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How to Add an FTP-Like File Manager in Your WordPress Dashboard

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Do you want to add an FTP-like file manager in your WordPress admin area?

A file manager allows you to edit your WordPress configuration, themes, plugins, and other files right from the WordPress admin dashboard. This is perfect when you need to change your website’s files but don’t have access to FTP or cPanel.

In this article, we will show you how to easily add an FTP-like file manager in WordPress.

How to add a FTP like file manager in your WordPress dashboard

Why Do You Need an FTP-Like File Manager in WordPress?

When you need to securely transfer WordPress files, we always recommend using an FTP client that supports the SSH or SFTP protocols.

However, a file manager is helpful if you don’t have access to FTP or the cPanel account provided by your web hosting provider. For example, you might contribute to a multi-author WordPress blog and only have limited access and permissions.

In this case, a file manager allows you to edit, preview, upload, and download the WordPress configuration and other files. You can think of it as a web-based FTP client.

That being said, let’s take a look at how to easily add an FTP-like file manager to your WordPress website.

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Adding an FTP-Like File Manager in WordPress

The easiest way to add an FTP-like file manager to your WordPress website is by using the File Manager plugin. It allows you to edit files on a remote server using a simple user interface.

The first thing you need to do is to install and activate the File Manager plugin. For more details, see our step-by-step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Upon activation, you will see a new WP File Manager option in the WordPress sidebar. Simply click on it to open the file manager app, which will show all your WordPress files and folders.

A file manager WordPress plugin

Above the files, you will see a toolbar showing all the File Manager settings.

This toolbar is similar to the settings in an FTP client, and it has everything you need to preview, edit, upload, download, and delete files or folders.

Editing files and folders using a WordPress file manager

To work with a file or folder, simply give it a click and then select any of the settings in the File Manager toolbar.

If you are familiar with FTP clients, then the folders work in exactly the same way. Simply click on any folder to open it and see its contents.

An FTP like file manager, in the WordPress dashboard

To edit a file on your WordPress blog, simply click on the ‘Edit file’ button.

This will open the file in a new window, ready for you to make your changes.

Editing files using an FTP like file manager in WordPress

If you just want to look at a file’s contents, then you can click on the ‘Preview’ button.

This is the button that looks like a small eye icon in the toolbar.

Previewing files using an FTP like file manager

Sometimes, you may want to make changes to your website’s images. For example, you might save time by bulk uploading media files in WordPress.

Simply go to the wp-content » uploads folder and then click on the ‘Upload Files’ button.

Uploading files using a file manager WordPress plugin

You can also upload zip files and extract them in the file manager.

We hope this article helped you learn how to add an FTP-like file manager in WordPress. You may also want to see our guide on how to create a file upload form in WordPress or see our expert picks for the must-have WordPress plugins to grow your website.

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Editorial Staff

Editorial Staff at WPBeginner is a team of WordPress experts led by Syed Balkhi with over 16 years of experience in WordPress, Web Hosting, eCommerce, SEO, and Marketing. Started in 2009, WPBeginner is now the largest free WordPress resource site in the industry and is often referred to as the Wikipedia for WordPress.

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Reader Interactions

30 CommentsLeave a Reply

  1. Syed Balkhi says

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    Did you know you can win exciting prizes by commenting on WPBeginner?
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  2. Jiří Vaněk says

    Is there an option in the plugin to also set permissions for folder files, or is full FTP access required for this?

    • WPBeginner Support says

      File permissions would still require FTP or the hosting provider’s file manager.

      Admin

      • Jiří Vaněk says

        I understand. So it’s basically just a lightweight version of some webftp client, for example for websites that don’t have regular access to FTP, but at the same time it doesn’t fully replace access to FTP. It doesn’t matter, it can be useful as an emergency alternative and it’s good to know. Thanks

  3. Prateek says

    Upload folder is not opening in my file manager. Its keep on trying for a long and then shows below error:

    “Unable to connect to backend.
    Backend not found.
    HTTP error 404”

    How to resolve this isssue

    • WPBeginner Support says

      You would want to reach out to the plugin’s support and they should be able to assist.

      Admin

  4. ajit says

    Can I access the file manager plugin from outside wordpress dashboard in case of not able to reach admin dashboard because of http https error? plz help

    • WPBeginner Support says

      No, you would not be able to use the plugin outside your WordPress site, for that you would want to use FTP or a file manager if your host has one.

      Admin

  5. Ashkan says

    This plugin has been removed from WordPress and is no longer available. Can you please recommend another good FTIP like plugin_

    • WPBeginner Support says

      Not at the moment but the plugin should still be available when visiting the link in our article :)

      Admin

  6. kathy says

    Thanks for the plug-in. It works great to access individual files. Now I want to do some things in bulk. How can I download a folder with all of it’s files and sub-folder files? I am only seeing a download option on individual files and that would take forever.

  7. exzavia says

    I need major help. Well I have the plugin… and I uploaded a pdf to folder in which I want to see it displayed but when I log back into the site its not showing up to be viewed or printed like the other documents

  8. jade says

    Can you use this to display files within folders to blog visitors – allowing them to download files?

  9. Anant Shrivastava says

    Those who were facing issues are requested to try 1.4.0 version of the plugin that should solve all errors and issues.

    • Andrei Goea says

      Hi,

      Great plug-in.

      Om WordPress 3.6 I get quite a few errors:

      Notice: Undefined index: action in /home4/mediapo1/public_html/prportal/wp-content/plugins/wp-filemanager/wp-filemanager.php on line 65

      Notice: has_cap was called with an argument that is deprecated since version 2.0! Usage of user levels by plugins and themes is deprecated. Use roles and capabilities instead. in /home4/mediapo1/public_html/prportal/wp-includes/functions.php on line 2969

      Notice: has_cap was called with an argument that is deprecated since version 2.0! Usage of user levels by plugins and themes is deprecated. Use roles and capabilities instead. in /home4/mediapo1/public_html/prportal/wp-includes/functions.php on line 2969

      I am running on a multi-site installation.

      Also, how can I increase the upload file size to more than 256mb?

      Thank you.

  10. anantshri says

    Hi All,
     
    thanks for taking time to review the plugin.
     
    I am the plugin author and i have recently updated the plugin to 1.3.0 lots of warnings and issues have been fixed as well as compatibility with advance access manager is resolved now.
     
    Please update your plugin to enjoy.

  11. wimmm says

    I followed the instructions described here above, but get the message ‘Invalid home folder.’ above the file management screen. I left the filemanager default home location on ../

  12. AdelRaouti says

    I couldn’t install it in multisite wp

    I had this message :

    Warning: require_once(../wp-config.php) [function.require-once]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/********/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wp-filemanager/fm.php on line 3 Fatal error: require_once() [function.require]: Failed opening required ‘../wp-config.php’ (include_path=’.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php’) in /home/*********/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wp-filemanager/fm.php on line 3

    • m.wijnberger says

      i answered my own question just yet :-)

      —-

      from the plugin-page:

      WP-Filemanager is your one stop solution for all file management work right from the wordpress admin page.

      —-

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