Allow re-installation of WordPress plugins and themes by upload.
Use the
Allow-reinstalls plugin to allow you to install a new version of a plugin or theme
without having to delete the existing plugin or theme.
The problem
Destination folder already exists. Plugin install failed.
- You have a plugin installed on your WordPress server
- You have a
.zipfile containing a different version - You want to replace the existing version with the
.zipfile - When you attempt to use Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin you get the following messages
Installing Plugin from uploaded file: your-plugin vw.x.y.zip Unpacking the package… Installing the plugin… Destination folder already exists. /path-to/wp-content/plugins/your-plugin/ Plugin install failed.
Destination folder already exists. Theme install failed.
- You have a theme installed on your WordPress server
- You have a
.zipfile containing a different version - You want to replace the existing version with the
.zipfile - When you attempt to use Appearance > Themes > Add New > Upload Theme you get the following messages
Installing Theme from uploaded file: your-theme vw.x.y.zip Unpacking the package… Installing the theme… Destination folder already exists. /path-to/wp-content/themes/your-theme/ Theme install failed.
The solution
- Install the
allow-reinstallsWordPress plugin - Activate the
allow-reinstallsWordPress plugin - Try performing your upload again
- This time your server will not fail because the Destination folder already exists
- So your plugin or theme should be updated
Features
- Very simple solution
- Allows upgrade and downgrade
- Uses standard WordPress upload process
- Requires WordPress 4.3.0 or above
- Tested with WordPress 4.4.1 and WordPress MultiSite
