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  4. WP Core Update Cleaner
WP Core Update Cleaner icon

WP Core Update Cleaner

This plugin automatically removes some files in the root folder, like wp-config-sample.php, readme and license files, when WordPress is manually or au …

By Upperdog·Core·Free
4.5(4 reviews)
·900 active installs·Updated 2 years ago
DownloadCompare

As of April 2026, WP Core Update Cleaner is a WordPress core plugin with 900 active installations and a 4.5/5 rating from 4 reviews. It has been downloaded 9.3K+ times in total. Requires WordPress 3.3+ and PHP false+. Available on WordPress.org since 2014. Last updated 2 years ago — may have compatibility concerns. Downloads are down 42% this week. Top alternative: WP Downgrade | Specific Core Version.

4.5/54 reviews
900active installs
9.3K+total downloads
12 yearssince 2014

Overview

When WordPress is updated, it re-installs wp-config-sample.php, readme files, and license files even though you may have deleted them before. This plugin automatically removes these files when WordPress is manually or automatically updated. It also removes these files when activating the plugin for the first time. Removing these files is not mandatory, but you may want to if you don’t want them to expose your WordPress version or if you just like to keep things neat and clean.

Files that are removed:

  • License files, both default and localized
  • Readme files, both default and localized
  • wp-config-sample.php
  • wp-admin/install.php

You may not want to install this plugin if you’re using a plugin or service to scans your site to verify checksums on the core files. When the removed fil…

Read full description on WordPress.org

Screenshots

Ratings & Reviews

4.54 reviews
5 ★
2
4 ★
2
3 ★
0
2 ★
0
1 ★
0

Recent Reviews

Excellent
by SypaCC·5 years ago

It makes life much easier by doing it’s job perfectly.

Great, could be Greater!
by Curtis·9 years ago

Thank you for your plugin development.

This plugin does what it says. Was using a read.me plugin remover on my sites. This is even better.

Second the thought of a future update to add removal install.php.

Mostly Useful!
by Julie·10 years ago

Glad I found this! It’s so annoying to have to remember to take these little steps every time WordPress core updates. It’s a real time-saver, so long as automatic updates are disabled. This plugin works perfectly with manual updates. However, with automatic updates, the readme.html file isn’t removed.

Needs to remove one more file
·10 years ago

Clean code which does what it says it does.

Needs one improvement for 5 out of 5: removal of wp-admin/install.php

An added star if they gave it a UI with a customizable list of files
and directories to remove.

Download Trends

Today: 3Yesterday: 0This week: 18Period total: 910

Compatibility

WordPress3.3+ requiredTested up to 6.5.8
PHPfalse+ required

Version Adoption

v1.2
100.0%

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Frequently Asked Questions

Changelog

1.2.0 (2018-10-27)

  • Remove files when plugin is activated so site admins don’t have to wait for the next core update for the files to be removed.
View full changelog on WordPress.org

Contributors

Emil GustafssonEmil GustafssonUpperdogUpperdog
Plugin Info
Version
1.2.0
Last Updated
Mar 19, 2024
WP Requires
3.3+
Tested Up To
6.5.8
PHP Requires
false+
Active Installs
900
Downloads
9.3K+
Added
Dec 22, 2014
Business
Free

Tags

coreupdateupgrade

Developer

U
Upperdog
3 plugins0.0M+ total installs
View all plugins →

Quick Compare

WP Core Update Cleaner vs WP Downgrade | Specific Core Version→WP Core Update Cleaner vs Advanced Automatic Updates→WP Core Update Cleaner vs Core Rollback→

Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Analysis and metrics by PluginSift.