How to delete media in file manager

  • Unknown's avatar
    dreddsworld · Member ·

    Hello,

    I have over 35,000 media I want to delete… deleting from WordPress will take forever..

    How do I delete in file manager..

    I tried deleting in file manager wp-content -> Uploads

    saw files in year (2018, 2019…..) deleted all the files and refreshed media in WordPress only to see the images staring at me.

    How do I fix this? Thanks

  • jmills39 · Staff ·

    Hi there,

    Thank you for reaching out with your question.

    To help you effectively, could you please confirm where your site is hosted? Knowing this will help us provide more accurate guidance.

    Since your issue involves deleting a large number of media files, here are a few steps you can try:

    Deleting Files via File Manager:

      • As you mentioned, you tried deleting files directly from the wp-content/uploads directory. However, simply deleting files from the file manager may not remove them from the WordPress media library.

      Database Cleanup:

        • To fully remove these media files from your WordPress site, you’ll also need to clean up the database entries. You can use a plugin like “Media Cleaner” which helps you delete both the files and their database entries.

        Use Plugins:

          • Consider using a plugin designed for bulk media deletion. Plugins like “Bulk Delete” can help you delete media files directly from your WordPress dashboard.

          Backup Your Site:

            • Before making any bulk deletions, ensure you have a complete backup of your site. This will allow you to restore your site in case anything goes wrong.

            If your site is hosted on WordPress.org, this issue is generally outside the scope of our usual support. For additional help, you can contact your hosting provider or seek assistance in the WordPress.org forums.

            If you’re considering migrating to WordPress.com for more direct support and enhanced features, we offer a free migration service. You can request this free migration by replying to this post, and we’ll provide the next steps.

            To understand the benefits of WordPress.com compared to WordPress.org, please refer to our detailed comparison guide.

            If you have any further questions or need additional help, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to assist you!

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