Getting rid of excess weight can make a substantial difference. This is equally true for websites, especially when removing WordPress themes no longer in use. This practice can dramatically improve the performance and security of your site.
The current article is "6.3. Removing WP Themes" of our Complete SEO Guide Box.
Previous Article: 6.2. Installing WP Themes. Next Article: 6.4. Customizing Astra Theme
Contents
Understanding the Need for Removing WordPress Themes
Security Considerations
Foremost, a pressing reason for removing WordPress themes you no longer use is their increased security risks. These dormant themes can become breeding grounds for vulnerabilities if they do not receive regular updates. These vulnerabilities, in turn, may be exploited by hackers constantly seeking unauthorized access to websites.
Performance Optimization
Unused themes aren’t merely a dormant part of your WordPress site but also resource hogs. Each of these themes occupies valuable storage space. Removing WordPress themes you no longer need could enhance your site’s performance by freeing up space.
Maintenance Simplification
Maintaining a smooth-running website involves updating your themes regularly. Multiple unused themes mean more updates and increased chances of potential issues. Removing WordPress themes not in use reduces maintenance hassles, making the task of keeping your site running seamlessly easier.
Decluttering Dashboard
A tidy WordPress dashboard can help you concentrate on the critical aspects of your site. Eradicating unused themes helps reduce clutter, providing a cleaner, more efficient workspace for managing your site.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Removing WordPress Themes
The necessity of removing WordPress themes now being apparent. Let’s delve into the process of doing so. However, creating a backup of your site is critical. You can do this either manually or with the help of a plugin. It’s a safety net if something unexpected occurs.
Login to your WordPress Dashboard.
On the left side menu bar, hover over the [Appearance] tab with the mouse cursor, then click on [Themes].
You’ll see all the themes installed on your site in the’ Themes’ section. Your active theme will be highlighted. Any other themes are not in use and can be classified as unused.
Delete the Unused Themes
To start removing WordPress themes, hover over one and click on [Theme Details] that appears. A window will open with information about the theme.
At the bottom right, there’s a ‘Delete’ button. Click this, and WordPress will ask you for confirmation. Click ‘OK’ to delete this theme.
Continue this process for each unused theme until only your active theme remains.
Note: This is mainly relevant to new WordPress installations that may come with several default themes. If you’re an experienced user, you must know which themes you don’t need.
Conclusion
Removing WordPress themes is not a task to be taken lightly. It’s a crucial part of maintaining a secure, high-performing WordPress website. And remember, any theme you remove can be reinstalled later if needed. So, keep your website lean and efficient by eliminating any themes you no longer need.
The current article is "6.3. Removing WP Themes" of our Complete SEO Guide Box.
Previous Article: 6.2. Installing WP Themes. Next Article: 6.4. Customizing Astra Theme
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