Perplexing Guide on How to Reset Your WordPress Website Without a Plugin

WordPress is a widely used content management system that powers millions of websites. From individuals to small and large businesses, WordPress is a go-to tool because of its customizability and ease of use. However, there are times when resetting a WordPress website is necessary to address various problems, like fixing errors or starting fresh. This article will guide you through resetting your WordPress website without the help of a plugin.

Understanding Website Reset

Before proceeding with the steps, it is crucial to understand what resetting a website means. Resetting a WordPress website refers to deleting all content, customizations, themes, and plugins and reverting the website back to its default settings. It is like starting from scratch, but it preserves the WordPress installation.

Steps to Reset a WordPress Website Without a Plugin

Step 1: Backup Your Website

Before resetting your WordPress website, ensure that you have a backup. A backup is essential as it can safeguard your website in case anything goes wrong during the reset process. You can use a backup plugin or backup manually through a file transfer protocol (FTP) client to download all files in the website’s directory. Export the website’s database using phpMyAdmin or any other tools available.

Step 2: Delete All Content

To delete all website content, go to the WordPress dashboard and click on “Posts” from the left-hand management menu. Select all website posts, click on the “Bulk Actions” drop-down menu, and click “Move to Trash.” Repeat the same steps for removing pages and comments.

Step 3: Delete All Plugins and Themes

To delete plugins, go to the WordPress dashboard and click on “Plugins” and “Appearance.” You will see a list of installed plugins and themes; select and deactivate each plugin before clicking on the “Delete” button. To delete themes, hover over each theme’s name, and click on the “Delete” button.

Step 4: Reset Your Website Database

Reset your website’s database by accessing phpMyAdmin from your website’s cPanel or hosting account. Select your website’s database from the left panel menu, click on the “Check All” button to select all tables in the database, and click the “Drop” button to delete all tables from the database.

Step 5: Reinstall WordPress

Download the latest version of WordPress from their website and upload the unzipped files to your website’s directory using an FTP client. Once uploaded, visit your domain, and install WordPress by following the installation steps. You will have a fresh WordPress installation without content, plugins, or themes.

Conclusion

Resetting a WordPress website without a plugin can be challenging for beginners, but it is crucial to resolve website issues. This guide provides steps to reset your website without losing your WordPress installation. Always backup your website before resetting to prevent data loss.