How can customers download a big EXE-file?

  • Hi, I understand that WordPress does not allow EXE-files to be uploaded to the site by default, because of security issues with that file type. But we run a business where we need to provide our clients to be able to download a big exe-file, and I guess many other sites do to. How can that be solved??? (This is a general question, not a can-you-look-at-my-site question.)

    Since it is a business site we want it to look good and be fast and secure. I see there is a plugin to allow more file-types in WordPress, so it could allow exe-file type, but would we risk security by doing that?? (Not so many people use that plugin…)

    We also want a file download count of that exe-file. Is there an “easy” way to code ourself an allow-exe-file-download with count function in the child theme functions-php-file??

    Today we use WP Download Manager for this exe-file, but we experience a big delay before download starts and now really needs to find another solution!
    Many times the download is interupted for our clients and we can′t have that (there is no problem with site speed and other normal files download just fine). It looks like it doesn′t even start to download, like there is a pre-start-process that is really slow. Would you guess that is because the file is big, well over 50 MB, or because there are some security issues being done in the background due to it is an exe-file (on our server, or on the downloading clints side?)?
    (Of cource I have asked the developer..)

    I have searched for hours but can not find any other plugin to handle exe-files, have I missed some obvious plugin (maybe combined with a shop or members functions??

    Our WordPress and plugins all at latest version, no other site or speed problem. Have tested to deactivate all other plugins, no conflicts.

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • Moderator Jan Dembowski

    (@jdembowski)

    Forum Moderator and Brute Squad

    Moved to Fixing WordPress, this is not a Developing with WordPress topic. Please do not use that forum for general support.

    Hi, I understand that WordPress does not allow EXE-files to be uploaded to the site by default, because of security issues with that file type.

    Try this plugin.

    https://www.ads-software.com/plugins/wp-extra-file-types/

    Thread Starter vitsippa

    (@vitsippa)

    Thank you for reply. Yes that is the plugin a did see:

    I see there is a plugin to allow more file-types in WordPress, so it could allow exe-file type, but would we risk security by doing that?? (Not so many people use that plugin…)

    If we allow a file type, that WordPress does not, will that put our site into security problems? (We are on a safe web hotel and have security plugins.)

    Someone want to share some thoughts on how we can set up a download counter to that file, if we just put it up like a normal download link, with the help of this extra-file-types-plugin?

    Thread Starter vitsippa

    (@vitsippa)

    HI I have done some more testing. Would be interesting if someone can tell me why our big file downloads like a flash lightning when I upload it like a single normal media file (thru ftp and with the help of “WP Extra File Types” and “Add from server”)? But thru WPDM the same file takes over a minute and many times throws an time-out-error.

    So now I know there is no problem with the exe-file type or the large size of the file. (And there is no plugin conflict, I have tested without all other plugins).

    I am looking for a general answer, is a file handled in totally different way throu download-plugin(s), maybe some tricky PHP-loop, than when downloading a file from a simple link to WordPress media manager/uploads? Is it counting the downloads and register statistics that takes time?

    I like to learn the differens…

    Hi, I’m trying to add a .exe file to our site for customers to download.

    I’ve installed the wp-extra-file-types plugin as recommended, and checked the “skip wordpress checks” to allow me to process a .exe file, but when I try to upload the .exe file onto a page, I get the same error as before:
    “Sorry, this file type is not permitted for security reasons.”

    Is there something else I need to do to enable .exes on my site?

    For reference, the answer to my question was that I needed to first upload the .exe file into the media library, and then attach it to the page.

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
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