How to Uninstall WordPress?
WordPress is a prominent content management system (CMS). Millions of websites use it. However, there are times when you require to uninstall it; you might be moving to a new platform or simply starting over.
Steps to Uninstall WordPress
Read on to discover steps to uninstall WordPress:
Step 1: Backup your WordPress Website
Before uninstalling WordPress, backing up your website is crucial. This step ensures that no vital information, files, or data are lost during uninstallation. To back up your data, you may utilize a variety of plugins such as UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, and Duplicator.
Once you have installed and activated a backup plugin, you must configure it. It involves choosing which data to back up, where to store the backup, and how often to back up your website.
Step 2: Deactivate All Plugins and Themes
The next step is to deactivate all themes and plugins. It is a crucial step because plugins and themes can leave data and files behind that can interfere with the uninstallation process.
To deactivate plugins:
- Go to the “Plugins” page
- For each plugin, select “Deactivate.”
- If there are too many plugins, you can use a bulk deactivation plugin
To deactivate themes:
Step 3: Delete your WordPress Files
After backing up your website and deactivating your plugins and theme, you can delete the WordPress files. It will remove all files related to your WordPress installation, including
Core WordPress files
- Themes
- Plugins
- Any other directories or files that you’ve added
To delete the WordPress file,
- Connect to your website via an FTP client.
- Navigate to your website’s root directory (usually public_html or www)
- Delete all the files and directories related to WordPress
Step 4: Remove the WordPress Database
Now, remove the WordPress database. It is where all your website data, including posts, pages, comments, and settings, are stored. It is a crucial step; otherwise, the database will continue to take up your server’s space.
To remove the database, you may be required to use a database management tool such as phpMyAdmin and follow the instruction shared below:
- Log in to phpMyAdmin
- Choose the database associated with your WordPress installation
- Click on the “Drop” button
The database and its tables will be deleted.
Step 5: Verify that WordPress Has Been Uninstalled
Once you have taken all the steps mentioned above, verifying that WordPress has been uninstalled is crucial. Try accessing your website. If you notice a blank page or error message, it indicates that WordPress has been uninstalled.
Check your website’s files and directories to ensure that all the WordPress-related files have been deleted.
Step 6: Clean Up Your Server
After you uninstall WordPress, cleaning up your server is important. It entails removing no longer required files, folders, or databases. It will clear up space on your server and guarantee its seamless operation.
Use an FTP client to delete any residual files or folders related to your WordPress installation. In addition, it is important to check the management panel on your server to determine if there are any databases that may need to be deleted before uninstalling WordPress.
Bottom Line
Uninstalling WordPress can be daunting. Moreover, it is essential to back up your website before beginning the uninstallation process and deactivating all plugins and themes. These steps can help you uninstall WordPress safely and efficiently.
