I’ve never tried using remote files (external files via url). I do recall seeing something about making sure Masked is off. I don’t know if that still applies or not, but i think it does … I want to say that it just does a Location: to the URL, unless it’s masked in which case it tries to read the file off the filesystem. Though, I could be wrong. I remember something about curl enabled also, though I don’t know if that’s really needed.
I’d try it with Masked off (and expiration off). You might want to add info like the version of the various plugins (EBD can run with the latest Download Monitor or some people use the older version mentioned on the EBD wordpress page).
You can also pay $10 to the M&S Consulting folks (the plugin authors). They know more about using external links I’m sure.
If you think expiration has to be disabled then that won’t work for me – I need to track as many downloads as I can so allowing users to forward the link and allow others to use the same link won’t work.
However, here are my versions
WordPress – 4.3
Download Monitor – Version 1.8.1
Email Before Download – Version 3.4
Contact Form 7 – Version 4.2.2
expiration was just a guess. i really don’t know. i do remember that masking must be off though.
how are you specifying them as external? Are you putting a “file=” in your shortcode or are you doing it in the file management interface (in download monitor)?
do you have a public url where we can try it & see what happens?
considering i’ve never tried external urls, you’re best bet is probably to pay $10 and engage the M&S Consulting folks ($10 is pretty cheap for support). however, if you have a public url I’ll at least take a look and see what it does
