Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

Downloading WordPress Media Files with FTP

If you're looking to download WordPress media files but you're having trouble doing it through the CMS, then using an FTP client is the way to go. While all WordPress media files are available within the CMS, it can be difficult to batch download files, especially if you have a lot of media files to download. This guide provides a walkthrough on how to efficiently download WordPress media files through an FTP client.

Step 1: Log in to Your Website with FTP Client

The first step is to log in to your website using an FTP client. Popular FTP clients include FileZilla, CyberDuck, and WinSCP. Input your FTP credentials to log in to your website. Once you're connected, navigate to the directory that contains your WordPress installation. The location of your WordPress installation may vary depending on your web host.

Step 2: Locate the "wp-content" Folder

Within your WordPress installation directory, locate the "wp-content" folder. Within this folder, you'll find subfolders for plugins, themes, and uploads. The "uploads" folder is where all your media files are stored.

Step 3: Download the "Uploads" Folder

Within the "uploads" folder, you'll find files categorized by year and month. To download all your media files, zip the entire "uploads" folder. Right-click on the folder and select "Download" or "Download As." This will initiate the download process.

Step 4: Extract the Downloaded Zip File

Once the download is complete, extract the downloaded zip file. This will create a folder with the name "uploads" containing all your media files. You can now navigate through the folder to access any file you need.

In conclusion, downloading WordPress media files with an FTP client is a quick and easy process. By following the above steps, you can efficiently download all your media files without having to go through the CMS individually. This method is especially beneficial for those with large websites containing a lot of media files.