This article provides a sample showing how to download files from a directory in MVC 4.

Create a new ASP.NET MVC 4 Application as in the following:

blank MVC application
Image 1

internet application
Image 2

Now, right-click on the Model Folder then select Add New Item -> Add a New Class.

class
Image 3

In DownLoadFileInformation use the following code:

  1. using System;
  2. using System.Collections.Generic;
  3. using System.Linq;
  4. using System.Web;
  6. namespace FileDownloadInMVC4.Models
  7. {
  8. public class DownLoadFileInformation
  9. {
  10. public int FileId { get; set; }
  11. public string FileName { get; set; }
  12. public string FilePath { get; set; }
  13. }
  14. }
Now, again right-click on Mode then select Add New Item -> Add New Class.

blank class
Image 4

In DownloadFiles.cs use the following code:
  1. using System;
  2. using System.Collections.Generic;
  3. using System.IO;
  4. using System.Linq;
  5. using System.Web;
  6. using System.Web.Hosting;
  8. namespace FileDownloadInMVC4.Models
  9. {
  10. public class DownloadFiles
  11. {
  12. public List<DownLoadFileInformation> GetFiles()
  13. {
  14. List<DownLoadFileInformation> lstFiles = new List<DownLoadFileInformation>();
  15. DirectoryInfo dirInfo = new DirectoryInfo(HostingEnvironment.MapPath("~/MyFiles"));
  17. int i = 0;
  18. foreach (var item in dirInfo.GetFiles())
  19. {
  20. lstFiles.Add(new DownLoadFileInformation()
  21. {
  23. FileId = i + 1,
  24. FileName = item.Name,
  25. FilePath = dirInfo.FullName + @"\" + item.Name
  26. });
  27. i = i + 1;
  28. }
  29. return lstFiles;
  30. }
  31. }
  32. }
Now open FileProcessController and do the following code:
  1. using System;
  2. using System.Collections.Generic;
  3. using System.Linq;
  4. using System.Web;
  5. using System.Web.Mvc;
  6. using FileDownloadInMVC4.Models;
  8. namespace FileDownloadInMVC4.Controllers
  9. {
  10. public class FileProcessController : Controller
  11. {
  12. //
  13. // GET: /FileProcess/
  15. DownloadFiles obj;
  16. public FileProcessController()
  17. {
  18. obj = new DownloadFiles();
  19. }
  21. public ActionResult Index()
  22. {
  23. var filesCollection = obj.GetFiles();
  24. return View(filesCollection);
  25. }
  27. public FileResult Download(string FileID)
  28. {
  29. int CurrentFileID = Convert.ToInt32(FileID);
  30. var filesCol = obj.GetFiles();
  31. string CurrentFileName = (from fls in filesCol
  32. where fls.FileId == CurrentFileID
  33. select fls.FilePath).First();
  35. string contentType = string.Empty;
  37. if (CurrentFileName.Contains(".pdf"))
  38. {
  39. contentType = "application/pdf";
  40. }
  42. else if (CurrentFileName.Contains(".docx"))
  43. {
  44. contentType = "application/docx";
  45. }
  46. return File(CurrentFileName, contentType, CurrentFileName);
  47. }
  48. }
  49. }
Now right-click on the Index Action then select Add A View.

model class
Image 6

Now run the application:

file download in MVC4
Image 7

Now click on any Download link.

upload new file
Image 8