Description

MedienUpload Lite extends the WordPress Media Library with practical folder management:

Real server folders – Each folder is created under wp-content/uploads/medienupload-lite/
Custom names – Folders can be named freely and nested
Automatic date structure – Uploads are stored in Year/Month subfolders (e.g. 2026/07/)
Media Library integration – Folder sidebar in the media picker and on the upload page
Active upload folder – Choose where new uploads are saved
Fully usable free – No quotas, no locked features, no license key required
Translations – Contribute via translate.wordpress.org

Looking for Pro features?

Need drag & drop moves between folders, physical file relocation, and flexible date folder options? MedienUpload Pro is available separately at plugins.froendhoff.com.

Lite works completely on its own. Pro is an optional add-on and is not required.

License

This plugin is licensed under the GNU General Public License v2 or later (GPLv2+).

Installation

Upload the plugin folder to /wp-content/plugins/ or install via Plugins Add New
Activate MedienUpload Lite
Open Media – the folder sidebar appears on the left
Optional status tools: Settings MedienUpload Lite

FAQ

Where are files physically stored?: Under wp-content/uploads/medienupload-lite/{folder-name}/{Year}/{Month}/filename.jpg
Do I need a license key?: No. Lite is fully functional without any license or purchase.
Can I move existing media into folders?: New uploads are assigned to the active folder automatically. Moving existing files with drag & drop and physical relocation is available in MedienUpload Pro.
What happens when a folder is renamed?: The physical directory is renamed and stored file paths of affected media are updated.
What permissions are required?: Users need the WordPress upload_files capability.
How can I support development?: On the settings page you will find a PayPal donate button. You can also upgrade to MedienUpload Pro.

Reviews

There are no reviews for this plugin.

Contributors & Developers

“MedienUpload Lite” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.

Markus Fröndhoff

Translate “MedienUpload Lite” into your language.

Interested in development?

Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.

Changelog

1.2.5

Fix: Media folders UI no longer appears on unrelated admin screens (e.g. Yoast) that only load the media picker.

1.2.4

Plugin Check: use WP_Filesystem for directory migration; silence one-time meta_key migration notices

1.2.3

Review: rename short mu_ option/meta/request keys to medienupload_
Review: REST permission checks for folder modify/assign; namespace medienupload-lite/v1
Review: safer upload base path (no WP_CONTENT_DIR fallback); admin page slug medienupload-lite
Review: remove bundled language files (translations via translate.wordpress.org)
Migration: options, taxonomy, meta keys, and uploads/medienupload medienupload-lite

1.2.2

Plugin Check: translators comment, WP_Filesystem usage, textdomain loading for wordpress.org

1.2.1

Compatibility: Tested up to WordPress 7.0
Fix: Text domain matches plugin slug (medienupload-lite)

1.2.0

Rebranded as MedienUpload Lite for wordpress.org
Removed custom update feed and remote license/support nag (updates via wordpress.org)
Added extension hooks for MedienUpload Pro
English UI with German translation

1.1.4

Maintenance release before Lite split

1.0.9

Improved media library UI: clear upload guidance, upload target display, two-column layout

1.0.8

Fix: Upload to selected folder works again (Plupload parameter + folder assignment)

1.0.7

Fix: Critical error after activation resolved (infinite loop in wp_upload_dir with saved folder)

1.0.6

Fix: Critical error right after activation resolved (safe activation, stable bootstrap)

1.0.5

Fix: Critical error when uploading images to folders (infinite loop in wp_upload_dir resolved)

1.0.4

Fix: Base folder uploads/medienupload/ is created automatically
New: “Repair folders” button in settings

1.0.3

Fix: No more mu_folder_id in the browser address bar

1.0.2

Fix: Critical error when creating folders resolved

1.0.1

Fix: REST API paths in the Media Library – folder sidebar works again

1.0.0

Initial release
Custom media folders with physical directory structure
Automatic year/month subfolders on upload
REST API for folder management
Media Library sidebar