How to delete unused files in WordPress and free storage space

By executing a WordPress site, pictures, videos and documents are often added.

Over time, this leads to a bloated media library that slows down your website, increases security variables and starts the server on the server.

Since ISITWP is a WordPress website that we update daily, we often confront with these problems. In addition, as WordPress experts, we helped many WordPress users to optimize their websites.

As a result, we saw first -hand how a large number of media files can affect the speed and performance of a WordPress site.

So we look forward to wpcode’s Remove unused media Work in the search and replace everything plugin.

This tool makes the cleaning of your media library safe and efficient.

In this manual we show you how you can identify and remove non -used media files without breaking your WordPress website.

Would you like to skip directly to the step-by-step tutorial how to remove unused files from your media library?

Click here.

It is important why removing unused media files is important

In the ISITWP blog we create easy -to -read tutorials, reviews and lists articles on WordPress topics, tools and plugins.

While these WordPress resources develop, their functions also receive a facelifting. This means that we have to create new screenshots, pictures and videos to reflect these changes.

While we update our contributions with new media files, the old ones become superfluous and sit and overload our WordPress library.

As you can see from our experience in managing WordPress websites, a crowded media library can damage the performance of your website.

Like: How:

• Slower site speed: Additional media files increase the database size and can slow down the page.
• Larger backups: Unused media improves your security files so that you can take longer to be completed.
• Worty hosting room: Many top hosting companies only have limited storage. This means that deleting unnecessary files can help you stay within your limits.
• Difficult site management: Finding important pictures in an untidy media library can be frustrating.

As you can see, a clean media library means a faster and more efficient website.

Frequent challenges of manually deleting unused media

Before the unused media function in the search for the WPCode plugin removed, we had to remove unwanted media by hand. My team and I had the feeling of sorting through boxes in a crowded attic.

This old way had many challenges:

• WordPress does not pursue unused files: WordPress does not tell you which files are not needed. In fact, it does not follow what is used and what only takes up space. You play detective and try to find out which files are actually needed. In the past we spent countless hours of sorting my media library last year!
• The manual review of each file is time -consuming: The hand by hand by walking through every file takes a lot of time. Imagine you have to check every single book in a library to see if anyone has read it lately – that’s how it feels! If you deal with a website with thousands of images, this task can last forever.
• If you delete the wrong files, you can break through your website: This is scary. If you accidentally remove a picture used in a post, a topic or a plugin, you have broken image links everywhere. It is like removing a piece from a puzzle and finding the image incompletely. We saw how a small error can lead to broken links in posts, topics or plugins and leave a site with missing parts. We learned this lesson on the hard tour after we broke a customer’s homepage header!
• Database data records remain: Even after you have deleted media files, your remaining data records can overload your website. It is similar to cleaning your closet, but leave the old tags and receipts behind. Over time, these additional bits can cause the database to feel full and messy, even if the files have disappeared.

Remember that the management of your website sometimes feels like a garden – the task must be careful for the task to bloom everything nicely. And as to maintain a garden, these problems built up like small hurdles over time.

For this reason, we recommend removing an automated solution such as the unused media function of WPCode.

Introduction of the function of unused media remove in WPcode

WPCode was born out of pure frustration. The type of frustration that leads to amazing solutions!

A WordPress expert team who had spent websites for over a decade was fed up with doing everything by hand.

They met the same problems every day. Every time you had to add a custom code, you would have to dig out files, make careful changes and cross your fingers, hoping that nothing would break.

As a result, WPCode was created.

WPCode It is perfect to help someone without any technical experience to add code snippets to their WordPress site without any problems. In order to make your WordPress adaptation experience even better, WPCode offers a Snippet library.

In addition, you can also create, save and use your user -defined code -snippet.

Further information on this amazing plugin can be found in the latest WPCode rating here.

However, the problem with WPCode is that it cannot help to rationalize data consistency.

That is why this development team has developed a new plugin name Search and replace everything.

Search and replace everything Can help you search and replace text in your database. Just like with WPCode, you can also take changes before making it permanently.

But this WPCode plugin is still developing. As a result, you can remove images and other media files that are not used with one of your latest functions.

Removing unused media functions should help you find unused files and to delete safely without causing any problems.

Let us show you how.

Step-by-step instructions: How to remove non-used media files

In contrast to other tools, you are looking for and replace everything your entire database to check whether a media file is actually used before you delete it. This ensures that you do not accidentally remove any important images.

So you can use this tool to clean up your media library. You can choose one of the following links to skip the step you want to read.

Let us remove as you remove unused images and files from your WordPress media library.

Step 1: Install and activate the search and replace everything

The first step is to install the search of WPCode and replace everything plugin. If you have already installed WPCode, search and replace everything that has come directly in length, making the setup quickly and easily.

To unlock the search and replace everything with WPCode Code -Snippets »Search & replace.

On this page, select ‘Search and replace everything on the bottom of the screen.

As a result, the plugin is automatically installed and activated in your WordPress dashboard. Then you can access it by going Tools »WP search & replace.

However, you may want to replace the search and all plugin without a WPCode.

The good news is that WPCode A offers A Free version of Search & replace everything.

So if you want to try it Search and replace everything Lite replacesYou can install it directly via your WordPress dashboard.

To do this, go to Plugins »add new plugin.

Search for “Search and replace everything with WPcode”, click on install and activate now.

If you deal with problems, read these instructions for installing WordPress plugins.

After installation you will find it under Tools »WP search & replaceready to use.

With this free tool you can manage the website content directly in your WordPress administrator.

With the free version of Search & replace you can quickly find and replace text, images or media in your entire database. It has options such as selection of the table, case sensitivity and preview of changes.

It is ideal for site migrations or content updates and also makes it a smooth and efficient option for large websites.

To ensure that we show you everything this WordPress plugin can do when removing unused media files, we will use the Pro version for this tutorial.

How to get the Pro version

You need the Pro version to unlock the full potential of the search of WPCode and replace everything plugin. In this way, you can access extended functions, including unlimited picture set, a database tables picker and more.

Visit the official WPCode website and visit the search and replace everything. Then click on the “Search and replace everything” button “and you will be diverted to the price side.

Next, select a plan that is best suited for your needs. Fortunately, searching and replacing everything offers several price options, so you can find one that suits your budget and your needs.

As soon as you have completed your purchase, register in your WPCode account and navigate to the “Downloads” section. Here you will find the search and replace everything ZIP file.

Next download the file to your computer and copy License key– You have to activate the Pro version of the plugin.

Now open your WordPress dashboard and go to Plugins »add new plugin. Select “Upload Plugin” on this page and select the ZIP file straight down.

As soon as it is finished, press “Install now”.

Select after installation Activate How to activate the plugin on your website.

Then go to Tools »WP search & replace And open the “Settings” tab. Add the one on this screen License key You used to copy into the text bar.

Finally, select “Check button” to activate the Pro version.

That’s it! You can now completely install the search and replace everything pros. You are ready to clean up your media library and keep your website smoothly.

Step 2: Scan for non -used media files

Now it is time to scan your website for media files that are no longer used. This scan quickly shows you which media files take up space, which makes it easier to clean up and optimize your website.

To get started, go to Tools »WP search & replace. Then select the “Remove unused media” tab.

Select from here Start scan Browse and replace everything, your media library will go through and identify all the files that are nowhere used on your website.

The scan takes a few moments, and as soon as it is finished, you will see a list of media files that are safe to delete.

Step 3: Check and delete not used files

One thing that we appreciate about search and replace everything is the details that are offered for each picture according to the scan. You see a thumbnail, a title, a path, a database deposit and a size of every picture.

With this detail, you can see the full picture around every picture and make it easier to make decisions. It also saves you time and prevents mistakes – such as the failure of removing a still used image.

So take a moment to check the list of not used files. While the search and replacement of everything do a great job in identifying pictures that are not used, it is always a good idea to check manually.

After the review, you have the option of “being selected” or “Delete everything”.

If you see files you want to keep, simply deactivate them and use them Selected delete Option. Otherwise you can use them Delete all Option.

This function also ensures that you accidentally delete nothing that you need.

As you can see, this process is quick and automatic, so you don’t have to worry that you can delete each file manually.

Remember, if you are not sure, you can download the files backup at any time.

Congratulations! You can now delete unwanted media files from your WordPress website.

Optional step: replace media file

Browse and replace everything you can also help you replace media files directly without using the WordPress Media Library manually.

This is a good alternative to deleting the file if you feel like you may need it elsewhere, but still want to update images in a post.

This process is also very simple.

Everything you have to do is to go Tools »WP search & replace And go to the “Replace Media” tab.

Here you will find a list of all recently uploaded files. Next, hover over the picture you want to change and press the Substitute Button.

Then select “Select a file” to upload a file from your PC.

After uploading, search and replace a brief preview of the new picture. This helps you to quickly recognize whether it is the right picture.

Finally meet Replace the source file.

After uploading, you will find that the new picture has the same URL path as the deleted picture has and follows. This means that your website continues to refer you without broken links.

As a result, everything keeps everything in synchronization, so that all of your pages show the updated picture seamlessly.

That’s it. You can now replace media files in your WordPress library with the help of search and replace everything.

Bonus tip: Backup Best Practices before cleaning up

Although search and replace everything is completely safe, we always recommend supporting your website before we make big changes.

Having a good backup means that you can make changes safely because you know that your data is safe and willing to be restored if something unexpected happens.

Therefore we recommend Duplicator As the best backup plugin.

Duplicator offers a simple recovery function with which you can put your website back into operation in just a few clicks. In this way, soothe when you search for updates on your website and replace everything plugin.

Duplicator also offers a variety of memory options.

You can choose Cloud storage using services such as Dropbox, Amazon S3, Google Drive and more. On the other hand, choose the manual memory on your local server.

In addition, the function of disaster management will help you to quickly restore your website when something goes wrong.

Together, these functions ensure that your data is safe and you are looking for and you can replace everything safely.

Take a look at the latest duplicator evaluation here.

If you are looking for alternatives to the duplicator, you will find a list of the best backup plugins that you should compare.

Additional functions of the search and replace everything

Apart from the removal of unused media files, the search and replace plugin from WPCode offers several powerful functions with which the management of your WordPress site becomes easier and more efficient.

Let us see:

Search and replace a database value

One of the most valuable functions of search and replacing everything is the ability to search and replace any value in your database. This is useful if:

• Update outdated URLs after switching from HTTP to HTTPS or moving to a new domain.
• Correction of a typing error that is displayed over several posts or pages.
• Change metadata such as post -cars, SEO descriptions or user -defined field values.

Instead of editing each entry manually, you can do these updates in just a few clicks.

Search and replace everything that the process is quick, safe and precise. If you make changes on your website without breaking anything.

In addition, you will find other functions that you can expect from the search and replace everything.

• Real-time preview system: The preview function serves as a safety net. This is because it offers a detailed comparison of the proposed changes from side by side. It acts like an experienced correction vein and shows you exactly what will change before behavior. As a result, you can prevent countless mistakes while replacing or changing something in your databases.
• Safe change management: This function automatically pursues and monitors any change in your database. From our experience in the administration of large websites, this function has proven to be invaluable-especially if customers have to reverse the course in the content about important changes.
• Native Gutenberg Integration: This WordPress plugin integrates directly into your existing WordPress editor environment, which significantly optimizes your workflow. As a result, this integration saves valuable time and reduces the complexity of routine contents.

Well done! You now understand the search of WPCode and replace everything plugin, including the unused media function. In addition, you also know about the other helpful functions that keep your website smoothly.

If you have any questions, take a look at frequently asked questions below.

FAQs: How to remove non -used files from your media library

Last thoughts

As WordPress experts, we saw how overcrowded media libraries slow well-optimized websites. We therefore recommend the search and replace everything. Remove unused media Feature – It is the simplest and safest way to remove unused files without breaking your website.

The search and replacement of all plugin from WPCode is not just about removing unused media. It is a complete site management tool that simplifies the mass processing and database updates.

If you are looking for a way to optimize your WordPress site, reduce manual work and improve efficiency, the search for WPCode and replaces everything.

Apart from the search and replacing everything, you will find a list of the best WordPress database tools to clean and optimize the website.

In addition, you will find a list of articles where you can be interested in reading:

The first article leads you through the correction of the error in the creation of a database that establishes a connection to a WordPress site. The next post lists the best client database software. During the last article teaching you to save form data in a WordPress database.