Since the version 1.3 you can use the component & plugin JEmbedAll to download individual files and / or packaged of files into your Joomla site. The configuration section of the component give you the option to configure this, and there are 2 steps for that (it's something very similar with the configuration of payable downloads):
- There are by default 4 categories (4 different folders: audio, books, software, video) where you can upload your files in. You may need to rename them or create new ones to match the file categories you decide to make available for the public. Go to Configure File downloads.
- Files list contains the list of the uploaded files. Use Add file / edit file to upload and later edit the name and path of the files. If there are more files in one package, by editing one file you can set some details to all the files in the package.
Considering that these are free downloads, you don't have to go to Paypal to set the payment system. Just pick up the ID of the package and embed into your Joomla website (inside the text of an article, inside a module, etc) the code [ download = 123] (without spaces) where the "123" is the ID. The JEmbedAll plugin will do the rest and it will embed the necessary data into the public space (the frontend).
You can not download for free file packages you have set a price for. For example, if you want to sell licences for a Joomla component and you set a price of it, you can not pick up that package ID and try to make it available for the public free using this feature. You will get an error message telling you can't download that. You should use the payment feature for the package.
