Comprehensive Guide to Using elFinder PHP File Manager

gitbox 2025-07-20

Introduction

In the digital era, file management tools are essential for developers and website administrators. elFinder is a powerful open-source PHP file manager with an intuitive interface and rich features that help users easily manage files and directories. This article provides a detailed guide on how to use elFinder, enabling you to quickly master this practical tool.

Main Features of elFinder

As an open-source file manager, elFinder offers several advantages:

Compatibility with major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari; multilingual interface support to meet diverse user needs; plugin and extension support for custom functionality and scalability.

Installing elFinder

The installation process is straightforward and can be completed by following these steps:

Download elFinder

First, download the latest version of elFinder from https://github.com/Studio-42/elFinder.

Extract Files

After downloading, extract the files to the target directory on your server or local development environment.

Configure elFinder

Locate the connector.php file in the extracted directory and modify its configuration as needed, for example:

// Configuration example
$root = array(
    'driver' => 'LocalFileSystem',
    'path'   => 'path/to/files/',
    'URL'    => 'path/to/files/',
    'alias'  => 'My Files',
    'mimeDetect' => 'internal',
);
?>

Using elFinder

Once installed, you can access the elFinder interface via a browser and perform the following basic operations:

Upload Files

Click the “Upload” button to select and upload multiple files. elFinder supports various file formats and offers a simple interface for selection.

Create New Folder

Right-click on an empty area, select “Create New Folder,” enter the folder name, and confirm to create it.

Delete Files or Folders

Select the files or folders you wish to delete, right-click, and choose “Delete.” This action is irreversible, so please proceed carefully.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you will have mastered the core functions of elFinder. The tool is user-friendly and powerful, making it suitable for web developers and administrators. It is recommended to explore its extensive plugins and customization options to build a file management solution tailored to your specific needs.

Whether you need a simple file management tool or want to integrate it into your applications, elFinder is an efficient and practical choice. We hope this guide helps you get started smoothly and fully leverage elFinder’s powerful features.