--- title: "Getting Started: Download WordPress Plugins and Themes From Your Dashboard" description: Download WordPress plugins and themes from your dashboard with one click, no FTP or cPanel. Getting started guide. url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/start/" updated: "2026-09-27" category: How to --- # Getting Started: Download WordPress Plugins and Themes From Your Dashboard [Download Plugins and Themes in ZIP from Dashboard](https://wpfactory.com/item/download-plugins-and-themes-from-dashboard-wordpress-plugin/) adds a **Download ZIP** link to every installed plugin and theme, plus **Download all** tools, so you can save copies without FTP or cPanel. Its settings are at **WPFactory > Download plugins and Themes**. It is a WordPress plugin and does not need WooCommerce. [![Download Plugins and Themes from the WordPress dashboard](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Download-Plugins-and-Themes-from-WordPress-Dashboard-Hero-Image.webp)](https://wpfactory.com/item/download-plugins-and-themes-from-dashboard-wordpress-plugin/) ## What it does Download Plugins and Themes packs any installed plugin or theme into a ZIP file and sends it to your browser. That is useful for backups, for moving a customized plugin to another site, or for keeping a copy before an update. Pro adds scheduled downloads to a server folder, bulk download of selected plugins, automatic ZIP clean-up and a customizable download link. ## Install and activate 1. Free: go to **Plugins > Add New**, search for **Download Plugins and Themes in ZIP from Dashboard**, then install and activate it. 2. Pro: download **Download Plugins and Themes in ZIP from Dashboard Pro** from your WPFactory account, upload the ZIP at **Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin** and activate it. For more detail, see [how to install Download Plugins and Themes from Dashboard](https://wpfactory.com/docs/plugin-theme-installation-guide/). ## First setup The plugin works as soon as it is active. These steps confirm it and set the ZIP format you want. 1. Go to **Plugins > Installed Plugins**. Each plugin now has a **Download ZIP** link. Click one to download that plugin. 2. Go to **Appearance > Themes** to find the same link for themes. 3. Open **WPFactory > Download plugins and Themes**. Under **Directory**, **Add plugin directory** and **Add theme directory** are **Yes** by default, so the ZIP contains the main folder and can be uploaded to another site as is. 4. Under **Version**, set **Append plugin version** or **Append theme version** to **Yes** (both **No** by default) if you want the version number in the file name. **Version separator character** defaults to a dot and takes one character, so version 2.3 of a plugin in the folder `my-plugin` is saved as `my-plugin.2.3.zip`. 5. Click **Save settings**. ## Main features ### Single plugin or theme download (Free) The **Download ZIP** link works for regular plugins, and for Must-Use and Drop-in plugins when you switch to those filters on the Plugins screen. See [how to download a single plugin or theme as a ZIP](https://wpfactory.com/docs/download-single-plugin-or-theme/). ### Download all (Free) The **Tools** section has a **Download all** button for plugins and one for themes. Must-Use and Drop-in plugins are not included in the plugins archive. See [how to use the Download all tools](https://wpfactory.com/docs/using-download-tools/). ### ZIP library and temporary directory (Free) In **Advanced Settings**, **ZIP library** defaults to ZipArchive when your server has it, otherwise PclZip. **Temporary directory** can stay blank to use the system default. See [advanced settings](https://wpfactory.com/docs/exploring-advanced-settings/). ### Bulk download selected plugins (Pro) Tick several plugins on the Plugins screen and choose **Download ZIP** from the bulk actions menu. See [how to bulk download selected plugins](https://wpfactory.com/docs/bulk-download-selected-plugins/). ### Periodical downloads (Pro) **Periodical plugins downloads** and **Periodical themes downloads** save archives to a server folder on a schedule, from once a minute to every 4 weeks. See [how to schedule automatic plugin and theme downloads](https://wpfactory.com/docs/automate-backups-pro/). ### Auto delete ZIP files (Pro) Removes the ZIP from the server after it is downloaded. See [how to auto-delete ZIP files after download](https://wpfactory.com/docs/auto-delete-zip-after-download/). ### Custom download link (Pro) The **Download plugin link** section changes the link's color, font weight and text (default: Download ZIP). See [how to customize the Download ZIP link](https://wpfactory.com/docs/customize-download-zip-link/). Every option is listed in the [settings reference](https://wpfactory.com/docs/download-plugins-themes-settings-reference/). ## Free vs Pro | Feature | Free | Pro | | --- | --- | --- | | Download ZIP link for plugins and themes | Yes | Yes | | Download all plugins or all themes | Yes | Yes | | Directory, version and separator options | Yes | Yes | | ZIP library and temporary directory | Yes | Yes | | Bulk download of selected plugins | No | Yes | | Periodical downloads (paths, date and time in file name) | No | Yes | | Auto Delete ZIP files | No | Yes | | Download link color, font weight and text | No | Yes | For a longer comparison, see [Download Plugins and Themes: Free vs Pro](https://wpfactory.com/docs/pro-vs-free-comparisons/). ## FAQ ### Who can download plugins and themes? Plugin downloads need the `activate_plugins` capability and theme downloads need `switch_themes`. Administrators have both. ### Does it have shortcodes? No. Everything happens in the WordPress admin. ### The Download ZIP link is missing. What should I check? Make sure you are logged in as an administrator and the plugin is active. See [Download ZIP link not showing](https://wpfactory.com/docs/download-zip-button-not-showing/). ### Download all fails or gives an empty file. Why? Large sites can hit the PHP memory limit. The Tools section shows your current limits. See [fix Download all on large sites](https://wpfactory.com/docs/fix-download-all-large-sites/). ### What does my server need? The `RecursiveIteratorIterator` class and the `zlib` extension. The plugin shows a notice if either is missing. ### Get more control Single and Download all downloads are free. [Download Plugins and Themes in ZIP from Dashboard](https://wpfactory.com/item/download-plugins-and-themes-from-dashboard-wordpress-plugin/) Pro adds scheduled downloads, bulk selected downloads, auto-delete and link styling. [See what Pro unlocks](https://wpfactory.com/item/download-plugins-and-themes-from-dashboard-wordpress-plugin/). Need a hand? Our team answers every ticket on the [Download Plugins and Themes support forum](https://wpfactory.com/support/item/download-plugins-and-themes-from-dashboard-wordpress-plugin/). Related articles - [Download Plugins and Themes: Developer Hooks and Filters Reference](https://wpfactory.com/docs/download-plugins-from-dashboard-developer-hooks-filters/) - [Using Download Plugins and Themes on a WordPress Multisite Network](https://wpfactory.com/docs/plugin-not-working-on-wordpress-multisite-network/) - [Bulk Download Plugins and Adding the Version to the ZIP Name](https://wpfactory.com/docs/bulk-download-plugins-themes/) - [Download All Plugins at Once](https://wpfactory.com/docs/download-all-plugins/) - [How to Customize What Goes Into Your Download ZIP](https://wpfactory.com/docs/customize-dashboard-downloads/)