Packages Management

Package Settings

8 min read Updated Feb 9, 2026

Overview

The Package Settings panel provides comprehensive configuration options for each download package. Located below the content editor when creating or editing a package, it contains tabbed sections for all package-specific settings.

Prerequisites

  • WordPress Download Manager installed
  • Editor or Administrator user role
  • At least one package created

Quick Start

  • Edit any package at Downloads > All Packages
  • Scroll to the Package Settings panel
  • Configure settings across the available tabs
  • Click Update to save changes

Accessing Package Settings

When editing a package, the Package Settings panel appears below the main content editor. It contains multiple tabs organizing different configuration options.

Package Settings Tab

Setting Description
Basic Information General details about the package, such size, version, and link label
Limits & Quota Rules that define stock limits and downloads per user
Statistics Download counts and view counts
Access Control Permissions and rules that control who can access or download the package
Download Options Configuration options related to how files are downloaded
Template Template used to define the layout and appearance of the download page
Master Key This key can be used for direct download without authentication

Basic Information

Core package information and behavior settings.

Version

Field: Version
Type: Text
Example: 2.1.0

The version number displayed to users. Useful for:

  • Software releases
  • Document revisions
  • Tracking updates

Version appears in templates using the [version] tag.

Link Label

Field: Link Label
Type: Text
Default: Download

Text displayed on the download button. Examples:

  • “Download Now”
  • “Get Free PDF”
  • “Download v2.0”

Package Size

Field: Package Size
Type: Text

Override calculated file size. Useful when:

  • Files are remote
  • Size calculation is incorrect
  • You want to show uncompressed size

Limits & Quotas

Stock Limit

Field: Stock Limit
Type: Number
Default: empty (unlimited)

Maximum total downloads allowed for this package. When reached:

  • Download button becomes disabled
  • Shows “Limit Over!” message
  • Admins can increase the limit

Download Limit Per User

Field: Per User Download Limit
Type: Number
Default: empty (unlimited)

Maximum downloads per logged-in user. Tracks downloads by user ID.

Note: Guest downloads are tracked by IP address with limited accuracy.

Statistics

Track package engagement and usage.

View Count

Field: View Count
Type: Number
Default: 0

Displays how many times the package page has been viewed. Useful for:

  • Measuring interest
  • Analyzing popularity
  • Reporting statistics

Download Count

Field: Download Count
Type: Number
Default: 0

Shows the total number of downloads for a package.

Note: Can be manually adjusted if needed.

Access Control

Define who can access and download the package.

Allow Access

Specifies which user roles are allowed to access the package.

Field: Allow Access
Type: Select
Default: All Visitors

Options may include:

  • All Visitors (default)
  • Custom Roles from membership plugins ( WP Pro Membership )
  • Specific WordPress roles (Subscriber, Editor, etc.)

If restricted, unauthorized users will not be able to access the package.

Download Options

Configure how downloads are handled.

Single File Download

Allows users to download individual files from multi-file packages.

Field: Single File Download
Type: radio (Use Global / Enable / Disable)
Default: Use Global

Enable: Users can download files separately

Disable: Users must download the full package

Use Global: Follows global plugin settings

Cache Zip File

Field: Cache Zip File
Type: radio (Use Global / Enable / Disable)
Default: Use Global

Caches the generated ZIP file for faster downloads. Useful when:

  • Packages contain many files
  • Reducing server load
  • Improving download speed

Templates

Control how download links and package pages are displayed.

Link Template

Field: Link Template
Type: Select
Default: Default Template

Defines the layout for download links. Used in:

  • Short-codes
  • Widgets
  • Embedded download buttons

Page Template

Field: Page Template
Type: Dropdown
Default: Default Template

Controls the design of the package details page. Allows customization of:

  • Layout
  • Styling
  • Information placement

Master Key

Direct access settings for secure downloads without authentication.

Direct Download Key

Field: Direct Download Key
Type: Auto generated String

A unique key that allows direct downloading without authentication. Useful for:

  • Private sharing
  • External integrations

Security note: Anyone with this key can download the package.

Lock Options Tab

Here you can apply different lock option to protect and promote your items. The package download can be secured using one or more Lock Options.

Add protection layers:

  • Password Lock: Require password to download
  • Email Lock: Collect email before download
  • Social Lock: Require social share/follow
  • CAPTCHA Lock: Verify human visitor
  • Terms Lock: Require acceptance of terms
  • Form Lock : Allows downloads to be protected with a form submission (requires add-on)

Check Access Control Overview and Download Protection for detailed lock options.

Icons Tab

Configure the package icon displayed in templates. Select any icon here if you want to show an icon with the download link. To use a custom icon, enter the icon’s URL in the Icon URL input field.

Pricing & Discounts Tab

This tab is designed for digital commerce only. It lets you set flexible pricing, manage discounts, and handle payments for downloadable products, perfect for selling software, documents, media files, and more.

Note: This tab stays hidden by default and becomes available after you click Activate Digital Store Option and install WordPress Download Manager’s Premium Package plugin.

Product Code

Field: Product Code
Type: Text
Example: PROD-ADV-001

A unique identifier for the product. Used for:

  • Internal product tracking
  • Order references
  • API or system integrations

Notes: Must be unique across all products

Pricing

Base Price

Field: Base Price
Type: Number
Default: 0.00

The minimum price required to purchase the product. Behavior:

  • If Pay as you want is disabled, this is the fixed price
  • If Pay as you want is enabled, this becomes the minimum allowed amount

Sales Price

Field: Sales Price
Type: Number
Default: 0.00

A discounted price that overrides the Base Price. Behavior:

  • Active until the Valid Until date (if set)
  • Automatically replaces the Base Price during the sale period

Valid Until

Field: Valid Until
Type: Date
Default: Empty

Defines the expiration date for the Sales Price. Behavior:

  • After this date, pricing reverts to Base Price
  • Useful for limited-time promotions or launches

Activate Extra Gigs

Field: Activate Extra Gigs
Type: Toggle
Default: Disabled

Enables additional paid add-ons for this product. Used for:

  • Up-sells
  • Customization
  • Additional services

Free Downloads

Section: Free Downloads
Action: Add Free File(s)

Attach files that users can download for free. Behavior:

  • Available without purchase
  • Useful for previews, samples, or bonus materials
  • Does not affect stock or download limits

Licensing Option

Field: Enable Licensing
Type: Toggle
Default: Disabled

Activates license key generation and validation. Used for:

  • Software products
  • Digital assets with usage restrictions

Assign Role

Field: Assign Role
Type: Select
Default: Use global

Assigns a user role after successful purchase. Used for:

  • Membership access
  • Course enrollment
  • Restricted content

Notes: Overrides global role assignment if selected

Role Based Discount

Section: Role Based Discount
Type: Percentage (%) per role

Apply automatic discounts based on the user’s role.

Attached Files

This section allows you to manage files associated with your content. This panel shows all the file attached to a single package. Individual file details are also shown from this section. Features:

  • Shows each file’s name and type
  • Displays the number of downloads per file
  • Highlights the currently selected file
  • Includes a search bar to quickly find files by name

Click on a file to view or edit its details.

File Details

Shows detailed information for the selected file:

  • File Name – The name of the uploaded file
  • File ID – A unique identifier generated by the system
  • File Version – Version number for tracking updates
  • File Password – Optional password for protected downloads
  • Update Date – Date the file was last updated
  • Price – Cost associated with the file (0 for free files)
  • Download Count – Total number of times the file has been downloaded

File Operations

From the attached file panel, the following actions are available:

  • Update file metadata (version, price, password, date)
  • Supports drag-and-drop ordering for rearranging multiple files
  • Search bar to quickly find files by name
  • Remove individual file
  • Monitor file usage through download counts

Changelog

This section lets you organize and display update histories for your downloadable products. Changelog present version changes, bug fixes, new features, and improvements to keep users informed and enhance transparency.

Best practices for changelog entries:

### Added
- New feature description

### Changed
- Updated functionality

### Fixed
- Bug fix description

### Removed
- Deprecated feature removed

Displaying Changelog

Use the [changelog] template tag in page templates, or the [wpdm_changelog] shortcode:

[wpdm_changelog id="123"]

Default Settings

Configure default settings for all packages using Default Values add-on
from Downloads > Settings > Default Values.

Note: New packages inherit these defaults.

Troubleshooting

Settings Not Saving

Cause: JavaScript error or session timeout

Solution:

  • Check browser console for errors
  • Ensure you’re logged in
  • Try a different browser

Version Not Updating

Cause: Cache or version field empty

Solution:

  • Enter version number explicitly
  • Clear any caching plugins
  • Save the package again

Files Not Showing

Cause: Files deleted from server

Solution:

  • Re-upload files
  • Check file permissions
  • Verify upload directory exists

Related Documentation

Applies to: WordPress Download Manager 7.x