ownloads Documentation Centre!Introduction
This article describes how to uninstall the jDownloads component from Joomla 4 and 5. This will also uninstall all the standard jDownloads modules and plugins. The Component uninstallation includes optionally deleting the database tables, the images and the downloadable files.
The jDownloads Component consists of five major parts:
- The Software which is the component, modules and plugins;
- the Downloads which are the files that are downloaded together with the folders that form the Categories;
- the Audio and Video preview files associated with the Downloads;
- the Images associated with Downloads;
- and the Database tables that hold the information about configuration, user groups, download descriptions and so on.
When uninstalling all of jDownloads, it is only necessary to uninstall the compoment as the uninstall code will also automatically uninstall the modules and plugins.
It is of course possible to uninstall the plugins and modules individually.
At the start of the actual uninstalling of the jDownloads component a special 'Uninstallation Control Panel' is shown. This allows retaining the Data, Images and the Database items.
Retention is to facilitate the possible re-loading of the software.
Should you wish to save various parts of jDownloads yourself, details of their locations and available tools are given in the Appendix at the end of this document. These include the Images, Categories and Files, the jDownloads specific Database tables, the jDownloads CSS files, and the current settings of the Options.
It is of course possible to uninstall the plugins and modules individually.
At the start of the actual uninstalling of the jDownloads component a special 'Uninstallation Control Panel' is shown. This allows retaining the Data, Images and the Database items.
Retention is to facilitate the possible re-loading of the software.
Should you wish to save various parts of jDownloads yourself, details of their locations and available tools are given in the Appendix at the end of this document. These include the Images, Categories and Files, the jDownloads specific Database tables, the jDownloads CSS files, and the current settings of the Options.
General
In Joomla! Admin click on the 
button in the left hand panel as shown on the first image on the left.
Next in the the
section, as shown on the image at the far right opposite, click on
as indicated opposite.
button in the left hand panel as shown on the first image on the left.Next in the the
section, as shown on the image at the far right opposite, click on as indicated opposite.Uninstall jDownloads completely
Type jDownloads in the search field.
and thenclick on
.This shows a view similar to the one opposite which lists all the jDownloads extensions. Scroll down to find the jDownloads component and click on the 'tickbox' next to the jDownloads Component to select it.
Now click on the
button at the top left. Then click on 
in the list of actions. In the drop down click on Uninstall.
An 'are you sure' message will be shown.
Click on the Yes button to continue with the uninstall.
After clicking 'Yes' in the 'Are You Sure' message, jDownloads brings up a special Uninstall Control Panel as shown opposite.
This allows you to choose which other parts of jDownloads you wish to delete. The default setting is 'No' for all three option.
To completely Uninstall the Images, Files and Data Base tables pulldowns and select Yes in each item. To Retain some items select No as required.
If re-installing jDownloads on an existing site then select No for each item, which is the default.
If you click on the Abort button then nothing is uninstalled.
To continue the uninstalling then click on the red
button.
As shown opposite a report on the uninstall is given.
If you carry out another search for jDownloads it will show there are no matching results.
Special Plugins
Note that the jDownloads special 'integration' plugins for:
1. Community Builder Plugin for jDownloads,
2. JComments Plugin for jDownloads,
3. Komento Plugin for jDownloads
are not 'uninstalled' as they are located within the special plugin areas of those components. See the relevant instructions in the documentation for uninstalling these special plugins.
1. Community Builder Plugin for jDownloads,
2. JComments Plugin for jDownloads,
3. Komento Plugin for jDownloads
are not 'uninstalled' as they are located within the special plugin areas of those components. See the relevant instructions in the documentation for uninstalling these special plugins.
Appendix Location of jDownloads Items
Images: these are stored in <your-site>/images/jdownloads/screenshots The thumbnails are stored in a subdirectory of screenshots. You will need to use an ftp program such as FileZila to copy these to your own device, or to use your site's Control Panel facilities.
Files and Categories: These are stored in the location identified by Options - 'Path Settings' tab - field 'Upload directory path'.
This is usually <your-site>/jdownloads. Again you will need to use an ftp program such as FileZila to copy these to your own device, or to use your site's Control Panel facilities.
This is usually <your-site>/jdownloads. Again you will need to use an ftp program such as FileZila to copy these to your own device, or to use your site's Control Panel facilities.
Database: You can export a copy of the jDownloads database tables by using Tools - Backup
Options Settings: You can export a copy of your Options settings by using Tools- Options Export
ColinM July 2022 modfied May 2023, January 2024,January 2025,March 2025