How to Use a File Manager in WordPress

Discover in this tutorial how to use a file manager on WordPress and best WordPress plugins to manage files

A WordPress file manager is a plugin that allows users to perform file management tasks from the WordPress dashboard. Instead of connecting to your client cPanel ou FTP (File Transfer Protocol), you can access WordPress website files from a single location.

WordPress file managers have all the basic functionality users need to copy, move, upload, and delete files. Many of these plugins also have an intuitive user interface for easier navigation.

This article will share our recommendations of the top five WordPress file manager plugins to help you choose the right one. We will also cover the steps on how to use a file manager to upload these.

But before we start, if you have never installed WordPress, find out How to Install a WordPress Blog in 7 Steps et How to search, install and activate a WordPress theme on your blog 

Then back to why we are here.

What is a WordPress File Manager?

A WordPress file manager is a plugin that helps users easily manage files in WordPress. With it, website owners can manage their files and upload them directly without accessing their web hosting control panel or an FTP client.

5 Best WordPress File Manager Plugins

WordPress offers various plugins, including file managers, to add functionality to your WordPress website.

Before getting to the recommendations, consider the following aspects when choosing a WordPress Plugin file manager:

• Features – make sure the plugin offers essential functionality for users to manage files and folders. It is also important to check if they offer more advanced features such as a database or a code editor.
• Compatibility – check the latest updated version of the file manager. We recommend a plugin that has received an update within the last three months. Make sure the plugin is also compatible with the latest version of WordPress.
• Reliability – make sure the plugin is listed in the official directory of WordPress plugins. We also recommend checking if the plugin has positive customer reviews.

Now that you know what to look out for before choosing a file manager, here are our five WordPress plugins recommended file manager.

1. File Manager

WP File Manager provides an intuitive user interface with a clear structure pane and display.

The plugin is free, but you need to purchase a license to access its advanced features like creating private folders and controlling file operations for different user roles. These are useful if you have a team that manages multiple websites.

However, note that the WP File Manager plugin has recently encountered a security issue, so be sure to perform regular WordPress security checks.

2. Advanced File Manager

Advanced File Manager has a simple and intuitive user interface that helps you perform basic file management operations easily.

The premium version of this plugin offers advanced features, such as shortcodes for both logged in and non-logged in users. This lets you embed the file manager into front-end web pages, so users can download and upload files directly.

3. FileBird

FileBird helps users organize and manage their WordPress media library by sorting media files into folders.

This plugin is free, but it offers a premium plan for additional features, such as multiple page builders and six-month support. FileBird also has a free demo, so users can try out the file manager without installing it first.

4. Real Media Library

Real Media Library provides a simple and elegant user interface with a tree sidebar for better management of WordPress media library. Meanwhile, the search bar feature is useful for finding specific files quickly.

This file manager provides a free demo and The premium version for users who wish to eliminate all the restrictions of a free version. So you can try it out before downloading or using the plugin.

5. Filester

Filester is a WordPress Plugin freeware that offers full file management features. The user interface is clean and simple making it easy to use.

Filester allows you to edit WordPress configuration files as it has a built-in advanced code editor. It also has user authority settings feature where you can manage and access files from root directory.

How to Use WordPress File Manager to Transfer Files and Documents

In this section, we will go through the steps for installing and using different WordPress plugins file manager.

1. Install and activate the plugin

WordPress plugins can be installed from the dashboard, the official directory of WordPress plugins or via manual installation.

The following steps will show you how to install File Manager from the WordPress dashboard:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Extensions-> Add .
2. Look for “File Manager” in the search bar.
3. Click on the button Install now to start the installation.
4. Once the installation process is complete, click on the button Enable.

2. Upload files

File manager WordPress plugins offer various methods for uploading different types of files, including media files, text files, zip files, and folders. We will go over three methods in detail.

Upload manually

Here we use File Manager to manually upload WordPress site files.

1. Go to the WordPress dashboard and navigate to the File Manager plugin.

2. Click the icon Upload files in the toolbar and a Popup will appear.

3. There are two options: Select Files to Send and Choose Folder. Click on Select files to send.

4. Choose all the files you want to upload or upload. Then click on Open to begin the upload process.

Televerser files in the media library

In this section we will use the WordPress Plugin FileBird to upload files to the media library.

1. From your WordPress admin dashboard, navigate to Media -> Mediatheque.

2. Create a new folder by selecting the button New File, naming the folder, and then clicking Save..

3. Then click on the button Add.

4. Specify the file destination by clicking the drop-down list next to Choose folder. Then click the button Select files.

5. Select the files from your computer and click Open to download them.

Upload files by drag and drop

Another easy way to upload files and folders is to use the drag-and-drop feature of File Manager. We will use the plugin FileBird for example.

1. Open the WordPress dashboard and navigate to Media -> Mediatheque.

2. Next, navigate to your computer's files and select them.
3. Drag the files from the local folder to the file manager by holding down your left mouse button. Then drop them to upload them by releasing the button.

WordPress file managers are useful tools that help website owners manage various file management tasks without the need for a control panel or FTP access.

These plugins also provide tons of additional features, making them handy for users who have specific needs – for example, managing multiple websites.

Other recommended resources

We also invite you to consult the resources below to go further in the grip and control of your website and blog.

• How to Use WordPress Tags Correctly 
• How to upload SVGs to WordPress: 2 methods
• How to Add a WordPress Favicon With Ease
• How to use PuTTY (SSH terminal)
• How to Create a Simple Gutenberg Block WordPress Plugin

Conclusion

That's it for this guide that shows you how to change a WordPress theme. If you have any concerns or suggestions, please let us know within Comments.

However, you will also be able to consult our resources, if you need more elements to carry out your projects of creation of Internet sites, by consulting our guide on the WordPress blog creation or the one on Divi: the best WordPress theme of all time.

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