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WordPress Software • Open Source Release (v1.3)

Factory Reset

Reset a single-site WordPress installation by removing site data, custom tables, and installed extensions.

Download on WordPress.org → Explore WordPress Hub
Product Overview

Engineered for production WordPress environments

Factory Reset provides a fast, one-step mechanism to restore a single-site WordPress installation to a clean default state without reinstalling WordPress core. It permanently removes posts, pages, custom post types, attachments, comments, secondary users, custom database tables, and non-active plugins while safely preserving core tables, the active admin account, and directory structure.

Target Workflow

Who this plugin is for

WordPress developers, theme and plugin authors, QA test engineers, staging environment operators, and agency teams who need to wipe and reset testing environments rapidly between test cycles without performing a manual database drop or WordPress reinstallation.

Functional Scope

How it works in practice

Executes an atomic reset routine that removes all content (posts, pages, CPTs, metadata, revisions, attachments, comments), deletes all user accounts except the currently logged-in administrator, drops custom database tables with the table prefix, clears the uploads directory and custom folders, removes test plugins (except Factory Reset), and resets core options back to clean defaults while retaining siteurl, home, and admin access.

Safety Notice: Factory Reset is a destructive developer utility. Data deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. Always create a full database and filesystem backup before running a reset. The plugin is strictly locked to single-site WordPress installations; it will not run on WordPress Multisite networks.

Architecture & Features

In-depth technical architecture

Complete Content & Metadata Elimination

Iterates through all registered WordPress post types and attachments, removing posts, revisions, custom post types, taxonomy associations, and postmeta using core WordPress deletion APIs. All comments and comment meta are simultaneously purged.

  • Deletes all posts, pages, custom post types, and revisions
  • Purges all media attachments and attachment metadata
  • Removes all comments and commentmeta from the database

Administrator Account & Session Preservation

Identifies the currently logged-in administrator via get_current_user_id() and excludes them from deletion while purging all secondary administrator, editor, author, and subscriber accounts from wp_users and wp_usermeta. You remain logged in immediately after the reset.

  • Current admin ID excluded from user deletion queries
  • All other user accounts and metadata cleanly deleted
  • Session remains active with direct redirect to admin dashboard

Custom Database Table Cleanup

Scans the database for all tables matching the WordPress prefix (e.g. wp_*) and drops non-core tables created by third-party plugins, caching engines, and custom extensions, leaving core WordPress tables in a fresh state.

  • Drops all custom tables created by plugins and extensions
  • Protects WordPress core database table schema from deletion
  • Eliminates database bloat from uninstalled plugins

Uploads Directory & Extension Purge

Empties files and subdirectories from wp-content/uploads/ and custom staging folders while preserving the root directory structure and permissions. Removes inactive and test plugins from wp-content/plugins/ (excluding Factory Reset) and empties the themes directory.

  • Empties wp-content/uploads/ while preserving folder permissions
  • Unlinks installed testing plugins (except Factory Reset itself)
  • Preserves themes folder directory structure while emptying installed themes

Core Options Normalization

Resets key WordPress options (blogname, blogdescription, timezone_string, date/time format) back to standard out-of-the-box defaults while strictly preserving the siteurl and home options so the site remains accessible.

  • Restores default site title, tagline, and date/time formatting options
  • Preserves critical siteurl and home options to maintain routing
  • Zero manual wp-config.php editing needed

Destructive Safety Architecture

Protected behind the manage_options capability, check_admin_referer nonce verification, and an interactive confirmation prompt to prevent unauthorized or accidental invocation. Single-site only by design.

  • Restricted strictly to administrators with manage_options capability
  • Cryptographic nonce verification (factory_reset_nonce)
  • Explicit client confirmation prompt before execution
Deployment & Setup

Installation & Integration Guide

  1. Upload the factory-reset folder to /wp-content/plugins/ or install the ZIP via Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin.
  2. Activate Factory Reset through the WordPress Plugins screen.
  3. Navigate to Tools → Factory Reset in the WordPress admin sidebar.
  4. Review the warning notice and confirm you have a current full backup of your database and files.
  5. Click the Reset Site button and confirm the browser alert prompt to execute the reset.
Official Plugin Page on WordPress.org →
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Factory Reset safe to run on a live production website?
Factory Reset is a destructive utility designed specifically for development, staging, testing, and sandbox environments. It permanently deletes your content, users, media, and custom tables. You should never run it on a production website without an intentional requirement and a verified backup.
Will I be logged out after performing a reset?
No. Factory Reset specifically preserves the currently authenticated administrator user account and session. Once the reset completes, you are redirected back to the WordPress dashboard with your login intact.
Are core WordPress files or database tables destroyed?
No. WordPress core files in wp-admin, wp-includes, and the root directory are never modified. Core database tables are emptied and reset to default states rather than dropped, ensuring WordPress continues to function normally.
Does Factory Reset delete media and uploaded files?
Yes. All files inside the wp-content/uploads/ directory and custom staging folders are deleted to free disk space and clean the media library. The directory structure itself is preserved.
Can I recover my data after executing a reset?
No. The reset operation is permanent and irreversible. You must restore from a database and filesystem backup if you need to recover pre-reset data.
Does Factory Reset work on WordPress Multisite networks?
No. Factory Reset is designed exclusively for single-site WordPress installations. It will refuse to run on Multisite networks to prevent accidental network-wide database loss.
Does Factory Reset connect to any external server?
No. Factory Reset contains zero external scripts, makes no outbound HTTP requests, and collects no telemetry or analytics. All operations execute strictly on your local database and filesystem.
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