Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

How to Allow EXE Download on my WordPress Site

Having a WordPress site is an excellent way to showcase your content to the world. However, if you want to make your site even more functional, you may want to allow your visitors to download executable (EXE) files. This can be particularly useful if you are offering software or other applications that your audience can use on their computer.

By default, WordPress does not allow the download of EXE files as a security measure. However, with a few simple steps, you can enable your visitors to download EXE files safely.

Step 1: Install a Plugin

There are several plugins available in the WordPress plugin directory that can help you allow EXE downloads on your site. One of the most popular plugins is the "WP Add Mime Types" plugin. To install this plugin, follow these simple steps:

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard and click on "Plugins."
2. Click on "Add New" at the top of the page.
3. In the search bar, type "WP Add Mime Types" and click on "Install Now" next to the plugin.
4. Once the plugin is installed, click on "Activate" to enable it on your site.

Step 2: Add EXE MIME Types

Once you have installed and activated the "WP Add Mime Types" plugin, you need to add EXE MIME types to it. This will inform your site that it should allow the download of EXE files. To add MIME types, follow these steps:

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard and click on "Settings."
2. Click on "WP Add Mime Types."
3. Scroll down the page to the "Custom Mime Types" section.

4. Add the following MIME types in the provided fields:

   • Extension: exe, MIME type: application/octet-stream
   • Extension: zip, MIME type: application/zip

5. Click on "Save Settings" to save your changes.

Step 3: Upload Your EXE Files

Now that you have enabled EXE downloads on your site, you can upload your executable files. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard and click on "Media."
2. Click on "Add New" at the top of the page.
3. Select your EXE file and upload it to your site.
4. Once the file is uploaded, you can click on "Copy Link" to get the download link for the file.

Conclusion

Enabling EXE downloads on your WordPress site is a straightforward process that can make your site even more useful to your visitors. By installing and activating the "WP Add Mime Types" plugin and adding EXE MIME types, you can safely share your software and other applications with your audience. Remember, though, that it is crucial to ensure that your website and your files are secure. Therefore, it is always recommended to work with a reputable hosting provider and protect your site with a reliable security plugin.