Title here
Summary here
Download Media Library
Need to backup your images? Migrating to a new host? Want monthly archives of uploaded media? This module packages your media library into downloadable ZIP files — the entire library or specific months.
Use Cases
- Create complete media library backups before migrations
- Archive monthly uploads for compliance or records
- Package media for client delivery
- Download specific months for selective restoration
How It Works
- Choose what to download: entire library or specific months
- Module scans your uploads directory
- Creates a ZIP file in background
- Provides download link when ready
- ZIP files auto-expire after 24 hours
Accessing Downloads
In the module settings panel:
- View total media library size
- See available months with file counts
- Click Download All for entire library
- Or click individual months to download specific periods
Download Options
Full Library
Downloads everything in wp-content/uploads:
- All images, documents, videos, audio
- All subdirectories and year/month folders
- Preserves folder structure
By Month
Downloads a specific year/month folder:
- Faster for large libraries
- Useful for recent backup needs
- Smaller, more manageable files
File Management
Generated ZIPs
ZIPs are stored in wp-content/uploads/switchboard-downloads/:
- Unique filename with timestamp
- Auto-deleted after 24 hours by cron
- Or manually delete from settings panel
Existing ZIPs
The settings panel shows previously generated ZIPs:
- File name and size
- Creation date
- Download or delete buttons
Technical Details
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| ZIP Method | PHP ZipArchive |
| Storage Location | wp-content/uploads/switchboard-downloads/ |
| Auto-Expiry | 24 hours |
| Processing | Background with AJAX progress |
| Max Size | Limited by PHP memory/timeout |
Large Library Handling
For very large libraries:
- Progress bar shows files processed
- ZIP creation runs in batches
- Consider downloading by month for huge libraries
- Server timeout limits may affect full downloads
FAQ
How long does the ZIP take to create?
Depends on library size and server speed. Small libraries (under 1GB) typically complete in minutes. Multi-GB libraries may take longer.Why did my download fail?
Large libraries may hit PHP timeout or memory limits. Try downloading by month instead, or contact your host about increasing limits.Are thumbnails included?
Yes. The ZIP includes everything in your uploads folder, including all generated thumbnail sizes.Can I schedule automatic backups?
This module is for on-demand downloads. For scheduled backups, use the Simple Backups module or a dedicated backup solution.Do ZIP files count against my storage?
Yes, temporarily. ZIPs auto-delete after 24 hours. You can also manually delete them immediately after downloading.For site migrations, download the media library ZIP, then use the Import Media feature on the new site (or upload via FTP) to restore all files.
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