A WordPress FTP solution located directly in your WordPress admin area would allow you to easily add, edit and delete WordPress themes and plugins. This type of FTP solution would also allow you to easily access and edit WordPress configuration files.

What is an FTP File Manager?

FTP simply stands for “File Transfer Protocol.” This is a method in which WordPress files (or other types of files) can be transferred from one host computer to another over a TCP-based network like the Internet.

FTP is also one of the oldest protocols in use today and is a convenient way to move files around. The FTP server offers you access to a directory with sub-directories. Users connect to these servers with an FTP client, a piece of software that lets you download and upload files to and from the server.

Most Internet users will never have a use for a WordPress FTP solution. However, if you are a web developer, then understanding how to use FTP is essential.

Why Should You Have an FTP File Manager in WordPress?

As stated above, this makes managing files and editing them much quicker and easier. Plus, if you don’t know how to upload files and use FTP or have access to an FTP client, then having an FTP file manager in WordPress can be very helpful.

Adding an FTP File Manager in WordPress

In order to add an FTP file solution into your WordPress admin area, the first thing you want to do is install and activate the File Manager plugin from your WordPress admin plugins page.

This is an FTP style file manager that allows you to manipulate and work on WordPress file folders directly from the WordPress dashboard. In otherwords, you have access to files without using something like FileZilla on your computer.

It is a flexible and easy to use file management system that you can perform all sorts of functions including:

• Edit
• Delete
• Upload
• Download
• Zip
• Copy
• Paste

Once the plugin has been installed and activated, you will see a tab on the left side of the WordPress admin dashboard titled “WP File Manager.” Click on it.

Clicking on this tab will launch the file manager and you will be able to see all your WordPress files and folders right there within the dashboard.

Above the WordPress file list, you will be able to see all of the settings. Within this toolbar, you can preview, edit, upload, download and delete files and folders. This toolbar provides a user with the same settings that an FTP client would.

Select a file from the list on the left, and then use the toolbar to perform the task you want or need. This FTP file manager in WordPress operates just like any modern FTP client would. Click on any folder to open it and view or edit content.

When you select a file to edit, it will open in a popup window. Make the changes you want and then click on the “Save” button to apply all changes made within the WordPress FTP solution.

Note: Double click on any file or folder to download it to your desktop.

If you don’t want to make any file changes, you can also simply click on the “preview” option to view code.

File Manager Pro Version

As is the case with so many plugins, this WordPress FTP file manager does have a pro version. File Manager Pro does all the things the free version does and much more.

The free version of this FTP file manager in WordPress is fairly extensive, so I encourage you to try it first. That being said, if you feel you want to try the pro version, it does come with a lot of extras including:

• Simple File Management
• User Management
• User Role Management
• Code Editor & Syntax Checker
• Built-In Database Manager
• Easy to Use Shortcodes
• Add-Ons & Integrations
• Non-Logged In Users Shortcode

If you are interested you can take a look and decide for yourself.

Other WordPress FTP File Manager Plugins

From what I found, the File Manager plugin that is used in the example above is pretty extensive and will do everything you want it to. However, there are also a couple of other options available to you.

Other FTP file manager in WordPress plugin options you may be interested in include:

Advanced File Manager: Edit, upload, delete, download, zip, copy WordPress files and folders. There are multiple file operations available. No need to access cPanel or FTP client. You can access files inside and outside the WordPress root directory.

File Manager: You can upload, delete, copy, move, rename, archive and extract files. You don’t need to worry about having access to FTP. The interface is simple and easy to use. Just install and activate the plugin and all your file management is located in one place.

There you go! I hope this article has shown you how easy it is to add an FTP file manager in WordPress. Having access to all of these files without having to access a cPanel or FTP client can be very useful to you.

Have you ever used any of the above FTP file manager solutions? Do you prefer to simply stick with using an FTP client to perform these operations?

The post How to Add an FTP File Manager in WordPress appeared first on GreenGeeks.

When you upload a normal media file, WordPress will save this data inside the database. It will then use the saved data to use these media files. Using an FTP client will not add the files in the way WordPress is used to and WordPress will not recognize them. Today, I will demonstrate how to get WordPress to recognize FTP uploaded files using the Add From Server plugin.

Couldn’t I Just Use the Media Library in WordPress

Absolutely. The media library is more than enough for most websites and you can even increase the maximum file upload limit on your website to meet your needs. It is the best option for new WordPress users by far. The only problems you will encounter is the upload limit and the files uploading very slowly when there are a lot of them at once. These problems do not exist when using an FTP client, but you do have the recognition problem.

Upload Your Files with the FTP Client of Your Choice

There are a lot of FTP clients to choose from. Each one will accomplish the same tasks, but they are all slightly different. This is especially true for Windows and Mac users. They do not have the FTP clients to choose from. I recommend using the FileZilla client. We have already created a guide detailing how to install and use FileZilla to upload to WordPress if you need guidance.

How to Make WordPress Recognize Media Files Uploaded by an FTP Client

Today, I will demonstrate how to get WordPress to recognize FTP uploaded files using the Add From Server plugin. This plugin has over 100,000 active installs and gets everything done with just a few simple clicks. If you do not have any media files uploaded via an FTP client, this tutorial will not help you. You must upload a media file via an FTP client before you begin and take note of which folder you place them in. I recommend placing them in the wp-content folder because that is where the plugin will look. To put it simply, this plugin makes your media files visible in the media library.

Installing Add From Server

Let’s start with clicking on Plugins and selecting the Add New option on the left-hand admin panel.

Search for Add From Server in the available search box. This will pull up additional plugins that you may find helpful.

Scroll down until you find the Add From Server plugin and click on the “Install Now” button and activate the plugin for use.

On the left-hand admin panel click on Media and select the Add From Server option. This will pull up the main settings page.

Using Add From Server

This plugin is very easy to use. You should see all the files inside of your wp-content folder. If you do not see your media files, then they are in a different location. If you see a red file highlighted, don’t worry, it just means you cannot touch it and should not need too. Simply check the boxes of all of the media files you would like to add to your media library and click the “Import” button.

The plugin will now begin adding all of the selected media files into your media library. The amount of time this takes is dependent on how many items you are uploading. Once the process is done you can view all of your media files in the media library.

On the left-hand admin panel, click on Media and select the Library option.

Congratulations, you have successfully learned how to make WordPress recognize your FTP uploaded media files. Unless you are bulk uploading, you will most likely benefit more from directly using the media library inside of WordPress.

An FTP Client Has a Lot of Uses

Your FTP client can do a lot more than simply uploading media files. One of the most common uses for an FTP client is restoring backups. You may one day encounter a situation that requires you to use a backup of your website to restore it and you will be using an FTP client to upload your backup file when the time comes.

Some other uses include uploading custom files for plugins and themes, organized video uploads, handling being locked out of your website, and much more. Keep in mind that you can also use the cPanel of your website to perform these actions as well, but it is all a matter of preference.

Which FTP client do you use? Do you prefer using an FTP client or using the media library to upload media files?

The post How to Make WordPress Recognize Media Files From FTP Clients appeared first on GreenGeeks.

The FTP program gives you access to root files and directories of the website. It is a very useful tool when you have to troubleshoot common WordPress errors or simply upload files and images. Although this may sound intimidating to some, actually using FTP is relatively easy.

In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to upload files to WordPress with FTP software.

When will you need to upload files when working with WordPress?

Although you can manage a lot of things from the admin panel, there are many instances when uploading will be more beneficial. This is especially true if you custom design your own code for certain parts of the site.

For Custom Files

Custom files are often part of getting more out of the WordPress experience. This can be anything from index pages to CSS files that add a bit of flair to appearance. In any case, you’ll need an efficient system to upload these files.

For Video Uploads

Many people will host their videos on the website. To keep files organized, they often upload these pieces into their directory. This helps keep the site clean and makes it much easier to find files at a later date.

Unable to Access the Admin Panel

What if you don’t have access to your admin screen or need to upload files from your laptop while on the go? Applications for FTP make this happen by creating a connection to your website without the use of logging into WordPress.

Restoring from Backups

One of the most common reasons to upload files is to restore the website from a backup copy. In the event something happens such as a hack or malware attack, getting the site back up and running could be as simple as uploading files. Just make sure you plug up the hole that allowed the hack or the malware attack to happen in the first place.

Using FTP to Upload Files to WordPress

In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to use FileZilla to upload files to WordPress. It’s a free program I’ve been using for quite some time, and it’s a very useful application to have. When you don’t have the money to spend on software you may not use regularly, FileZilla is a great alternative.

For the following example, I’m going to upload an image to WordPress through FTP. I know I can do this from the admin panel, but it’s an easy way to show you how this all works.

To use this FTP program to upload files:

Go to the FileZilla website and download the software.

NOTE: This program has versions available for Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.

Install the application by following the instructions after opening the downloaded file.

Open a browser and access your cPanel dashboard.

Locate your FTP credentials for the specific website.

NOTE: If you have multiple accounts, you’ll need to make sure you get the right login information. This data is used to allow FileZilla to connect to your web host remotely.

Open FileZilla and enter your FTP credentials.

NOTE: If you need help with learning how to use FileZilla, we have a detailed guide available complete with screenshots.

Once your credentials are in the software, connect to your web host account.

In the program, you’ll see two columns of windows. The ones on the left are your computer system, or “Local site.” This will display your folders and files just as if you were looking at the files on your computer. The windows on the right, or “Remote site,” will show the root folder of your website as it appears on your host.

Most of the time, you’ll upload files to the “wp-content” folder. Open this area.

In the content folder, you’ll see the location for plugins, themes, and uploads. Because images are saved in the “uploads” folder, this is the one we’re going to open.

Now, you’ll see a collection of folders labeled by years. WordPress will time-stamp uploads according to when they were sent to the system. Find the current year and open the folder.

In this next screen, you’ll see folders arranged by the numerical month. For instance, January is labeled, “01.” Find the correct month and open this folder.

Back to the local site window, look for the image file you want to upload. Mine is located in a secondary hard drive used for storing graphics. Using the window on the top left of FileZilla, I will explore that drive. Your layout may be much different from mine. Just remember that this window works just like your computer’s file system.

Once you find the file you want, drag it from the bottom left window into the bottom right and drop the file. FileZilla will then automatically upload it to the system.

It’s important to note that uploading an image in this fashion does not add it to the WordPress media folder. However, the URL of the image will be the same. For instance, it will look something similar to:

www.ggexample.com/uploads/2017/01/NewUploadedImage.jpg.

Any file can be sent to the system through FTP in this manner. This includes docs, videos, music, and applications. Just keep in mind that large files may take a bit of time to upload because of their size and the type of Internet connection you use.

Can I upload bulk files, or am I stuck with uploading one at a time?

Most FTP programs can upload more than one file at a time. In fact, you can select a folder filled with various material and upload the whole thing all at once. FileZilla also has the ability to select more than one file by holding down the “Ctrl” key on Windows computers or “Command” key on Macs and clicking on each one you want to upload.

Will the files I upload disappear if WordPress is updated?

Files that are uploaded to WordPress will remain after the system is updated. The only time custom changes are affected by an update is if you add custom coding to files that are already in the system, such as those in themes or plugins. Otherwise, uploads will be unaffected during updates.

Why should I use FTP instead of plugins like “File Manager?”

Plugins are one of the things that make WordPress such a powerful tool. However, not every situation is best handled by a plugin. What if you don’t have access to the admin panel? Besides, FTP programs are far more versatile than many management plugins available in WordPress. Many will offer abilities such as changing file permissions or quickly creating backups.

Although there are many tools in WordPress that FTP can’t emulate, it’s still an excellent idea to have the program installed in the event of an emergency. Not only does the software give you a way to upload material, but it can also be used to create complete backups of your website by downloading the entire root folder. Don’t assume WordPress can handle it all. While it’s a good system, sometimes the scenic route is the easiest.

What kind of things would you like to upload to your website? Do you have a favorite FTP program that you want to use with WordPress?

The post How to Upload Files to WordPress with FTP appeared first on GreenGeeks.

WordPress is an excellent system when it comes to support and constant development. Any time there is a new release, users are notified through the admin dashboard. While you can automatically update the platform with just a few presses of the buttons, sometimes a manual upgrade is more ideal.

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to manually update WordPress to the latest version using FTP. This has potential to save you a great deal of trouble depending on the circumstances.

What is FTP, and why should you use it for manual updates?

File transfer protocol, or FTP, is a method used that connects your computer system with your web hosting provider. Software such as FileZilla essentially give you complete access to files of your website. For many developers, this is often a preferred method for making customized changes to templates and other files.

For the most part, WordPress will update its own minor additions without input from you. These are often quick fixes that the developers send out when they spot something minor that needs tweaking. Major updates, on the other hand, require more attention and often will not complete until you do this yourself.

Although WordPress is a resilient platform, sometimes updating through the admin panel is not possible. Perhaps you’re unable to access the WordPress admin dashboard. As a result, you may not be able to update WordPress to the newest version. That’s when FTP applications come into play.

4 Steps to Use FTP to Manually Update WordPress

Updating WordPress is not as difficult of a process as some may think. Even if you’re not a programmer or developer, this is done easily through the FTP program of your choice. Today, we’re going to use the free program, FileZilla. This software is compatible with many operating systems and is downloaded by visiting the FileZilla website.

Once you’ve downloaded and installed your FTP program, you’re ready to begin. Here are four steps to update your WordPress manually with FTP applications.

Step 1: Back Up Your Website

Before you make any changes to any website, it’s always good practice to back up your files. In the event that something goes wrong, you don’t want to lose important data. This is done easily in two ways: backup plugins or copy the site with FTP.

Backup Plugins

Plugins to back up your files in WordPress are convenient. Some can be set to do this automatically. Plugins like blogVault Real-time Backup are nice because they will save your files directly to a Cloud-based server and easy to access.

FTP Backup

When you use programs like FileZilla, you can copy all of the files from your website and save them directly onto your computer. Essentially, you can make a duplicate copy for safe-keeping. However, you’ll need to backup the database separately by using phpMyAdmin from your web host. This is usually found in cPanel in the database section if you are using that system.

Step 2: Download a Recent Copy of WordPress

By going to the WordPress.org website, you can download the most recent copy of the content management system for free. It will come in a ZIP format and will need to be extracted into its own folder.

Once you have a separate WordPress folder unpacked onto your computer, you can start the process of updating.

Step 3: Using FTP to Upload Files

Open your FTP program. If you’re using FileZilla, it will automatically check for updates when you first load it. If there is an update available, click the button to install the newest version. This usually takes less than a minute depending on the speed of your Internet connection.

Once the FTP program is loaded, connect to your WordPress root folder. In the local site window, find the WordPress folder you recently unpacked from the ZIP file you downloaded. It will have folders inside it such as wp-admin and wp-content.

Select all of the files and directories within your new WordPress folder and upload them to the root of your web host. Note that both the local and the remote screen of your FTP program should look similar in regards to the files each contains.

When FileZilla begins uploading files, it will give you a message that states, “Target file already exists.” This is normal. Select the radio button to “Overwrite” and check the box for “Apply to current queue only” on the bottom right. Click “OK” and FileZilla will upload the rest of the files without giving you this message again.

After the files are uploaded to your website, you can shut down FileZilla. Your website will now be using the latest version of WordPress.

Step 4: Updating the Database – Optional

Some installations may require a database update as well. Luckily, you can do this after you manually update WordPress. To do this:

Log into your WordPress admin area.

If WordPress shows you a message that reads, “Database Update Required,” you’ll see a button under the message to, “Update WordPress Database.”

Click this button.

After a few moments, the system will display a success message after it completes its task. At which point, your website will be set to the newest version and ready for more content.

Will this remove my themes and plugins from the website?

When you upload files and directories through FTP, the only things that will be overwritten are the core operating files of WordPress. Themes and plugins should remain untouched and working. Your own custom CSS to WordPress themes or plugins will remain unaffected by a manual update.

However, you may want to check to make sure your themes and plugins are compatible with the newest version of WordPress.

If you have made custom code changes to the WordPress default themes, such as Twenty Fifteen or Twenty Sixteen, these will be removed. This is because they are included in the files that are uploaded to your root folder.

Will this get rid of custom scripts and CSS adjustments in WordPress?

If you customized the core files of WordPress, then your modifications will be removed after the update. Adjustments to themes, plugins and the like should be unaffected as those files are not replaced or overwritten. In reality, it’s uncommon that core files are modified by users such as yourself.

Any changes you make to the wp-config.php file will remain unaffected as well. Because this file holds a large portion of how your website behaves and operates, it’s usually not the target of an update.

In the event that something is wrong with this file, the update ZIP does come with a “sample” of wp-config.php that can be renamed and used to fix your site. However, you don’t want to do this unless the config file is somehow broken. This file stores all of the functions of your site and replacing it will set everything back to default.

Using FTP to modify your website can have a lot of benefits. Whether you’re updating WordPress manually or simply backing the files up, free applications like FileZilla can save you time and energy. In any event, it’s always best to make sure your copy of WordPress is always running the latest version.

How often do you use FTP to fix problems on your site? What FTP program do you find to be the best value?

The post How to Use FTP to Manually Update WordPress appeared first on GreenGeeks.