Serve Download Monitor Files From Your Own Cloud, Not Your Hosting Plan
Download Monitor turns any file into a tracked, gated download, but every version you upload lives on your server and counts against your hosting plan. Infinite Uploads moves those files to cloud storage and a global CDN, so downloads stay fast without filling your disk.
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Download Monitor and Infinite Uploads: Downloads That Don't Fill Your Server
Every Download Monitor file lives in the protected dlm_uploads folder on your server by default. A popular whitepaper or software installer can spike bandwidth overnight, older versions of the same file pile up over time, and one large installer eats into a hosting plan sized for a normal WordPress site, not a download center.
Infinite Uploads moves those files to cloud storage and serves them from a global CDN. Download Monitor's Force Download method still streams the file through PHP from that cloud-backed path, so the link, the gating, and the hit counts stay the same. Redirect to file sends visitors straight to the CDN URL instead, the fastest option for a large installer.
Everything else about Download Monitor keeps working: shortcodes, the Gutenberg block, download logs, member locks, and version history. Older versions you keep for rollback still count toward your storage plan, but they no longer count against your host's disk, and every other image on the site gets the same CDN treatment.
Four Problems Infinite Uploads Solves for a Download Monitor Site
Most offload plugins move files and stop. Here's what matters when the files are what visitors came to download.
Every Download and Old Version Moves Off Your Server
Upload a file to a Download Monitor download and every version you keep lives in cloud storage instead of the dlm_uploads folder. A software installer with five old versions kept for rollback no longer eats into a hosting plan sized for a normal site, not a file library.
Big Installers and Whitepapers Stop Spiking Your Server
A file that gets shared widely, a product installer, a lead-magnet whitepaper, hits Download Monitor's Force Download or Redirect method and streams from the cloud-backed path instead of your origin. Pair it with our free Big File Uploads plugin when a single file tops your PHP upload limit.
Download Logs and Counts Keep Working, Media Gets Faster
Download Monitor's logs, counts, and reports still show every hit, and gated links and member locks still gate access. Everything else in the Media Library, screenshots, category thumbnails, and page images, gets optimized to AVIF and WebP and served from the same CDN your downloads use.
Media Folders Keep Every Version and Asset Findable
An agency running a download center with hundreds of installers, whitepapers, and past versions needs to find files fast. Media Folders, sort, and search keep this year's version separate from last year's, and unlimited sites on one account cover every client's download page.
Why Download-Heavy Sites Pair Download Monitor With Infinite Uploads
One Bill Instead of an S3 Account
Cloud storage, CDN bandwidth, and Video Cloud come on one monthly price. Skip setting up Download Monitor's Amazon S3 extension and handing out AWS access keys; Infinite Uploads is the cloud storage layer, no bucket to configure.
Move a Growing Download Library Without a Rebuild
The first sync moves every existing download and old version already on your server and rewrites the file paths. Shortcodes, gated links, and logs keep working, and one click restores files if you want them back.
Every Client Site on One Account
Agencies running a download center for several client sites connect them all to one Infinite Uploads account. Unlimited sites, one usage dashboard, no separate cloud credentials to hand over when a client site changes hands.
What Works, Feature by Feature
Feature
What you get
Force Download method
Streams the file through PHP from the cloud-backed path. The download link stays yours to control, and Download Monitor keeps counting hits the same way.
Works
Redirect to file method
Sends the visitor straight to the CDN URL, the fastest way to deliver a big installer. Like on your own server today, the direct link becomes visible and shareable.
Works
X-Sendfile
Not supported. X-Sendfile expects a local file path handed to the web server, and a cloud-backed file doesn't have one. Use Force Download or Redirect instead.
Not supported
dlm_uploads protected folder (.htaccess)
The rule that blocks direct access only reaches files still on your server. Protection for offloaded files comes from Download Monitor's own gated links and locks, plus an unguessable path.
Server-level only
Multiple file versions
Every version you upload and keep moves to cloud storage and serves from the CDN. Old versions kept for rollback or compliance still count toward your storage plan.
Counts toward storage
Amazon S3 extension
Not needed. Infinite Uploads is already the cloud storage behind every download, so there's no separate S3 bucket or AWS key to manage.
Not needed
Google Drive extension
Stays where it is. Infinite Uploads doesn't touch files linked from an external Google Drive URL, so that extension keeps working exactly as configured.
Stays external
Download logs, member locks, and form-gated downloads
Hit counts, password protection, and Page Addon, Email Lock, Gravity Forms, and Ninja Forms locks all run in WordPress before the file is served.
Works
WordPress Multisite networks
Every site in the network offloads its downloads and versions to the same connected account and storage plan.
Works
Up and Running in Three Steps
1. Connect Infinite Uploads
Install the plugin, connect your account, and sync. Existing downloads, versions, and images move to the cloud. Download Monitor is unchanged.
2. Upload New Files and Versions as Usual
Add a new download or a new version straight through Download Monitor. It uploads through the Media Library and offloads automatically, no extra step.
3. Free Up Local Storage
Once the sync completes, remove the local copies from Infinite Uploads settings. Your hosting plan gets its space back, and downloads keep serving from the CDN.
Good to Know Before You Switch
The dlm_uploads .htaccess protection only reaches files still on your server. Once a file offloads, its protection comes from Download Monitor's own gated links, password locks, and member checks, plus an unguessable file path, the same standard other download plugins rely on with cloud storage.
Redirect to file exposes the direct CDN URL, the same way it exposes the direct server URL today. If the file link itself needs to stay hidden, use Force Download instead. It streams through PHP from the cloud-backed path, so only Download Monitor's own link ever gets shared.
Old versions kept for rollback or compliance still count toward your storage plan. Delete versions you no longer need from Download Monitor as you always would; Infinite Uploads follows Download Monitor's own file list and doesn't add extra copies of its own.
How We Tested
- Created a download in Download Monitor and uploaded a PDF as version 1.
- Uploaded a second version of the same file and set Force Download as the method.
- Switched the download to Redirect to file and confirmed the link still worked.
- Set a member-only lock on a download and confirmed only logged-in members could access it.
- Checked the download log and confirmed hit counts recorded correctly.
Result: everything worked, no configuration needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Download Monitor's download logs and counts still work?
Yes. Hit counts, logs, and reports track the same whether the file lives on your server or in cloud storage. Nothing in Download Monitor's reporting changes.
What happens to files protected by the dlm_uploads folder?
The .htaccess rule that blocks direct access only reaches files still on your server. Once a file offloads, protection comes from Download Monitor's own gated links, locks, and the file's unguessable path instead.
Can I still use the Amazon S3 or Google Drive extensions?
You can, but you likely don't need the S3 extension since Infinite Uploads already is your cloud storage. Google Drive files stay right where they are; Infinite Uploads doesn't touch external URLs.
Which download method should I use, Force Download or Redirect?
Force Download streams the file through PHP and keeps the link hidden. Redirect sends the visitor straight to the CDN URL, faster for very large files but exposes the direct link, like it would on your own server.
Do member locks, password protection, and form-gated downloads still work?
Yes. Page Addon, Email Lock, Gravity Forms, Ninja Forms, and password or member-only restrictions all run in WordPress before the file is served, unchanged by where the file lives.
What if a download is bigger than my WordPress upload limit?
Add our free Big File Uploads plugin. It lifts the WordPress upload limit without server changes, so a large installer or archive uploads to Download Monitor normally.
Can I put a product demo video on a download page?
Yes. Upload it to the Video Library and embed it with the Infinite Uploads block anywhere a Download Monitor shortcode lives. Video Cloud, included on every plan, streams it in a customizable player, no separate video account.
Does this work on a network of client download sites?
Yes. Infinite Uploads supports WordPress Multisite on every plan. Every site offloads to the same account, so an agency running several download centers shares one storage pool and invoice.
More Download and File Plugins That Work With Infinite Uploads
- Infinite Uploads and WordPress Download Manager
- Infinite Uploads and Easy Digital Downloads
- Infinite Uploads and Document Library Pro
- See all integrations
Try Infinite Uploads Free for 7 Days
No cloud accounts. No access keys. Install the plugin, connect your site, and your downloads, versions, and logs start moving to the cloud automatically.
Plans from $8.25/mo. Unlimited WordPress sites included.