WP-Mix

By default, WordPress installs its bundled themes and plugins every time the software is updated. So for example, if you’re running the Hello Dolly plugin and a new version is available, WordPress will update the plugin when you upgrade WordPress.

And that’s a good thing, but there’s a problem: if you’ve deleted Hello Dolly, WordPress will re-install every time you upgrade WordPress. So you have to keep deleting the plugin over and over again..

This is true not just for Hello Dolly, but also for Akismet and all of the default Twenty-Something WP themes. This WP-Mix tutorial shows you an easy way to save some time by stopping WordPress from automatically adding its bundled plugins and themes with every WP update.

Stop bundled plugins & themes

WordPress makes it so easy, just add this line to your site’s wp-config.php:

define('CORE_UPGRADE_SKIP_NEW_BUNDLED', true);

Done! Say goodbye to unwanted bundled plugins and themes; they will not return once you delete them. I’ve been using this technique here at WP-Mix for a long time and it works 100% flawlessly.

Bonus: Set the default WP theme

Here’s an equally easy way to specify the default WordPress theme for your site. Add this directive to your site’s wp-config.php:

define('WP_DEFAULT_THEME', 'theme-folder-name');

Then edit theme-folder-name with the name of your theme’s directory (i.e., the theme’s slug). WordPress will never forget which theme it should be using as the default theme. Rest easy!

More wp-config tricks..

Check out more cool WP config tricks!