# How to Limit How Many Times a File Can Be Downloaded

A link shared once tends to travel. Download limits cap how often files can be taken, in total and per person, and decide what happens when the cap is reached.

_Source: https://sharelargefilesfree.com/limit-downloads · Updated 2026-09-30_

**Quick answer:** To limit downloads: upload your files, open More options and enter a Total limit (all downloads of the link) and/or a Per person limit. Choose what happens when the total is reached: lock the link and keep your files (you can unlock it later) or delete the files. For a single recipient, "Delete after first download" is the quickest option. Add "Devices per person" to stop one person using many phones. Free, up to 20 GB per transfer.

## The limits you can set

| Limit | Counts | Example |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total | All downloads of the link | First 100 people get the free sample pack |
| Per person | Downloads per verified email, recipient, or browser on open links | Each student downloads the paper once |
| Devices per person | Different devices one person uses | A course video on at most 2 devices |
| Delete after first download | The first complete download | A one-off file for one person |
| Close the link at | Time rather than count | Closes when the exam ends |

## Set a limit step by step

1. [Upload your files](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/).
2. Open **More options**. Under the download limits, enter a **Total**, a **Per person** number, or both.
3. Under **When the total is reached**, pick _Lock the link, keep my files_ or _Delete the files_.
4. For per-person limits that really mean per person, set **Who can open the link** to _Anyone who confirms their email_; on open links a person is counted per browser.
5. Share the link and watch the count on your [Transfers page](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/history).

## When the limit is reached

Visitors see that the download limit has been reached; nothing else is shown. If you chose to lock the link, you can unlock it, raise the limit or reset a person's devices from the Transfers page. You also get a note in your update email when a limit is hit.

## Tip: leave room for a retry

Each download that starts counts toward the limit, including a second try after a dropped mobile connection. For large files on patchy networks, a per-person limit of 2 is kinder than 1. Previews in the browser do not count as downloads.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I allow only one download?

Yes. Set Total to 1, or choose "Delete after first download" to remove the files once they are taken.

### How is a "person" counted on an open link?

By browser. For a real per-person limit, require a confirmed email, list the allowed emails, or send by email.

### What happens when the limit is reached?

The link is locked, keeping your files, or the files are deleted, whichever you chose. You can unlock a locked link from your Transfers page.

### Do previews count as downloads?

No. Only downloads count toward the limit.

### Can I change the limit after sending?

You can unlock a locked link and reset devices on the Transfers page. To change the rules entirely, send a new link.