If you’ve identified suspicious, unused, or unnecessary files inside your WordPress File Manager, removing them safely is important to keeping your website secure, organised, and performing optimally.
This guide will help you safely remove unwanted WordPress files while reducing the risk of accidentally damaging your website.
You’ll learn how to:
- Remove unused media files
- Delete inactive plugins and themes
- Clean unnecessary uploads and backups
- Remove unwanted files safely using File Manager or WordPress tools
- Reduce website clutter and improve maintenance
Most importantly, this guide prioritises safety first.
You do not need to remove everything immediately, and careful cleanup is always safer than rushed deletion.
When To Use This Guide
Use this guide if:
- your website storage is full
- you discovered suspicious files
- old plugins/themes are no longer needed
- backups are consuming space
- malware scanners flagged files
- your uploads folder is heavily cluttered
Before You Begin
Before removing any files:
- Create a full website backup
- Avoid deleting files unless you are certain they are unnecessary
- Remove files gradually rather than all at once
- Keep a copy of removed files where possible
IMPORTANT: Deleting the wrong WordPress files can break your website, themes, plugins, email forms, or admin access.
Need Help Identifying Unwanted Files First?
If you are unsure which files are safe to remove, first review our guide:
How To Identify Unwanted Files in File Manager (WordPress)
This helps you safely identify suspicious or unnecessary files before removal.
Why Removing Unwanted Files Matters
Over time, WordPress websites accumulate:
- unused plugins
- old themes
- orphaned media
- outdated backups
- temporary files
- database clutter
Cleaning these safely may help:
- improve website performance
- reduce storage usage
- simplify maintenance
- strengthen website security
- reduce malware risks
What Won’t Break
This guide focuses on safe cleanup practices.
It does not:
- remove active website content intentionally
- reset your website
- delete your database automatically
- change your domain or hosting configuration
1: Back Up Your Website First
Before removing anything:
- Create a full website backup
- Download important files locally
- Ensure your database is included
IMPORTANT: A backup allows you to restore your website if something important is accidentally removed.
2: Remove Unused Media Files
Unused images and media can consume significant storage space.
Steps To Remove Media via WordPress Dashboard
- Log in to WordPress
- Review files carefully
- Delete unused media items individually
Steps To Bulk Remove Media
- Open:
Media → Library - Click:
Bulk Select - Choose unwanted files
- Click:
Delete Selected
IMPORTANT: Some page builders or themes may still reference unattached images.
TIP: Always confirm usage before removal.
3: Remove Inactive Plugins
Inactive plugins remain stored on your website even when disabled.
Steps To Remove Plugins
- Review inactive plugins
- Delete plugins no longer required
Best Practice: Only keep plugins actively used on your website.
4: Remove Unused Themes
Unused themes can increase clutter and potential security exposure.
Recommended Cleanup Steps
- Go to:
Appearance → Themes - Keep:
- your active theme
- one default fallback theme
- Remove unused themes
Examples of Fallback Themes
- Twenty Twenty-Four
- Twenty Twenty-Three
5: Remove Old Backup Files
Many WordPress backup plugins create large backup archives inside:
- /wp-content/uploads/
- backup folders
- plugin-specific directories
What To Look For
Look for:
- .zip
- .tar
- .gz backup files
IMPORTANT: Download important backups locally before deletion.
6: Remove Files Using File Manager or FTP
Some files may not appear inside WordPress Dashboard tools.
Access File Manager
- Log in to your hosting control panel
- Open File Manager
Remove Files Carefully
Delete only files or folders you have already verified as safe to remove.
IMPORTANT
Avoid deleting the following:
- wp-admin
- wp-includes
- core WordPress files
- active theme files
- active plugin files
7: Clean Database Clutter
WordPress databases may accumulate unnecessary data over time.
What This May Include
- spam comments
- post revisions
- expired transients
- temporary cache entries
Cleanup Tools
Popular cleanup plugins may assist with:
- database optimisation
- spam cleanup
- revision cleanup
Examples include:
IMPORTANT: Always review cleanup recommendations carefully before confirming deletion.
Advanced (Optional) Cleanup
For Technical Users or Administrators
Review File Permissions
Incorrect permissions may contribute to malicious uploads.
Scan for Malware Before Deletion
Use WordPress security tools to identify malicious files before removing them.
Remove Suspicious Executable Files
Review unexpected:
- .php
- .phtml
- .phar
files inside uploads directories carefully.
Review Large Storage Directories
Use storage analysis tools to identify oversized folders consuming abnormal space.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Deleting files without backups
- Removing active plugin files
- Deleting images still used by themes/builders
- Removing WordPress core files
- Cleaning everything at once
- Ignoring malware scans before deletion
Before You Move On
- Verify your website still loads correctly
- Test forms and contact pages
- Check images and media display properly
- Confirm plugins and themes still function
If This Didn’t Work
Should your website behave unexpectedly after cleanup:
- restore from backup
- reactivate removed plugins if necessary
- review deleted files carefully
- run a malware/security scan
If you suspect compromise or corruption, contact your developer or hosting provider for further investigation.
Next Recommended Step
You may also find these guides useful:
- How To Identify Unwanted Files in File Manager (WordPress)
- Purchasing 1-grid’s Essential Data Backup
- How to Back Up Your Website (WordPress)
- WordPress Security Tips
- How to Restore a WordPress Backup (Acronis)
- Managing WordPress Plugins
- Managing WordPress Themes in Plesk
Empowering Insight
Safe WordPress cleanup is not about deleting as much as possible. It’s about understanding what your website truly needs so you can maintain it confidently and securely over time.
FAQs
Q. Will deleting unwanted files improve website speed?
In some cases, yes. Especially if large unused media, plugins, or backups are consuming resources.
Q. Can I recover deleted files?
Only if you have a backup available.
Q. Is it safe to remove inactive plugins?
Generally yes, if they are no longer required. However, always confirm they are not still needed by your website.
Q. Will this affect my website visitors?
If cleanup is done carefully, visitors should not notice any impact.
Q. Can malware return after cleanup?
Yes, if vulnerabilities remain unresolved. Keeping WordPress, themes, and plugins updated is important for ongoing protection.
Need Additional Support?
We’re Here to Help:
Cleaning WordPress files can feel intimidating, especially when you’re worried about accidentally removing something important. If you’re unsure what is safe to remove, our Team can help guide you further. Stuck? Contact our Team for further clarity and guidance (https://1grid.co.za/contact-us/). We’re ready to see how we can help!