Removing a plugin cleanly (not just deactivating)

Removing a plugin cleanly (not just deactivating)

Deactivating turns a plugin off. Deleting removes it. But some leave clutter behind. Here's the tidy way.

1. Back up first, in case the plugin held something you still need.
2. Check the plugin's settings for a "remove all data on uninstall" option, and decide if you want that on.
3. Go to Plugins, click Deactivate, and immediately check your site still works.
4. If all's well, click Delete to fully remove it.
5. Visit the pages where you used it, a leftover shortcode (a little code tag) may now show as plain text and need erasing.

Fewer plugins means a faster, safer site, so prune the ones you stopped using.

In plain words: deactivate, confirm nothing broke, then delete, and sweep up any leftover code tags.