Description
Apex Folders adds folders to the WordPress Media Library so you can find files in seconds instead of scrolling through thousands of them. Drag files into folders, upload straight into a folder, and filter by folder right inside the editor’s media picker.
Everything is free. There is no Pro version, no locked features and no upgrade nags. Folders, subfolders, drag and drop and bulk moves are all included, with no limits on how many folders or files you organize.
Features
- Folders and subfolders in a sidebar next to your Media Library, with live file counts
- Drag and drop: drop any file onto a folder to move it
- Bulk moves: use the Media Library’s own Bulk select, then drag the whole selection at once
- Upload to a folder: pick the folder in the uploader, or just upload while viewing a folder
- Folder filter in the editor: filter by folder in the media modal used by the block editor and classic editor
- Works in grid and list view, and with the folder shown in each file’s details panel
- Unassigned folder: anything without a folder is kept together, never lost
- Nothing moves on disk: folders are virtual, so file URLs never change and nothing breaks
- Translation ready and built on WordPress’s own taxonomy system, with no extra database tables
Why Apex Folders instead of a “freemium” folder plugin?
Most Media Library folder plugins give you a taste for free and charge for subfolders, bulk moves or removing the folder limit. Apex Folders is the whole tool. It is made by a web agency that needed it on its own client sites, and it is free as a thank-you to the WordPress community.
Part of Apex
Apex Folders is part of Apex by Mountain Air Web: a family of small, focused tools for web agencies, including Apex Proof for client feedback, Apex Launch for site checks and Apex Scout for sizing up a prospect’s site.
Additional Information
Folder Hierarchy
Create as many folders as you like, each with its own subfolders. Keeping the hierarchy to one level of subfolders keeps the sidebar quick to scan.
Admin Tools
Administrators have access to helpful tools for managing folders, including:
* Rebuild Unassigned Folder – ensures all media has proper folder assignments
* Flush Term Cache – resolves issues with folder counts
* Debug Tools – helps troubleshoot folder-related issues
Performance Considerations
The plugin is optimized for performance but managing folders with thousands of files may experience slight delays. We recommend using a good caching solution for sites with very large media libraries.
Screenshots
Installation
- Upload the
apex-foldersfolder to the/wp-content/plugins/directory, or install the plugin through the WordPress plugins screen directly. - Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ screen in WordPress
- Navigate to your Media Library to start creating folders and organizing your media files
- To access plugin settings, go to Settings > Media and find the “Apex Folders Settings” section
FAQ
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Does this plugin change my file structure on the server?
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No, Apex Folders organizes your media files virtually using WordPress taxonomies. Your actual file structure on the server remains unchanged, and no files are duplicated.
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Is there a Pro version?
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No. Every feature is in this free plugin, and it will stay that way.
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Can I move multiple files at once?
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Yes. Click Bulk select in the Media Library, select the files, then drag any one of them onto a folder.
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Can I upload straight into a folder?
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Yes. Open a folder and upload, or pick a folder in the uploader’s “Upload to folder” dropdown. Every file in the batch goes to that folder.
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Does this work with the block editor (Gutenberg)?
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Yes, Apex Folders is fully compatible with the block editor and its media selection interface.
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What happens if I deactivate or uninstall the plugin?
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If you deactivate the plugin, your folders will be hidden but the data is preserved. If you choose to uninstall the plugin, you have the option to remove all folder data or keep it in case you reinstall the plugin later.
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Can I limit which user roles can manage folders?
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By default, users who can upload media can also manage folders. The folder functionality respects WordPress’s built-in permission system for media management.
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Does this plugin work with other media library enhancer plugins?
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Apex Folders is designed to be compatible with most media library plugins. However, conflicts may occur with other plugins that modify the media library’s core functionality. If you encounter issues, please contact us for support.
Reviews
There are no reviews for this plugin.
Contributors & Developers
“Apex Folders – Media Library Folders, 100% Free” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.
Contributors
Translate “Apex Folders – Media Library Folders, 100% Free” into your language.
Interested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.
Changelog
1.1.1
- New look: the folder sidebar, uploader and filters follow the Apex design, with folder icons, count badges and hover actions.
- Bulk moves use WordPress’s own Bulk select: select files, then drag any of them onto a folder. The separate “Bulk Drag and Drop” button is gone.
- Fixed: the folder filter was hidden in the block editor’s media modal.
- Fixed: the sidebar could flash unstyled for a moment in list view.
1.1.0
- Fixed: uploading several files at once no longer reloads the page after the first file. Files now appear in the folder as they finish uploading.
- Fixed: uploads go to the folder you are viewing by default, and the folder chosen in the uploader is sent with every file.
- Fixed: the upload folder no longer “sticks” to a folder picked earlier on another page.
- Fixed: moving a file from its details panel or by drag and drop removes it from the old folder view and updates the counts.
- Fixed: drag and drop works on the first attempt in current browsers.
- Fixed: folder counts stay accurate without repeated recounts, and the folder filter shows live counts.
- Fixed: the Unassigned folder is found reliably on translated sites and can no longer be deleted or renamed.
- Changed: folders can now have numeric names, such as “2024”.
- Security: folder names are always output as text in dialogs and notices.
- Security: removed an upload hook that allowed folder changes without a permission check; debug views now require a nonce.
- All interface text is now translatable.
1.0.0
- Initial public release