How to Delete WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
So, you’ve decided to part ways with WooCommerce? Maybe you’re changing your business model, switching to a different e-commerce platform, or simply testing things out. Whatever your reason, deleting WooCommerce isn’t as straightforward as just hitting the “delete” button. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you remove it completely and avoid future headaches.
Imagine you’re moving out of a house. You wouldn’t just leave all your furniture and belongings behind, would you? You’d clean up, remove everything, and leave it ready for the next occupants. Deleting WooCommerce requires a similar approach – a complete and thorough removal.
Why Delete WooCommerce Properly?
Deleting WooCommerce improperly can leave behind lingering files and database tables, which can:
- Slow down your website: Unnecessary files consume server resources.
- Cause conflicts with other plugins: Leftover code can interfere with other plugins’ functionality.
- Increase security risks: Old, unused files can become vulnerabilities.
- Create database bloat: A cluttered database impacts website performance.
- Why backup? A simple mistake, like deleting the wrong file, can break your entire site. A backup allows you to revert to a working version.
- How to backup? You can use a plugin like UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, or BlogVault. Your hosting provider might also offer backup solutions.
- Option 1: Using the WooCommerce Settings (If Available): Some versions of WooCommerce offer a built-in option to remove data on deactivation. To check if your version has this:
- Option 2: Using a Plugin Like “Advanced Database Cleaner”: This plugin helps you identify and delete orphaned database tables and options left behind by WooCommerce.
- Option 3: Manually Deleting Database Tables (Advanced Users Only!): This is the most technical option and should only be attempted if you are comfortable working with databases.
Therefore, taking the time to delete WooCommerce correctly is crucial for the long-term health and performance of your WordPress website.
Step 1: Back Up Your Website (Seriously!)
This is non-negotiable. Before making any significant changes to your website, always create a complete backup. Think of it as your safety net. If anything goes wrong during the deletion process, you can easily restore your website to its previous state.
Step 2: Deactivate WooCommerce Plugin
The first and simplest step is to deactivate the WooCommerce plugin itself. This is like turning off the lights before leaving a room.
1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
3. Find the WooCommerce plugin.
4. Click the Deactivate link under the plugin name.
Step 3: Delete the WooCommerce Plugin
Now that you’ve deactivated WooCommerce, you can delete it. This removes the main plugin files from your server.
1. While still on the Plugins > Installed Plugins page, find the deactivated WooCommerce plugin.
2. Click the Delete link under the plugin name.
3. You’ll be prompted with a confirmation message. Click OK to proceed.
Important: This step *does not* remove all WooCommerce data. It only removes the core plugin files.
Step 4: Delete WooCommerce Pages (Optional, but Recommended)
WooCommerce automatically creates several essential pages like “Shop,” “Cart,” “Checkout,” and “My Account.” You can delete these if you no longer need them.
1. Go to Pages > All Pages in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Locate the WooCommerce pages. They are usually named “Shop,” “Cart,” “Checkout,” and “My Account.”
3. Hover over each page and click Trash.
4. Go to the Trash tab and click Empty Trash to permanently delete the pages.
Reasoning: Leaving these pages can be confusing for visitors and create unnecessary clutter.
Step 5: Remove WooCommerce Data (Important!)
This is the most crucial step. You need to remove the WooCommerce data from your WordPress database. There are a few ways to do this:
1. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Advanced.
2. Look for a checkbox or option labeled something like “Delete WooCommerce data on uninstall” or similar.
3. If you find it, check the box and save the settings *before* deactivating and deleting the plugin.
1. Install and activate the “Advanced Database Cleaner” plugin.
2. Go to WP DB Cleaner > Tables.
3. Search for tables with the prefix `wp_woocommerce_` or `wp_wc_`.
4. Select these tables and choose “Delete” from the bulk actions menu.
5. Go to WP DB Cleaner > Options.
6. Search for options with the prefix `woocommerce_` or `wc_`.
7. Select these options and choose “Delete” from the bulk actions menu.
1. Access your database using phpMyAdmin (usually available through your hosting control panel).
2. Back up your database *again* before proceeding.
3. Identify and delete the WooCommerce tables (those with prefixes like `wp_woocommerce_` and `wp_wc_`).
4. Delete WooCommerce options from the `wp_options` table (search for options with prefixes like `woocommerce_` and `wc_`).
Warning: Incorrectly deleting database tables can severely damage your website. If you’re unsure, use a plugin or consult with a developer.
Step 6: Remove WooCommerce Shortcodes (If Used)
If you’ve used WooCommerce shortcodes in your posts or pages (e.g., `[woocommerce_product id=”123″]`), you’ll need to remove them. Leaving them in place will result in broken content.
1. Go to Posts > All Posts or Pages > All Pages.
2. Search for the shortcodes using the WordPress search function.
3. Edit the posts or pages and remove the shortcodes.
Step 7: Clean Up Your .htaccess File (If Necessary)
In some cases, WooCommerce might add rules to your `.htaccess` file. While not always necessary, it’s good practice to check and remove any WooCommerce-related rules.
1. Access your website’s files using FTP or your hosting control panel’s file manager.
2. Locate the `.htaccess` file in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
3. Open the `.htaccess` file and look for any WooCommerce-specific rules (they usually have comments indicating their purpose).
4. Remove these rules.
5. Save the `.htaccess` file.
Caution: Incorrectly editing the `.htaccess` file can break your website. Only remove rules that you are certain are related to WooCommerce.
Step 8: Test Your Website
After completing these steps, thoroughly test your website to ensure everything is working as expected. Check for broken links, errors, and any unexpected behavior.
Deleting WooCommerce might seem daunting at first, but by following these steps carefully, you can ensure a clean and complete removal, leaving your website running smoothly. Remember to back up your website before you start, and if you’re unsure about any of the steps, consult with a WordPress developer. Good luck!
