Do you want to download all the images and media files from your WordPress website?
you can easily store backups of media files on your computer by downloading your media library, or if you create another WordPress site, you can also transfer these images from one site to another.
in this article, we will show you step by step how to easily download the entire WordPress library.
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WordPress Media inventory stores all media files you upload to the site. If you want to create a backup of these media files, you can easily do this by downloading a copy of the library and storing it on your computer.
you can always back up your entire WordPress site (including plug-ins, topics, posts, and media libraries) using a fully automated WordPress backup solution.
however, most backup plug-ins do not provide an easy way to download and upload your media library.
you can also use your WordPress host account file manager or FTP to download the media library, but these methods are a bit complicated and confusing for beginners. Having said that,
, we’ll show you some simple ways to easily download the entire library in WordPress.
- method 1. Use the export library plug-in to download library
- method 2. Download the entire WordPress backup
- method including media files 3. Use the WordPress setting to download the library
method 1. Use the export library plug-in to download the library
for this approach, we will use the plug-in to download the media file.
first, you need to install and activate the export library plug-in. For more information, see our guide on how to install the WordPress plug-in. After
is activated, go from your administrative area to the Media »export page. After
enters the Export Library page, simply select the single folder containing all Files option from the drop-down menu next to the folder structure option.
all your media will now be downloaded to one folder. They will be downloaded as raw file types, such as JPG, PNG, or SVG.
if you want to place the media in a separate folder based on the upload time, select the nested folder option from the drop-down menu. After
, simply click the download Zip button, and your entire library will be downloaded to a zip file on your computer.
method 2. Download the entire WordPress backup
, including media files, this method works for you if you want to create backups for the entire WordPress site, including media libraries.
We will use the Duplicator plug-in, which is the best WordPress backup plug-in on the market and allows you to create a full backup of the WordPress website.
first, you need to install and activate the Duplicator plug-in. For more information, see our guide on how to install the WordPress plug-in. After
is activated, you need to access the Duplicator »Packages page from the administrative sidebar, and then click the New button.
next, you need to choose a name for your WordPress backup. Once a
backup is downloaded to your computer, it can be anything that can help you identify the backup. After
, click the next button to continue. In the next step,
will scan your website for potential errors. After the
scan is complete, simply click the build button to create your package.
Note: if Duplicator highlights an error during scanning, you need to resolve the error before rescanning and building the package. After
builds the package, you need to click the download two files button.
your installer and archive files will now be downloaded at the same time.
your WordPress site backup (including media files) will now be downloaded and stored on your computer.
if you want to restore a WordPress backup, you may also want to see our guide on how to restore WordPress from a backup.
method 3. Download the library
using the WordPress settings in this approach, we will show you how to download the entire library from the WordPress back end and import it to another WordPress site.
Note: this method allows you to download the library without using any plug-ins. However, this method is not recommended because it exports your media as a XML file.
this method will come in handy if you want to import the WordPress library to one of your other sites.
to do this, go to the tools »export page in the WordPress Management Dashboard.
you are now on the Export page, just check the box next to the Media option.
if you don’t want to download the entire library, you can also select a date range for a specific time range. Using this feature, only images uploaded within the time frame of your choice will be downloaded.
finally, click the “download export file” button.
your WordPress media library will now be saved on your computer as an XML file.
next, you need to install and activate the WordPress Importer plug-in. For more instructions, see our guide on how to install the WordPress plug-in.
this plug-in will allow you to import XML files to another WordPress site.
first, you need to access the tools »from the administrative sidebar to import the page.
Then, all you have to do is click the “run importer” link under the “WordPress” option.
this will take you to the Import WordPress page, where you need to click the Select File button.
you can now upload your library XML files from your computer. After the
is complete, don’t forget to click the “upload File and Import” button on the media library.
