WordPress 5.5- Why Disable Plugins and Themes in The Latest Version
The new feature of automatic update in plugins and themes is exemplary. Released in early August, WordPress has developed this feature as a part of its core release. Perhaps, the site owner can now enable as well as disable auto-update for both individual plugins and themes directly from the WordPress admin dashboard. As you stick with us, we will provide a detailed outlook on why WordPress core offers such feature and how exactly will it benefit the site owners.
Automatic Update and Its Significance
The release of the latest version has turned off auto-update for plugins and themes by default. Site owners will need to visit the dashboard in case he/she wants to go for an auto-update. Here are the following options you can go with
- Choose to turn on auto-update for all the installed plugins
- Choose to auto-update selected plugins
- Choose not to turn on auto-update for any plugins
Similarly, WordPress 5.5 offers an on or off on toggle. Meanwhile, site owners do not get the option to select updates such as
- Only applying security updates
- Only updating to minor releases
The system has been transformed, and the update prepares through the wp-cron process twice a day. Meanwhile, if there is a new update be it a large scale featured update or a minor security fix, the latest version gets downloaded and installed automatically. Likewise, updates occur only, when the auto-updates are switched on for a specific plugin or theme.
Operations engineers refer such automatic updates as "unattended updates". Here, the code of plugins and themes gets updated as well as deployed without the site owners' participation. What it exactly means is that it may proceed while the
- Site owner is in the middle of a meeting
- Site owner is publishing on the site
- Site owner is asleep
The owner will receive an email about the update, but if they miss it, they might know only after they log in again and further see a new version of the updated system. In rare cases, some plugins come with built-in auto-updates.
Features You Should Try in Your WordPress
WordPress 5.5 has come with a significant release; however, unless you avail the managed WordPress hosting service, you will manually need to initiate the update. Here’s what you get with the latest update
Improved Block Editor
The block editor serves the purpose of creating content. This is where most of the time creators spend their work. Likewise, like every time, WordPress has brought a significant improvement in the block editor.
Meanwhile, the recent update helps you run block editor more efficiently.
Integrated Block Directory
The 5.5 version comes with an integrated block directory which allows you to automatically see suggestions from the directory incase a block is not available.
Block directory is a collection of WordPress plugins that allows you to add different types of blocks to the site. However, this does not include block library plugins.
UI Changes
The WordPress 5.5 has come with the visual improvement to the block editor. Perhaps, the update has specifically focused on borders and highlights, allowing block editor to have greater accessibility.
The “Add new block” button (+) looks like a button and has a black background.
Edit Images
Now, you can edit images inside the block editor. Moreover, you can also adjust image height, width, aspect ratio, rotate and crop without leaving the post editor. Meanwhile, you also get the option to perform basic image editing in the media library.
New users can use inline image editing to discover built-in editing options.
Introduction of Block Pattern
The block editor has reusable blocks and groups that allow users commonly used blocks. A new feature called block pattern has come with the update. These are blocks that you can add instantly with pre-configured settings.
Not only does it quickly help create a page layout, but it also ensures consistency in style across the website. As of now, there are a few of them; however, WordPress will add more.
Enhanced Block Navigation and Movement
WordPress 5.5 comes with user-friendly block navigation system making smoother to select parent block or nested element. Previously, it was quite difficult to select the parent block or move a child element. But now, you can swiftly move blocks by grabbing the handle and dropping them.
Automatic Update Against Malware Infection
The automated update system emphasizes on improved security of the WordPress installation and further make maintenance easier for the site owners. Now you no longer need to perform plugin and themes update as your site will run “unattended” as soon as updates are available.
Update Strategy for Diverse Groups
The flexibility of WordPress has made it popular amongst users. In fact, WordPress enables publishers and businesses with numerous benefits. However, there are particular circumstances and needs of each area. Here we place a few of them,
Small Business Brochureware
We recommend you to turn auto-updates for all themes and plugins. This is because
- The risk is reasonable as you need not rely on the WordPress site for income or services rather than marketing.
- You do not need to check the site frequently so auto-update ensures the site remains up to date.
- The worst-case happens if the marketing content goes missing for some time.
Small Business Ecommerce
Your site has a great significance as it takes orders and payments from the customers. You need to sign in to admin dashboard to perform attended updates. Therefore, owners need to disable plugins and themes selectively. Consider enabling the plugins only if you think plugin vendor has a solid QA team and process with a strong reputation for releasing a solid code.
Agencies for Businesses with Many Site
We recommend you to disable auto-updates. This is because
- The risk seems to be higher as customers rely on your site. Any auto-update will not impact the revenue of yours or your clients.
- You actively need to maintain each WordPress site. You already update WordPress core plugins and themes as soon as practicable.
- User impact is costly, and users may face issues when purchasing up services
Enterprises
We recommend not to use unattended auto-updates. This is because
- The risk is highest here as your site is mission-critical.
- Your QA team evaluates rapidly and tests new plugin releases in your staging environment. Auto-updates will remove the overall step.
- Customers will face issues in purchasing services, signing up and accessing the content and resources along with website disruption.