Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

How to Disable Downloading in WordPress?

WordPress is an open-source content management system that allows you to create and manage websites with ease. One of the key features of WordPress is the ability to upload and share files, such as images, videos, and documents. However, in some cases, you may want to disable downloading of certain files.

The process of disabling downloading in WordPress involves disabling access to the file's URL. This can be done by using a plugin or editing the functions.php file in your WordPress theme.

Method 1: Using a Plugin

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to the "Plugins" section.
2. Click on "Add New" and search for the "Disable Downloads" plugin.
3. Install and activate the plugin.
4. Go to "Settings" > "Disable Downloads" to configure the plugin.
5. Select the file types you want to disable downloading for.
6. Save the changes.

Method 2: Editing functions.php

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to "Appearance" > "Editor".
2. Select "functions.php" from the list of files on the right-hand side.
3. Copy and paste the following code at the end of the file:

function wpb_filter_mime_types($mime_types){ $mime_types['pdf'] = 'application/pdf'; //Add the file type you want to disable downloading for return $mime_types; } add_filter('upload_mimes', 'wpb_filter_mime_types', 1, 1);

4. Replace "pdf" with the file type you want to disable downloading for.
5. Save the changes.

After following either of the two methods mentioned above, the specified file type(s) will be no longer available for downloading. This can be useful if you want to protect your intellectual property or prevent unauthorized downloading of your files.

In conclusion, disabling downloading in WordPress is a simple process that can be achieved through the use of a plugin or by editing the functions.php file. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can prevent users from downloading specific file types from your WordPress website.