“Learn the Quick and Easy Way to Strip Off Your WordPress Theme in Seconds!”
What is WordPress?
WordPress is the reigning champion of content management systems (CMS) on the internet, powering over 40% of all websites! It’s highly customizable which makes it an attractive option to site owners. The themes available on WordPress make it easy to change the look and layout of your website.
The Dilemma: Removing a WordPress Theme
It’s possible to find yourself in a situation where you no longer need a WordPress theme or the one you’ve added isn’t performing the way you expected it to. In this case, what do you do? This guide will lead you through the steps of removing a WordPress theme, made simple.
Important Considerations Before Removing a WordPress Theme
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Back up Your Website
Always back up your website before making any changes. It will give you a safety net to fall back on if anything goes wrong.
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Consequences
If the theme you’re removing was customized before and you remove it, your site will lose all customizations. It’s best to use a child theme for customization.
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Determine if the Theme is in Use
A theme could appear active but might not be in use any longer. It’s important to know this before you remove it.
Step-by-Step Guide to Removing a WordPress Theme
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Access the WordPress Admin Dashboard
The first step is to access the WordPress admin dashboard. Simply log in with your credentials.
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Navigate to Appearance
Appearance is usually found on the left side of the admin dashboard. Once there, select “Themes” from the dropdown.
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Identify the Theme You Want to Remove
A list of installed WordPress themes will appear. Look for the screenshot of the theme you want to remove.
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Hover Over the Theme and Click on “Theme Details”
Hovering over the screenshot will prompt the “Theme Details” button to appear. Click on it.
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Click “Delete”
After the Theme Details screen appears, scroll to the bottom and click “Delete.” A prompt will appear to confirm the deletion.
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Confirm the Deletion
After clicking “Delete,” WordPress will prompt you again to ensure you want to delete the theme. Click “OK” to confirm.
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Deactivate the Theme
Upon confirmation, WordPress will deactivate the theme automatically. Congratulations! You’ve successfully removed a WordPress theme!
Additional Tips
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Keep a Clean Site
Backing up your site is a best practice whenever you’re going to undertake any changes. Also, if you regularly remove WordPress themes that are no longer in use, it will help tidy and streamline your website.
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Use a Child Theme
If you plan on making customizations to a WordPress theme without affecting the parent theme, use a child theme.
Conclusion
Access the WordPress Admin Dashboard
The first step is to access the WordPress admin dashboard. Simply log in with your credentials.
Navigate to Appearance
Appearance is usually found on the left side of the admin dashboard. Once there, select “Themes” from the dropdown.
Identify the Theme You Want to Remove
A list of installed WordPress themes will appear. Look for the screenshot of the theme you want to remove.
Hover Over the Theme and Click on “Theme Details”
Hovering over the screenshot will prompt the “Theme Details” button to appear. Click on it.
Click “Delete”
After the Theme Details screen appears, scroll to the bottom and click “Delete.” A prompt will appear to confirm the deletion.
Confirm the Deletion
After clicking “Delete,” WordPress will prompt you again to ensure you want to delete the theme. Click “OK” to confirm.
Deactivate the Theme
Upon confirmation, WordPress will deactivate the theme automatically. Congratulations! You’ve successfully removed a WordPress theme!
Keep a Clean Site
Backing up your site is a best practice whenever you’re going to undertake any changes. Also, if you regularly remove WordPress themes that are no longer in use, it will help tidy and streamline your website.
Use a Child Theme
If you plan on making customizations to a WordPress theme without affecting the parent theme, use a child theme.
Removing a WordPress theme is a simple process, but keeping the above-mentioned considerations and tips in mind will make the process even smoother. Removing the theme you no longer use or the one that isn’t performing as expected is important to maintain the effectiveness of your site. You can use this guide anytime to remove WordPress themes with ease!
