DooFiles
Read-only mode
How read-only mode lets you browse, view and download files with DooFiles without changing anything, how to turn it on or off, and why it turns on by itself when wp-config.php sets DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT or DISALLOW_FILE_MODS.
Overview
In read-only mode, DooFiles lets you browse, view and download the files of your site, but not change them. Use it on sites where nobody should change files day to day: you keep a safe way to look at your files, and DooFiles cannot be used to change them.
What you can and cannot do
| You can | You cannot |
|---|---|
| Browse folders and search files | Save files in the editor |
| Open files in the editor to read them (View) | Upload files |
| Preview images, videos and PDF files | Create, rename, move or send files to the Trash |
| Download files | Compress or extract zip files |
| See the Activity log, the Space view and the Trash | Restore or delete items in the Trash |
| Change the settings of DooFiles | Restore previous versions |
| Make a folder private or public |
In read-only mode, the toolbar has no Upload files, New file or New folder, the right-click menu shows only the actions that do not change anything, and the indicator at the bottom of the folder panel reads Read-only mode.
Turn it on or off
- Go to DooFiles › Settings and open the Security card.
- Turn Read-only mode on or off.
- Click Save changes, and confirm your password.
The file manager shows a notice while it is on: Read-only mode is turned on in the DooFiles settings. You can browse, view and download files, but not change them.
[SCREENSHOT_HERE: The file manager in read-only mode, with the notice at the top, no Upload files button and the indicator reading Read-only mode]
When it turns on by itself
DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT and DISALLOW_FILE_MODS
WordPress lets you lock its file editors with these lines in wp-config.php:
define( 'DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true );
define( 'DISALLOW_FILE_MODS', true );DooFiles respects them: if either one is set, it works in read-only mode, and the file manager tells you which one: Read-only mode: DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT is turned on in wp-config.php. In DooFiles › Settings, the Read-only mode row shows as locked, because it can only be turned off in wp-config.php.
To change files with DooFiles on that site, remove that line from wp-config.php (or set it to false), by FTP or with the file manager of your hosting. Keep in mind that these lines also lock the theme and plugin editors of WordPress, and with DISALLOW_FILE_MODS, installing and updating plugins and themes.
A developer turned it on
If the file manager says Read-only mode is turned on for this site., a developer turned it on in the code of your site. The Read-only mode row in the settings shows which filter. See Filters and constants.
Your site asks for a second factor
If your site asks every administrator for a second factor, administrators who have not turned on theirs work in read-only mode until they do. The file manager tells them, with a Turn on your second factor link.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| I cannot turn off read-only mode in the settings | The row is locked by DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT or DISALLOW_FILE_MODS in wp-config.php, or by a developer filter. The row says which one |
| Read-only mode turned on after an update or a security plugin | A plugin or your hosting may have added DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT to wp-config.php. Check that file |
| Only some administrators are in read-only mode | Your site asks for a second factor, and they have not turned on theirs |
| The menu shows View instead of Edit for one file only | DooFiles is not in read-only mode: the server does not let PHP write that file. Check its permissions |
Need more help? Open a support ticket.