Standard shares with full viewing and downloading capabilities for shared files and directories.

What Normal Shares Include

Normal shares provide:

  • File and directory browsing - Navigate through folders
  • File viewing in browser - Preview files without downloading
  • File downloading - Download individual files or entire folders
  • Thumbnail previews - Image thumbnails for quick identification
  • Quick download buttons - One-click download actions (optional)
  • OnlyOffice integration - View and edit office documents (optional)

How to Create a Normal Share

  1. Navigate to the file or directory you want to share
  2. Click the Share button in the actions menu
  3. Ensure Share Type is set to Normal (default)
  4. Configure your desired options
  5. Click Share to generate the link
  6. Copy and share the generated URL

Normal Share-Specific Options

These options only apply to normal shares and appear in the share creation dialog:

File Viewer Control

Prevent viewing files in the browser - users can only download files.

Use case: Force downloads for security or when you don’t want files viewed in-browser.

Quick Download

Display quick download buttons for files in the share.

Use case: Make it easier for users to download files with a prominent button.

Download Limits

The maximum number of times any file/folder from the share can be downloaded. Leave empty for unlimited.

When enabled, the downloads limit will be applied to each user. Anonymous users will not be able to download any files from this share.

Global limit: All users share the same download counter.
Per-user limit: Each authenticated user gets their own counter. Anonymous users are blocked.

Bandwidth Control

The maximum download bandwidth in kbps. Leave empty for unlimited.

Example: Enter 1024 for 1 MB/s (1024 kbps) bandwidth limit.

View Mode

Set the default view mode for anonymous users viewing this share. Logged-in users can still change their view preference.

View modes:

  • Normal - Standard grid with icons and names
  • List - Detailed list with file information
  • Compact - Dense grid for many files
  • Gallery - Large thumbnails, perfect for images

Interface Customization

Preview thumbnails will not be shown in the share.

Disable the sidebar on the shared page.

Use case: Create a cleaner, more focused interface for file access.

Media Features

Extract embedded subtitles from media files on load -- this can be slow for large files.

OnlyOffice Integration

If OnlyOffice is configured on your FileBrowser instance:

Allow viewing office files using OnlyOffice in this share.

Allow editing of office files using OnlyOffice in this share.

Supported formats: DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, and more office document types.

Configuration Examples

Download-Only Share

Force users to download files instead of viewing them in the browser:

Download-only configuration

Share Type: Normal
Options:
  • ☑ Disable File Viewer
  • ☑ Show Quick Download
Use case: Security-sensitive files where you don't want browser caching

Limited Downloads (Global Counter)

Limit total downloads across all users:

Global download limit

Downloads Limit: 100
Per User Limit: ☐ Disabled
Behavior: Once 100 downloads occur (from any combination of users), the share stops allowing downloads

Limited Downloads (Per User)

Each authenticated user gets their own download counter:

Per-user download limit

Downloads Limit: 5
Per User Limit: ☑ Enabled
Behavior: Each authenticated user can download up to 5 times. Anonymous users cannot download.

Bandwidth Limited Share

Limit download bandwidth to prevent server overload:

Bandwidth control

Max Bandwidth: 1024 kbps (1 MB/s)
Use case: Prevent a single download from consuming all server bandwidth

OnlyOffice Enabled Share

Allow viewing and editing of office documents:

Office document collaboration

Options:
  • ☑ Enable OnlyOffice viewer
  • ☑ Enable OnlyOffice editing
Use case: Share documents that recipients need to review or edit

Perfect for sharing photo collections:

Image gallery configuration

View Mode: Gallery View
Options:
  • ☐ Disable Thumbnails (keep enabled)
Result: Large, beautiful thumbnail grid perfect for browsing images

Secure Client Delivery

Password-protected with per-user download tracking:

Secure client file delivery

Password: client2025
Options:
  • ☑ Disable File Viewer
  • ☑ Show Quick Download
Downloads Limit: 1 per user
Allowed Users: client-user
Security features: Password + user restriction + single download

Public Access URLs

Shared links are accessible via:

https://your-domain.com/public/share/{hash}

Where {hash} is the unique identifier generated for the share.

Download specific files using the /public/dl endpoint:

Single file:

/public/dl/{hash}?files=document.pdf

Multiple files (use || separator):

/public/dl/{hash}?files=file1.txt||folder/file2.pdf||images/photo.jpg

Password-Protected Downloads

For password-protected shares, include the token parameter:

/public/dl/{hash}?token={authentication-token}&files=file.pdf

The token is obtained after entering the correct password on the share page.

Common Use Cases

Standard File Sharing

Scenario: Share documents, images, or folders with colleagues or clients
Configuration: Default settings with optional password protection
Best for: General purpose file sharing

Client Deliverables

Scenario: Deliver files to clients with tracking
Configuration: Password protection + download limits + expiration
Best for: Professional client file delivery with accountability

Public Resources

Scenario: Share company resources, documentation, or media files
Configuration: No password, permanent share, gallery/list view
Best for: Public-facing file repositories

Time-Limited Access

Scenario: Share files that expire after a set period
Configuration: Set expiration time (hours/days/weeks)
Best for: Temporary file access, event materials

Branded Corporate Shares

Scenario: Professional file sharing with company branding
Configuration: Custom theme color, logo banner, favicon
Best for: Client-facing shares requiring brand consistency

Next Steps