Downloads which are not products

You may wish to simply provide files (such as PDFs or zips) on your site without requiring the registration and purchase steps associated with paid downloads.

For example, you may wish to provide:

https://MYSTORE.com/pdfs/acme_anvil_user_manual.pdf

or perhaps

https://MYSTORE.com/zips/acme_manuals.zip

The recommended method of doing this is as follows:

• Create a new folder at the top level of your cart. Remember that Zen Cart already comes with /docs and /download folders, so choose another name. Common choices are /pdfs and /manuals, but use whatever makes sense for the content you are providing.
• Prior to populating the folder, create an index.html and .htaccess file that limits access in the folder. You can copy these files from the /images folder. Customize the .htaccess as needed to add the filetypes you are serving (e.g. pdf). Note: If you are using Ngnix or another webserver other than Apache, you will have to make the appropriate security changes for that system.

You may also wish to extend your store sitemap to reference either all your PDFs or the most important ones.

If what you want to do is associate PDFs with specific products, look at the PDF Attachment in Product Description plugin.