Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

WordPress: How to Restrict Download to Direct Link

WordPress has made it incredibly convenient to publish, share and distribute content within its platform. However, there may be occasions where you want to restrict download to direct link for various reasons such as protecting your content from unauthorized access and incentivizing users to opt for a paid subscription. In this article, we will explore how you can use a plugin to easily restrict download to direct link on your WordPress website.

Restricting Download to Direct Link using WP Private Content Pro

WP Private Content Pro is a user-friendly plugin that allows you to restrict content to specific users or user roles. With the plugin, you can make files available for download only if a user has a direct link to the file. Here's how you can use the plugin to achieve this:

1. Install the WP Private Content Pro plugin on your WordPress website and activate it.

2. Once the plugin is activated, go to the 'Private Content' menu, and select 'Settings'.

3. On the main settings page, you will see a section titled 'File and Attachment Protection'. Click on the 'Protect Files' tab.

4. In the 'Protect Files' tab, select 'Enable file protection' checkbox and selecting your desired file types.

5. Next, you need to select 'Protect using the direct link'. You will then be prompted to enter the direct link to the protected file.

6. Once you've entered the direct link, choose the user roles that have permission to access the protected file. You can also specify a message to display when someone attempts to access the file without the correct permission.

7. Save the settings and you're done! Your files are now protected and can only be downloaded with a direct link.

Conclusion

Restricting download to direct link is an effective way to secure your content from unauthorized access. With the WP Private Content Pro plugin, you can easily restrict access to files and attachments on your WordPress website. By following the above steps, you can set up the plugin to protect your files and ensure that only authorized users can download them.