Adding & Removing Themes
If you happen to have downloaded a theme that is not included within the WordPress Themes Directory, you can easily add this through FTP. There are also options to upload theme files directly into WordPress as a ZIP-file, but this is often limited on size during upload and can cause problems.
Uploading A Theme
I got a premium theme from StudioPress that is not available through the WordPress Theme Directory, so I have to manually upload it to my website.
The only difference between uploading the theme via the upload a theme option within the WordPress - Appearance - Themes menu, is that you can upload those there as a ZIP file, while with FTP you need to first unpack or unzip the ZIP file into the many files and directories the theme exists of.
Once unzipped, you will see directories like the one below for each theme you got available for upload.
On the right side you need to choose the right directory for themes within WordPress.
So double click the following directories on the right window (server-side):
httpdocs - wp-content - themes
Now you might see the directories of already installed and existing themes here. I got a StudioPress framework (Genesis) and child-theme (metro-pro) already uploaded and active for my website.
For this tutorial I will upload another child-theme to my website.
Select the theme you want to upload and either drag and drop it to the right frame or right-mouse-button click it and click the option upload from the menu that pops-up.
As soon as you do that, the directory and its underlying files will start uploading. Once again, depending on the amount of files and the speed of your internet connection, this will take some amount of time.
You can follow progress by what is happening either on top or in the far bottom, where files are shown to be uploading.
When this is completed, you should go to your WordPress Dashboard - Appearance - Themes and activate the theme you just uploaded.
Removal of Themes
Although there are perfect options to remove a theme (once deactivated) from the Dashboard, there could be situations you would want to delete it manually, for example when WordPress doesn't function for one reason or another.
It is pretty simple a matter of selecting the directory of the theme (right window) and right-mouse-button clicking for the popup to appear from where you click on delete.
It is a very good idea to:
- Know what you are doing, activated themes that are removed is going to cause a WordPress crash
- Make a backup of everything on your site before you do so. Backup is explained on page 5.
Next up: how to add or remove plugins.
Reply
Thanks for this excellent training. I've been seeing references to FTP but had no idea what it was and how to use it. You detailed instructions will be a great reference tool!
Debbie
Really great to hear that the tutorial is exceeding your expectations. You are most welcome to share it on livechat, comments and private messages as well as using the affiliate link in your other stream of communication.
Steven
Mac is a bit different from Windows where I work upon, but all PC's, be it Mac, Windows or Linux come with hard disks and the organisation of files on it.
The documents folder on a Mac is most likely using cloud backup and is therefore an excellent place to store your backup, as it will automatically save to the cloud.
Steven
Very detailed and easy to understand bro, thanks again, peace! :-)
Sharing is caring, right? As far as I am concerned, the idea of the Open Learning Platform is that when one searches for a topic, one might find this tutorial.
Sharing on your own site (with referral link) is entirely okay. Sharing within WA is also perfectly fine. If you help someone out on chat and they ask for FTP help, you can link them this tutorial, for example, or your own if you happen to have one ;)
The reason I create these tutorials is that I find some stuff not available on the search bar. When I finished a tutorial it gives me the possibility to link the tutorial and share them with people on chat or in question forums.
But thanks for asking anyway. Appreciated. So share away!
Steven
