Title: The Hack Repair Guy's Plugin Archiver Author: The Hack Repair Guy Published: avuvɔsun 10, 2015 Last modified: zosun 11, 2025 --- Search plugins ![](https://ps.w.org/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1217824) ![](https://ps.w.org/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1217684) # The Hack Repair Guy's Plugin Archiver By [The Hack Repair Guy](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tvcnet/) [Download](https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/hackrepair-plugin-archiver.3.1.1.zip) * [Details](https://fon.wordpress.org/plugins/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/#description) * [Reviews](https://fon.wordpress.org/plugins/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/#reviews) * [Installation](https://fon.wordpress.org/plugins/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/#installation) * [Development](https://fon.wordpress.org/plugins/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/#developers) [Support](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/) ## Description Archive any plugin with one click. Archived plugins are hidden from your Plugins list and safely moved out of wp-content/plugins into a dedicated archive directory for easy restore later. Ideal for preventing accidental re-activation, testing different plugin sets, and keeping occasional-use tools out of sight until needed. #### Features * One‑click Archive link on the Plugins screen * Bulk Archive / Unarchive / Delete actions * Optional auto‑deactivate before archiving (recommended) * Manage multiple archive directories and switch between them * “Unarchive All” button on the Archived Plugins tab * Non‑destructive: archiving does not remove a plugin’s settings/data * Uses the built‑in WordPress Filesystem API with capability and nonce checks #### How it works * When you Archive a plugin, its folder is moved from wp-content/plugins to your chosen archive directory (e.g., wp-content/plugins-archive-xxxxxx). * Archived plugins are removed from the Plugins list, so they can’t be accidentally activated. * You may switch the active archive directory or create new ones in Settings Plugin Archiver. #### Common use cases * Maintain a “toolbox” of favorite utilities you don’t need to see every day * Quarantine buggy or compromised plugins to avoid accidental activation * Test different plugin stacks by pulling sets into and out of the archive * Share management with others while reducing “oops, I clicked Activate” incidents ## Installation #### Quick install from WordPress 1. Go to Plugins Add New. 2. Search for “The Hack Repair Guy’s Plugin Archiver”. 3. Install and Activate. #### Manual installation 1. Upload the hackrepair-plugin-archiver folder to /wp-content/plugins/ 2. Activate the plugin through the Plugins menu #### Quick start 1. Go to Plugins Installed Plugins and click “Archive” under any plugin you want to set aside. 2. Manage archived plugins at Plugins Archived Plugins, or via Settings Plugin Archiver Archived Plugins. 3. Use “Unarchive” to restore a plugin to wp-content/plugins. Use “Delete” to remove it from the archive. ## FAQ ### Why was this plugin created? In my day‑to‑day work cleaning malware from hacked websites, I often saw sites break after a plugin update. Deactivating the problem plugin wasn’t enough—someone would“ Activate” it later and take the site down again. Archiving removes the temptation entirely. ### If I deactivate or remove this plugin, what happens to archived plugins? Nothing changes. Archived plugins remain safely in your archive directories until you unarchive them or move them back manually. ### Are you planning an “unarchive all on plugin deletion” option? No. The Plugin Archiver supports multiple archive directories; since duplicates may exist, it wouldn’t know which version to unarchive. However, there is an “Unarchive All” button on the Archived Plugins tab while the plugin is active. ### Why not just delete plugins? Some plugins remove their settings/data on deletion. Archiving keeps everything intact so you can restore later without reconfiguration. ### Where are archived plugins stored? By default in wp-content/plugins-[name] (e.g., plugins-archive-xxxxxx). You can create and switch archives in Settings Plugin Archiver. ### Does archiving delete plugin data? No. Archiving only moves plugin files. ## Reviews ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c59bf45b0ab2e6bb5a0d81d25a6eabb65172b216b493a11bbd6802b119df7201? s=60&d=retro&r=g) ### 󠀁[Should be built-in to WordPress!](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/should-be-built-in-to-wordpress-3/)󠁿 [Dustin Tantum](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tantumonium/) liyasun 15, 2021 This plug-in does one very important thing very well… it allows you to “Archive” plug-ins that you infrequently use and you don’t want clogging up your plug-ins list. Kudos to the developer for this simple but useful tool! ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fb00864d5bde879ef2c1e2882ecc243abf4924cb9ba2e3ee12ba6cbadc4253cc? s=60&d=retro&r=g) ### 󠀁[Unbeleivable Plugin – Kudos!](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/unbeleivable-plugin-kudos/)󠁿 [Anticosti](https://profiles.wordpress.org/anticosti/) ayidosun 22, 2019 Working with 5.2.2 Great Job Mister Jim Walker !!! Will support you once launched. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4bdd895a573c819e8ae0cfa26f66d5f9987834afdd2cf86d1be9db1ed6575153? s=60&d=retro&r=g) ### 󠀁[Extremely useful.](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/extremely-useful-68/)󠁿 [markonsitewp](https://profiles.wordpress.org/markonsitewp/) woosun 22, 2016 I use the Archiver for easily tracing down plugin conflicts. This is not the only purpose but one of the most useful. I wish it would get an update, but it works flawlessly anyway. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a7b8c047625b3bd1b10d54cefbcd8f30dddf25523702c3fd97abc3a861116f92? s=60&d=retro&r=g) ### 󠀁[Works in 4.4.2](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/works-in-442/)󠁿 [idaryl](https://profiles.wordpress.org/idaryl/) zosun 3, 2016 Just installed in the latest version of WP – works as advertised – so glad I found this ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6e4bcdcb4749bb317b8260ca1bf9504a16088105d056a2b0d8c5cf0a145a688c? s=60&d=retro&r=g) ### 󠀁[a must have tool](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/a-must-have-tool-3/)󠁿 [Mike V. Gorbunov](https://profiles.wordpress.org/michael_zloi/) zosun 3, 2016 That plugin must be a part of wordpress engine. The default WP plugin manager is a piece of crap without these features. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/948c955f1a32539127106c48e311d5d6610c3044ad12ef64a5174f92261c993e? s=60&d=retro&r=g) ### 󠀁[Excellent tool that should be part of your arsenal.](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/excellent-tool-that-should-be-part-of-your-arsenal/)󠁿 [FxMan](https://profiles.wordpress.org/fxman/) zosun 3, 2016 This plugin works exactly as advertised. I use for trying out plugins but I’m not sure if I will keep one. [ Read all 11 reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/reviews/) ## Contributors & Developers “The Hack Repair Guy's Plugin Archiver” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin. Contributors * [ The Hack Repair Guy ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tvcnet/) * [ hackrepair ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/hackrepair/) [Translate “The Hack Repair Guy's Plugin Archiver” into your language.](https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/hackrepair-plugin-archiver) ### Interested in development? [Browse the code](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/), check out the [SVN repository](https://plugins.svn.wordpress.org/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/), or subscribe to the [development log](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/) by [RSS](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/?limit=100&mode=stop_on_copy&format=rss). ## Changelog #### 3.1.1 * Removed all debug logging statements to reduce log clutter in production environments * Debug logs were only active when WP_DEBUG is enabled but were unnecessary for production use #### 3.1.0 * Added PHP 8.3 compatibility by fixing strpos() calls with potential null/false values from realpath() * Improved error handling in get_archived_plugins, bulk_remove, and bulk_restore functions * Removed debug logging statements to reduce log clutter in production environments * No breaking changes; maintains backward compatibility #### 3.0.2 * Security hardening: switched to wp_safe_redirect() and added exit after redirects; fortified path traversal defenses and CSRF protection * Added nonce to “Unarchive All” action * Additional path traversal checks and stricter input validation * Output escaping improvements in admin list table * Readme updates; no breaking changes #### 3.0.1 * Documentation polish and typo fixes; no functional changes #### 3.0 * Major version update: Hardened against path traversal and CSRF vulnerabilities from prior versions (up to 2.0.4) through enhanced validation, nonces, and safer filesystem operations * Improved compatibility with WordPress 6.8 * Added support for custom archive directory management * Enhanced user interface for better user experience * Fixed minor bugs and improved overall performance #### 2.0.3 * 4.8.1 Compatible #### 2.0.1 * Fixed relative includes error on WordPress 4.4 #### 2.0.0 * Randomized default plugin archive directory #### 1.0.9 * Fixed WP Rocket incompatibility. #### 1.0.8 * Fixed iThemes Sync incompatibility. #### 1.0.7 * Updated video in description. #### 1.0.5 * Updated description. #### 1.0.0 * The Hack Repair Guy’s Plugin Archiver is born! ## Meta * Version **3.1.1** * Last updated **7 months ago** * Active installations **300+** * WordPress version ** 6.6 or higher ** * Tested up to **6.8.5** * PHP version ** 7.4 or higher ** * Language * [English (US)](https://wordpress.org/plugins/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/) * Tags * [admin](https://fon.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/admin/)[backup](https://fon.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/backup/) [database](https://fon.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/database/)[performance](https://fon.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/performance/) [security](https://fon.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/security/) * [Advanced View](https://fon.wordpress.org/plugins/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/advanced/) ## Ratings 5 out of 5 stars. * [ 11 5-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/reviews/?filter=5) * [ 0 4-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/reviews/?filter=4) * [ 0 3-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/reviews/?filter=3) * [ 0 2-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/reviews/?filter=2) * [ 0 1-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/reviews/?filter=1) [Your review](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/reviews/#new-post) [See all reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/reviews/) ## Contributors * [ The Hack Repair Guy ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tvcnet/) * [ hackrepair ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/hackrepair/) ## Support Got something to say? Need help? [View support forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/hackrepair-plugin-archiver/) ## Donate Would you like to support the advancement of this plugin? [ Donate to this plugin ](https://hackrepair.com/about/hackrepair-plugin-archiver)