However, WordPress stores them in such a way that they don’t activate and won’t slow down your website. Any files they’ve created remain on your website. While it doesn’t always work, WordPress tries to get rid of all the files and database entries the plugin created, then removes it from your plugin list.ĭeactivated plugins are a little different. Uninstalling a plugin at least aims to fully delete it and make it as if it was never present on your site. Which is better, and what exactly is the difference? When you want to turn off a plugin, you have two options: deactivating them, or outright uninstalling them. When it’s time for a spring cleaning, you have to get in there and get rid of all those leftover files. They’re also very unlikely to cause any conflict or damage.īut when you’ve uninstalled dozens of plugins over several years, you can end up with a concerning amount of useless data left behind on your site. They’re usually so tiny that deleting them frees up little to no space. In most cases, a few files left behind on your website isn’t a huge cause for alarm. Getting rid of such malware will not be a simple task of deleting a few database entries, so make sure to use a malware removal tool. Of course, if you never plan on reinstalling this plugin, it’s only taking up dead space on your site.Ī malicious plugin may intentionally hide files in places where they won’t be removed, or even add lines of code to existing core files to make sure your site stays infected. The reason is usually to preserve your user settings if you ever choose to install the plugin again, similar to a browser cookie. As a consequence, they aren’t properly removed when uninstalled. For example, they add files in the wrong locations or mark them incorrectly. It may also be an accident on the part of the developers. The blame may lie on WordPress itself its uninstaller doesn’t always remove all the files it’s supposed to. There are quite a few reasons your WordPress plugins may not fully uninstall. Why do developers do this? Is it intentional? If you download even just a handful of WordPress plugins, you’re likely to find a few that leave behind files. Unless you know what you’re doing, it might be time to call in the pros.) (On that note, if you’re sure your site is infected, even manual removal isn’t likely to get rid of it. When this happens, simply clicking Uninstall is not likely to do the trick. Nulled plugins in particular run a higher risk of malware infection.
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