Imagine steering through the digital ocean, your WordPress site at the helm—only now, you wish to dock it, permanently.
It’s not always smooth sailing in the online realm; sometimes a fresh start or a strategic pivot necessitates the removal of a digital outpost from the web hosting control panel’s grasp.
In this voyage of virtual housekeeping, understanding the steps to properly remove a WordPress site from cPanel is as crucial as knowing how to navigate the treacherous tides of the cyber seas.
By the end of our expedition, the mist will clear, revealing how to wield the tools of cPanel—such as the File Manager and MySQL databases—like a seasoned captain, ensuring not a single trace of your WordPress sojourn remains adrift in server space.
This article will usher you through a fail-safe method to securely remove your WordPress site, safeguard necessary backups, and release your domain back into the wild.
Covering terminologies like FTP, Softaculous, and the involvement of your hosting provider, this guide guarantees complete mastery over the deletion process without losing sight of the shore.
How To Remove A WordPress Site From cPanel: Quick Workflow
- Back up your WordPress database and files:
- Export your WordPress content (posts, pages, etc.) to an XML file using the built-in WordPress export tool.
- Download a backup of your WordPress files from the public_html directory.
- Export your WordPress database using phpMyAdmin or a similar tool.
- Delete the WordPress files:
- Log into your cPanel account.
- Go to the File Manager and navigate to the public_html directory.
- Select all the WordPress-related files and folders and delete them.
- Delete the WordPress database:
- In cPanel, go to the MySQL Databases section.
- Find the database associated with your WordPress site and click “Delete” to remove it.
- Also delete the database user associated with the WordPress site.
- Remove the WordPress installation from Softaculous (if applicable):
- In cPanel, go to the Softaculous Apps Installer.
- Locate the WordPress installation you want to remove and click the “Uninstall” button.
- Select the options to remove the directory, database, and database user.
- Confirm the uninstallation process.
Precautions Before Uninstalling
Importance of backing up your website
Picture this: you’ve spent hours, days, weeks pouring your creativity and hard work into your website.
It’s your masterpiece, right?
Now imagine accidentally losing all that work. Gives you the chills, doesn’t it? That’s why backups are your best friends.
Think of them as the time machines of the digital world—they can’t prevent accidents, but they can take you back to a point when everything was okay.
How to create a backup of your WordPress database
Backing up your WordPress database isn’t rocket science. With the right tools and a little bit of know-how, it’s a breeze.
Here’s how it works: you head over to your cPanel, locate the phpMyAdmin tool, and there it is—your database, ready to be backed up.
Backing up site’s theme, plugins, meta tags, media files, and uploads
Think of your website as a puzzle, with pieces that include your theme, plugins, meta tags, media files, and uploads.
To restore your site, you need all these pieces. So don’t forget to backup these elements too. Keep them safe, and they’ll be ready for you when you need them.
Uninstalling WordPress from cPanel
Logging into your cPanel account
Jumping into the cPanel is the first step in our journey to answer the question, how do you remove a WordPress site from cPanel.
Now, I know, it can be daunting, right? So many options, so much power at your fingertips. But hey, you’ve got this! Just punch in your username and password and voila! You’re in.
Locating and using the Softaculous Apps installer
Now, onto the next step. We’re looking for something called the Softaculous Apps installer.
Picture it like a treasure chest full of apps, with WordPress being one of the most precious gems in it. You’ll typically find it towards the bottom of the cPanel home page.
Selecting the Installations option
You’ve found Softaculous! Great job. Now we need to find the “Installations” option. This is where you can see all your active installations, kind of like a control panel for everything you’ve got going on.
Removing the desired website
Here we are, the moment of truth—removing your WordPress website. You’ve checked your backups, right? Okay, then let’s do this. Find your website in the list of installations, hit “Remove”, and follow the prompts. Just like that, you’ve uninstalled WordPress.
Manual Uninstallation of WordPress from cPanel
Accessing the File Manager in cPanel
But what if you’re the hands-on type? Someone who likes to do things manually? Well, there’s a path for you too!
You’d start by heading over to the File Manager. It’s like the backstage pass to your website, giving you access to all the behind-the-scenes action.
Navigating to the ‘public_html’ directory
Within the File Manager, you’re going to find a directory labeled ‘public_html’. Think of it as the heart of your website—where all the action happens.
Selecting all files and deleting them
Now, brace yourself—this is where it gets real. You’ll need to select all the files in this directory and delete them.
It’s kind of like clearing out an old house to make way for a new one. This is a part of the process of how do you remove a WordPress site from cPanel.
Removing the associated MySQL database
You didn’t think we were done, did you? There’s still the MySQL database to deal with. Head back to your cPanel main page and look for the MySQL Databases option. From there, you can find your WordPress database and delete it.
Using Softaculous to Uninstall WordPress
Locating WordPress Manager by Softaculous in cPanel
But let’s say you’re more of a Softaculous person—no worries! You can still uninstall WordPress. This time, we’re looking for the WordPress Manager by Softaculous.
Selecting the website to delete
Once you’re in, you’ll see a list of all your WordPress sites. Find the one you want to delete and select it.
Confirming the uninstallation process
And finally, confirm the uninstallation. It’s like saying goodbye to an old friend—but don’t worry, you can always bring them back if you want to.
Reinstalling WordPress from cPanel
Using Softaculous for WordPress installation
Now that we’ve uninstalled WordPress, how about we reinstall it? You’re already familiar with Softaculous—well, it’s time to use it again. This time, you’ll be using it to install WordPress.
Customizing the installation settings
During the installation, you’ll be asked to customize your settings. This is where you can make your WordPress site truly yours, from choosing your site name to deciding your login details.
Completing the installation process
The final step is completing the installation process. It’s like the final touch on a masterpiece, the cherry on top of a sundae. And with that, you’ve successfully reinstalled WordPress!
FAQ on How Do You Remove A WordPress Site From Cpanel?
Can I delete a WordPress site directly from cPanel?
Absolutely. Within cPanel, navigate to the File Manager. There, you’ll delete the WordPress files from the root directory or subdirectory where your site lives. Don’t forget to remove the associated MySQL database through PHPMyAdmin for a clean sweep.
Will uninstalling WordPress from cPanel affect my content?
Indeed, it will. Uninstalling WordPress wipes your content from the server. To keep that valuable data, ensure you back up your site before you proceed with the uninstallation process—think of it as the life jacket for your website’s content.
How do I delete the WordPress database in cPanel?
With cPanel’s PHPMyAdmin, deleting your database is straightforward. Select the database linked to your WordPress site and opt for the Drop command. This action dismantles it, leaving nothing but open server space where your site’s heart used to be.
What happens to my domain when I remove WordPress from cPanel?
Your domain remains intact. Removing WordPress does not automatically release the domain—it simply detaches the files and databases from it. To set your domain free or repurpose it, adjust settings within the Domain Management section of cPanel.
Do I need to remove WordPress themes and plugins separately?
Not necessarily. When you delete the core WordPress files via File Manager, it takes down the entire structure—themes and plugins included. However, it’s good practice to deactivate them beforehand to ensure no lingering files.
Does removing WordPress from cPanel delete any email accounts?
No, it doesn’t. Email accounts operate independently within cPanel. WordPress removal won’t touch these—your emails will continue to float on calm waters, unaffected by the storm of site deletion.
After uninstalling WordPress, can I reuse the same database for a new site?
You can, but only after it’s been thoroughly cleansed of the old site’s data. If you’re charting a course for new digital horizons, starting with a fresh database might be the wiser route to avoid any spillover from past endeavors.
Is there a way to temporarily disable my WordPress site without deleting it in cPanel?
Certainly! One way is to use cPanel’s File Manager to rename the wp-config.php file; this breaks the connection to the database, idling your site without sinking it. It’s a temporary mooring, easily reversible when ready.
How do I ensure all my WordPress data is backed up before removal?
Preparation is key. Employ a WordPress backup plugin or manually download your site files and export your MySQL database. It’s like packing essentials before setting sail from a deserted island—you wouldn’t want to leave treasures behind.
What should I check before removing a WordPress site from cPanel?
Before you heave-ho, double-check your backups—ensure they’re comprehensive. Confirm that no email accounts or domains you wish to sustain are intricately tied to your WordPress installation.
Finally, ensure all stakeholders have disembarked from the site, aware that this digital vessel will soon be beneath waves.
Conclusion
Charting through the intricacies of how do you remove a WordPress site from cPanel, you’ve now docked at the journey’s end. A treasure trove of knowledge—from backing up your digital cargo to wiping clean your website’s footprint—lies at your command.
You’ve unlocked the secrets of:
- Purging the File Manager of its WordPress bounty;
- Casting off extraneous MySQL databases through the trusted PHPMyAdmin;
- Steering clear of the pitfalls that could see your email accounts inadvertently marooned;
- Knowing when to keep your domain anchored or let it set sail for new horizons.
The waters can seem daunting, but with the map laid out before you, the process needn’t be treacherous. Just remember, the digital sea gives back as much as it takes—you can always rebuild or rebrand on the blank canvas you’ve now created. Bon voyage, and may your next web venture catch the trade winds in its sails.
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