The Joomla community is eagerly anticipating the release of Joomla 5.3, which includes a host of new features designed to enhance usability and streamline site management. Among these improvements is a long-awaited addition: the ability to upload files to a dedicated /files folder, separate from the /images folder.
Why This Change is Exciting
Until now, Joomla only supported the /images folder as the default location for all uploads. This meant that site administrators and content managers often ended up placing documents, such as PDFs or other non-image files, in a folder intended for images (e.g., /images/files). While creating subfolders was an option, it didn’t fully solve the issue of maintaining logical site structure, as the file paths always included /images.
For non-technical users, creating an entirely new folder outside the /images directory was challenging. Most administrators settled for using subfolders within the /images folder, even if it didn’t feel right.
Joomla 5.3 addresses this with the introduction of a /files folder, making it easier to organize and upload non-image content.
What to Expect in Joomla 5.3
With Joomla 5.3, new installations will have the /files folder configured by default. The updated Media Manager will display both the /images and /files folders, allowing administrators to choose the appropriate location for their uploads. This functionality is powered by an updated “FileSystem - Local” plugin, which includes both folders as default directories.
Preparing for the Update on Existing Sites
For those upgrading to Joomla 5.3, enabling the new /files folder is straightforward:
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Configure the Path to Files Folder: Access the Media Manager settings and set the "Path to Files Folder" option to files.
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Update the FileSystem - Local Plugin: Navigate to System → Plugins, locate the FileSystem - Local plugin, and add files to the list of directories.
After these steps, your site will be ready to use the dedicated /files folder for non-image uploads.
A Step Towards Better Organization
This update represents a significant step forward for Joomla users. By providing a clear separation between image and file uploads, Joomla 5.3 makes site management more intuitive and organized. This improvement is especially beneficial for administrators looking to maintain a logical structure for their site’s content.
Stay Tuned for Joomla 5.3
Joomla 5.3 is just around the corner, bringing this and many other exciting features to the platform. Make sure to stay updated with the latest news and prepare your site for the upgrade. For more insights and updates about Joomla, keep an eye on the Joomlksa.org blog!
