Disable access to downloads for any order
The automatic rules cover refunds and fraud. This is the manual override for everything else: a shared link, a disputed payment, a customer who asked you to revoke it, or an order you no longer want served.
Set it up
To disable the whole order:
- Click Filemonk in the left menu of your Shopify admin.
- Click Orders in the app's menu and open the order.
- Turn off access for the order.
To disable one product instead, use that product's access toggle within the order. This suits a partial refund you processed yourself, or one item in dispute.
The order then shows Access disabled, or Partial access when only some products are off. Turning access back on works the same way and takes effect immediately.
What customers will see
Their download stops working. Files they already downloaded stay on their device, so this prevents future downloads rather than recovering anything.
When to use it
| Situation | Why by hand |
|---|---|
| A link is clearly being shared | Nothing automatic detects this. The download count and the PDF watermark tell you which order |
| A refund handled outside Shopify | The automatic rule never fires |
| A payment dispute in progress | You may want to stop access before the outcome |
| A medium risk order you distrust | Automatic fraud protection acts on high risk only |
| A customer asked you to revoke access | Their request, your action |
Check your setup
Open the order's download page with Visit Download page and confirm the download is refused. That is exactly what the customer will see.
Troubleshooting
The customer can still download
Two possibilities: only one product was disabled while they are downloading another, or they are using a direct file link that bypasses the order. See Get a downloadable link for a file.
I disabled the wrong order
Turn it back on. Nothing is lost, and the customer's links start working again straight away.
The order shows Partial access and I meant all of it
Only some products were disabled, often by an automatic partial refund. Disable the remaining ones too.
I want to stop a customer across all their orders
Access is per order, so disable each one. If they are a repeat problem, tightening store-wide download limits or requiring login addresses the pattern rather than the person.
FAQ
Is the customer notified?
No. They discover it when the download fails, so tell them yourself if the situation warrants it.
Does it delete their files?
No. It blocks future downloads. Anything already on their computer stays there.
Can I re-enable later?
Yes, at any time, with no new email needed.
Does disabling free up plan usage?
No. The order still counted when it was processed.
Related guides
- Disable access for refunded or cancelled orders, to automate the refund case.
- Disable access for high risk orders, to automate the fraud case.
- See download history for an order, to check before you act.
