign roles allowed to access media files (e.g., Subscriber, Editor, Administrator).

Use Cases:

  • Protect sensitive media files from unauthorized access.
  • Limit media downloads to specific user roles.

Messages

Location: Settings > General > Messages
Options:

  • Plugin Update Notice: Enable or disable notifications for plugin updates.
  • Permission Denied Message for Packages: Custom message for users without access.
  • Download Limit Message: Custom message for users who exceed download limits.
  • Login Required Message: Custom HTML message for login requirement.

Use Cases:

  • Improve user experience with clear instructions.
  • Communicate restrictions or requirements effectively.

File Download

Enable Parallel Download

Location: Settings > General > File Download
Type: Toggle (Enable/Disable)
Description: Allows multiple simultaneous downloads from the same IP address.

  • Enable – Users can download multiple files at once.
  • Disable – Restricts to one download at a time.

Use Cases:

  • Reduce server load from multiple simultaneous downloads.
  • Prevent abuse from automated bulk downloads.

Enable Auto Download

Location: Settings > General > File Download
Type: Toggle (Enable/Disable)
Description: Automatically starts the download once the lock option validation is completed.

Use Cases:

  • Improves user experience by removing the need for manual download clicks.
  • Useful for time-sensitive content delivery.

Ad-blocker Must Be Disabled to Download

Location: Settings > File Download
Type: Toggle (On/Off)
Description: Users must disable ad-blockers to initiate downloads.

Use Cases:

  • Ensure ad revenue is not bypassed.
  • Enforce site policies for ad visibility.

Private Download Link Usage Limit

Location: Settings > General > File Download
Type: Number
Description: Sets the maximum number of times a private download link can be used before it expires.

Example:

  • 3 = Link can be used three times only.

Use Cases:

  • Prevent abuse of private links.
  • Limit repeated access to restricted content.

Private Download Link Expiration Period

Location: Settings > General > File Download
Type: Number + Time Unit (Minutes, Hours, Days)
Description: Sets the duration after which a private download link expires, starting from its generation.

Use Cases:

  • Maintain security for sensitive files.
  • Encourage timely downloads.

Enable Flat Download Link

Location: Settings > General > File Download
Type: Toggle (On/Off)
Description: Generates easy-to-remember download links. (Feature still in test.)

Allow Search Engine to Index Attached Files

Location: Settings > General > File Download
Type: Toggle (On/Off)
Description: Removes no-index from the download header to allow search engines to index files.

Mask Download Link

Location: Settings > File Download
Type: Toggle (Mask/Unmask)
Description: Masks or unmasks download links. If unmasked, bots can easily find public download links.

Enable Single File Download

Location: Settings > General > File Download
Type: Toggle (Enable/Disable)
Description: Allows downloading individual files from a multi-file package.

Cache Created Zip File from Multi-file Package

Location: Settings > General > File Download
Type: Toggle (On/Off)
Description: Caches the zip file generated from a multi-file package to improve download speed for repeated requests.

Download Speed

Location: Settings > General > File Download
Type: Number (KB/s)
Default: 0 (Unlimited)
Description: Controls maximum download speed per connection.

Example:

  • 0 = Unlimited (recommended for most servers)
  • 1024 = 1 MB/s

Use Cases:

  • Prevent server overload.
  • Balance bandwidth usage across users.

Resumable Downloads & Output Buffering

Location: Settings > General > File Download
Type: Dropdown (Enabled/Disabled)
Description:

  • Resumable Downloads: Allows interrupted downloads to resume.
  • Output Buffering: Ensures server properly buffers files for download.

Use Cases:

  • Reduce failed downloads.
  • Improve reliability for large files.

Open in Browser / Open in New Window

Location: Settings > General > File Download
Type: Toggle (On/Off)
Description:

  • Open in Browser: Opens the file in the browser instead of downloading.
  • Open in New Window: Opens download link in a new tab/window.

Disable Master Download URL

Location: Settings > General > File Download
Type: Toggle (On/Off)
Description: Disables all old and new master download links to prevent unauthorized access.

Skip Lock for Logged-in User

Location: Settings > File Download
Type: User Selection
Description: Allows selected logged-in users to bypass download lock restrictions.

Saving Settings

After making changes:

  • Click Save Settings button
  • If permalinks changed, go to Settings > Permalinks
  • Click Save Changes to flush rewrite rules
  • Test a download to verify settings work

Troubleshooting

Downloads Start Then Fail

Causes:

  • Speed limit too low
  • PHP memory/timeout issues
  • Resume support conflict

Solutions:

  • Increase speed limit or set to 0
  • Increase PHP memory_limit
  • Try disabling resume support temporarily

404 on Package URLs

Cause: Permalink structure not refreshed

Solution:

  • Go to Settings > Permalinks
  • Click Save Changes (no changes needed)
  • Clear any caching

Files Not Uploading

Causes:

  • Chunk size too large
  • File type not allowed
  • Directory permissions

Solutions:

  • Reduce chunk size
  • Add file extension to allowed types
  • Check folder permissions (755)

Hotlink Protection Blocking Legitimate Users

Cause: Referrer not being sent

Solutions:

  • Add domain variations to allowed list
  • Some browsers/privacy tools block referrer
  • Consider disabling if causing issues

Related Documentation

Applies to: WordPress Download Manager 7.x