WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that is updated and maintained by contributing web developers and web designers all over the world. The themes and plugins used in WordPress websites are mostly free and can be downloaded from WordPress.org. This is a guide on how to obtain the zip files for your themes and plugins whenever the situation calls for a manual upload or update.
Download WordPress Themes
WordPress theme directory is not only available in WordPress dashboard but is also downloadable and accessible in WordPress.org. Follow the steps below on how to download it from their website:
Step 1. Access WordPress.org’s Themes page.
| Note: The chosen theme is only an example. Follow the same steps with your chosen WordPress theme. |
Step 2. Use the search box or the filter to make the browsing of themes easier.
| Note: There are also themes available outside WordPress.org that you can pay for. The updated versions or theme files of these themes are only obtainable by contacting the theme provider. |
Step 3. Hover your cursor to your chosen theme and click the Download button on it. This automatically initiates a download of the theme’s latest version.
Download WordPress Plugins
WordPress plugin directory is not only available in WordPress dashboard but is also downloadable and accessible in WordPress.org. This is mostly helpful if the plugin in your website is broken. The plugin file needs to be downloaded to your computer first before you can manually upload the plugin to your website. Follow the steps below on how to download a plugin from WordPress website.
Step 1. Access WordPress.org’s Plugins page.
| Note: The chosen plugin is only an example. Follow the same steps with your chosen WordPress plugin. |
Step 2. Enter the keyword or the name of the plugin in the search box to find the plugin that you’re looking for.
Step 3. Click the Enter key on your computer or the magnifying glass icon on the right side of the search box to generate the results of the search.
Step 4. Click the name of your chosen plugin.
Step 5. Click the Download button on the right side of the page. This automatically initiates a download of the plugin’s latest version.
| Tip: Each plugin page has more details on it. Read and familiarize yourself about the plugin to know if it is the right one for your website before downloading it. |
Need to download the previous version?
Previous versions of themes and plugins are sometimes needed to troubleshoot the website. It is one way to undo the automatic updates of plugins and themes. Reverting back to the previous version should be the last option because it is not safe to use outdated plugins and themes.
Downloading a Previous Version of a Theme
Follow the steps below on how to download the file for the theme’s previous version:
Step 1. Access WordPress.org’s Themes page.
Step 2. Enter the name of the theme in the search box.
Step 3. Click the Enter key on your computer to generate the results of the search.
| Note: The chosen theme is only an example. Follow the same steps with your chosen WordPress theme. |
Step 4. Hover your cursor to the theme that you wish to download and click the More Info button.
Step 5. Right-click on the Download button to see more options.
Step 6. Click the Copy link address from the drop-down.
Step 7. Paste the link on Notepad, TextEdit or in any word document to save it for later. This information is needed for Step 11.
Step 8. Go back to the page of the theme where you left off and scroll down to the bottom part of the page.
Step 9. Under Browse the Code, click the Development Log link.
Step 10. Take note of the version number you want to download. The version numbers are listed under Log Message column.
Step 11. Edit the link you have taken note in Step 7. Replace the version number with the previous version number you want to download. As an example, this article chooses the version 2.0.2 of OceanWP theme.
Step 12. Copy the edited link and access it on an internet browser. This initiates the download of the theme file with the version you have indicated on the link.
Downloading a Previous Version of a Plugin
Follow the steps below on how to download the file for the plugin’s previous version:
Step 1. Access WordPress.org’s Plugins page.
| Note: The chosen plugin is only an example. Follow the same steps with your chosen WordPress plugin. |
Step 2. Enter the keyword or the name of the plugin in the search box to find the plugin that you’re looking for.
Step 3. Click the Enter key on your computer or the magnifying glass icon on the right side of the search box to generate the results of the search.
Step 4. Click the name of your chosen plugin.
Step 5. Click the Advanced View link at the right side of the page under Details tab.
Step 6. The page will redirect you to the Advanced View tab. Scroll down to PREVIOUS VERSIONS and click the drop-down to select the plugin version you want to download.
Step 7. Click the Download button to start the download.
| Tip: The editing of the link as demonstrated on how to download a previous version of a theme is also applicable to the plugins. |
You can now use these downloaded themes and plugins to install the WordPress theme or update a plugin version.
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