How to Download All Files from a Salesforce Org (Attachments, Salesforce Files & Documents)

Downloading all files from a Salesforce org is a common requirement for Salesforce admins during data migration, compliance audits, backups, and org cleanups. However, Salesforce does not provide a native way to bulk download Salesforce Files, attachments, Chatter files, and documents in one place.

If you’re looking to download all files from a Salesforce org, the most efficient and reliable solution is Files Downloader by Sastorm Software. 

This guide explains all practical methods to download files from Salesforce, starting with the most efficient and scalable approach, followed by native and manual alternatives.

Method 1: Download All Files from Salesforce Using Files Downloader (Recommended)

Files Downloader is the fastest way to bulk download Salesforce files and attachments without scripts, APIs, or external storage. It works entirely inside Salesforce and supports both standard and custom objects.

What Files Downloader can export

• Salesforce Files (ContentDocument & ContentVersion)
  
  
• Classic Attachments
  
  
• Chatter files
  
  
• Email attachments
  
  
• Notes & Files
  
  
• Files from standard objects (Accounts, Cases, Opportunities, Leads)
  
  
• Bulk Files from custom Salesforce objects
  
  
• Export Mass Files directly from Salesforce list views
  
  

Why Salesforce admins choose Files Downloader?

• Bulk download all Salesforce files in one click
  
  
• Export files directly from list views
  
  
• Preserve original file names and folder structure
  
  
• CSV mapping between files and parent records
  
  
• Handles millions of files efficiently
  
  
• 100% Salesforce-native, secure, and compliant

How to download all files from a Salesforce org using Files Downloader?

1. Install Files Downloader from Salesforce AppExchange
   
   
2. Select the Salesforce object (standard or custom)
   
   
3. Apply filters or choose an existing list view
   
   
4. Select file types (Salesforce Files, Attachments, Notes)
   
   
5. Download files in bulk as a ZIP file
   
   

This method is ideal if you need a Salesforce file export tool that works at scale and avoids the limitations of native Salesforce utilities.

Method 2: Salesforce Data Export 

Salesforce’s Data Export feature allows exporting:

• Attachments
  
  
• Documents (Classic)
  
  

Limitations

• Does not export Salesforce Files
  
  
• No list view filtering
  
  
• No folder structure
  
  
• Scheduled exports only
  
  

This approach is suitable only for basic backups, not full Salesforce file exports.

Method 3: Data Loader + ContentVersion

Salesforce Files are stored in the ContentVersion object, which can be queried using Data Loader.

Challenges

• Requires exporting multiple objects
  
  
• No true bulk file download
  
  
• Manual mapping using IDs
  
  
• File names and structure not preserved
  
  

This method is time-consuming and unsuitable for large Salesforce orgs.

Method 4: Salesforce API or Workbench (Developer-Focused)

Using REST API, Bulk API, or Workbench allows file access but introduces complexity.

Drawbacks

• Requires coding knowledge
  
  
• API limits
  
  
• Files downloaded individually
  
  
• No admin-friendly workflow

Limitations of Salesforce’s Built‑in File Export Options

Salesforce lacks direct bulk file downloads because Files rely on ContentVersion and ContentDocumentLink objects, not simple record exports like opportunities or accounts. Weekly Data Export creates massive ZIPs (up to 320MB) with no filters, expiring in 48 hours, while Data Loader handles Attachments via Body fields but skips modern Files entirely. API/SOQL queries work for devs but overwhelm admins without list view simplicity or million-file performance guarantees.

Final Recommendation

If your goal is to download all files from a Salesforce org including Salesforce Files, attachments, and Chatter files Files Downloader by Sastorm Software is the most complete and admin-friendly solution available.

It eliminates manual work, supports large data volumes, and provides a secure, Salesforce-native way to export files efficiently.