Download folder - Relocating

Storing downloads outside of webroot

With Zen Cart it is possible to relocate the “download” folder outside your webroot folder so that thieves cannot directly link to real files on your server and download without paying or being authenticated.

To do this, you must:

  1. Choose a download method of either “Download by Streaming” or “Download by Redirect” from Admin > Configuration > Attribute Settings.
    If you’re using a Linux server, either option is suitable.
    If you’re using a Windows server running IIS, you may not be able use redirects (depending on PHP version and whether or not your server allows PHP symlinks). Instead, you will need to use Download by Streaming in order to handle secured downloads.

  2. Use your FTP tool to move your “download” folder outside your webroot. Perhaps drag-and-drop it to a level “above” your public_html folder.  The method you choose for moving or creating this folder will depend on your hosting account and the tools available to you for moving folders.

    Usually the “download” folder is located inside your store area, for example:

    • /home/my_user_name/public_html/mystore/download

    You want to move it “above” your public_html folder, something like this:

    • /home/my_user_name/download
  3. Edit your two configure.php files to show the new path to your download folder:

    • /includes/configure.php
    • /YOURADMIN/includes/configure.php

In Zen Cart 1.5.5 and higher:

There is no line setting DIR_FS_DOWNLOAD in these versions of Zen Cart. You must add a line to the bottom of your configure.php files that says something like

define('DIR_FS_DOWNLOAD', '/home/my_user_name/download/');

In Zen Cart 1.5.4 and lower:

You’ll need to edit the line that says this:

define('DIR_FS_DOWNLOAD', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'download/');

to look something like this:

define('DIR_FS_DOWNLOAD', '/home/my_user_name/download/');

Specifically, you need to indicate the exact complete path for the webserver’s filesystem that points to your download folder.  You could use your DIR_FS_CATALOG entry in your configure.php file as a reference, and make appropriate adjustments.  Your FTP program and/or your webserver’s hosting control panel should be able to help you understand the complete path.

As an example, if your DIR_FS_CATALOG value is set as follows:

define('DIR_FS_CATALOG', '/home/jimmy/public_html/store/');

then you would want

define('DIR_FS_DOWNLOAD', '/home/jimmy/download/');




Still have questions? Use the Search box in the upper right, or try the full list of FAQs. If you can't find it there, head over to the Zen Cart support forum and ask there in the appropriate subforum. In your post, please include your Zen Cart and PHP versions, and a link to your site.

Is there an error or omission on this page? Please post to General Questions on the support forum. Or, if you'd like to open a pull request, just review the guidelines and get started. You can even PR right here.
Last modified September 20, 2020 by Scott C Wilson (f3bd368).