WordPress is a highly versatile Content Management System (CMS) that is used by millions of web developers worldwide. One of the most defining features of WordPress is its themes, which offer you the freedom to change the look and feel of your website.
WordPress regularly releases new default themes every year, which get automatically added to your theme library upon updating the WordPress core. While these new themes are meticulously designed and offer a lot of flexibility, not all users may want to keep them in their theme repository.
In some cases, users might prefer to stick with a specific theme, or they might want to limit the clutter in their WordPress dashboard. In these scenarios, disabling the new default WordPress themes can be useful. This article will guide you on how to disable new default WordPress themes in WordPress.
Please note that this guide involves editing your site’s core files, which can break your site if not done correctly. Always create a complete backup of your site before making any changes to your site’s files.
Step 1: Access Your WordPress Files
You can access your WordPress files via an FTP client like FileZilla or directly from your hosting control panel’s File Manager.
Step 2: Locate the wp-config.php File
The wp-config.php file is one of the core WordPress files. It’s usually located in the root directory of your WordPress installation. Open this file in an editor.
Step 3: Disable Default WordPress Themes
To disable the default WordPress themes, you’ll need to add a line of code to your wp-config.php file. Navigate to the bottom of the file and before the line that says /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */, add the following line of code:
define( 'CORE_UPGRADE_SKIP_NEW_BUNDLED', true );
This line tells WordPress to skip adding the new bundled themes when you update your WordPress core.
Step 4: Save Your Changes
After adding the line of code, save your changes and close the wp-config.php file.
Step 5: Test Your Site
It’s essential to test your site after making changes to ensure everything is working as expected. Navigate around your site, and check its functionality.
Remember, this code won’t delete any existing themes from your theme repository. It will only stop new default themes from being added in the future when you update your WordPress core.
If you ever decide that you want to get the new themes, simply remove the line of code from your wp-config.php file, and the new themes will be added to your theme repository when you next update WordPress.
By following these steps, you can keep your WordPress backend organized and free from clutter, particularly if you’re a developer managing multiple sites. Just remember to always back up your site before making any changes to its core files to avoid any unintended consequences.
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