If you’re using WordPress and want to start fresh, sometimes it’s better to delete all posts and data instead of making a new website from scratch. Whether you’re rebranding your site, fixing errors, or just want a clean start, deleting all WordPress content can help.
In this article, I will guide you step by step on how to erase all your WordPress posts, pages, comments, and other data. Don’t worry — we’ll explain everything in simple language, so even if you’re not very technical, you can follow along easily.
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Why Do People Want to Delete All WordPress Content?
Before we jump into the process, let’s quickly understand why someone would want to remove everything:
🔄 You want to restart your blog or website
🛠️ Testing a new theme or design and want a clean slate
💼 Changing your niche or business type
❌ You installed demo content and now want to remove it
🔐 Concerned about old or duplicate content affecting SEO
No matter your reason, this guide will help you remove your WordPress posts and data properly.
Important: Take a Backup First 📦
Before you delete anything, always take a full backup of your WordPress website.
Why?
Because once data is gone — it’s gone forever unless you have a backup.
Use free plugins like:
UpdraftPlus
All-in-One WP Migration
BackupBuddy
Download the backup file and save it on your computer or Google Drive. Now you’re safe!
Method 1 : Delete Posts and Pages Manually (For Small Sites)
If your site doesn’t have too many posts, you can remove them manually.
Steps to delete all posts:
1. Log in to your WordPress Dashboard
2. Go to Posts > All Posts
3. Click the top checkbox to select all posts
4. From the Bulk Actions menu, choose Move to Trash
5. Click Apply
6. Now go to the Trash tab and click Empty Trash
Done! All your blog posts are gone.
Do the same for:
Pages: Go to Pages > All Pages, select and delete
Comments: Go to Comments, delete them manually
> 📝 Tip: This method is best for small websites. If you have thousands of posts, go with the next method
Method 2: Use a Plugin to Delete All Content (Easy & Fast)
If you want a quick and safe method, use a plugin. It’s the easiest way.
Best plugin: WP Reset
Steps:
1. Go to Plugins > Add New
2. Search for “WP Reset”
3. Install and activate the plugin
4. Go to Tools > WP Reset
5. Scroll down to the bottom
6. Type reset in the confirmation box
7. Click on the Reset Site button
This plugin will delete:
Posts
Pages
Users (except admin)
Comments
Widgets
Themes (optional)
Plugins (optional)
> ⚠️ Warning: It will make your site like brand new — no going back
Method 3: Delete Content with SQL (For Advanced Users)
If you’re a bit technical, you can clean your WordPress content directly from the database.
But be careful — one mistake can break your site.
Steps:
1. Log in to phpMyAdmin via your hosting cPanel
2. Find your WordPress database
3. Run the following SQL query:
TRUNCATE TABLE wp_posts;
TRUNCATE TABLE wp_postmeta;
TRUNCATE TABLE wp_comments;
TRUNCATE TABLE wp_commentmeta;
This will remove:
All blog posts
Custom posts
Metadata
Comments
> 🔒 Always take a database backup before doing this.
Method 4: Fresh WordPress Install (Total Wipe)
If you’re not worried about keeping anything, just delete your WordPress installation and start fresh.
How to do it:
1. Log in to your hosting control panel (like cPanel or Plesk)
2. Go to File Manager or WordPress Manager
3. Delete the WordPress site or installation
4. Install WordPress again (most hosts have 1-click install)
This method is best if you want a brand-new website with no old data.
Don’t Forget Media Files
Even after deleting posts, your media files (images, PDFs, etc.) are still on the server.
How to delete media:
1. Go to Media > Library
2. Switch to List View
3. Select all files and delete
4. Empty the trash
> ⚠️ Note: Some files may still remain in your /wp-content/uploads/ folder. Use FTP or File Manager to clean them manually.
How to Delete Unused Plugins and Themes
Old or unused themes and plugins can take up space and slow down your website.
Delete plugins:
1. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins
2. Deactivate the ones you don’t use
3. Click Delete
Delete themes:
1. Go to Appearance > Themes
2. Activate a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One
3. Delete the rest
Clean Up the Database After Deletion
Once you delete everything, your database may still have junk data. Use a plugin like:
WP-Optimize
Advanced Database Cleaner
These plugins help to:
Clean post revisions
Remove orphan data
Optimize database tables
This keeps your website clean and fast.
Final Words: Should You Delete or Start Fresh?
If you’re feeling stuck between deleting content or starting a new site, here’s some advice:
Conclusion
Deleting all your WordPress posts and data may sound scary, but it’s completely manageable if you follow the right steps.
We explained four easy ways to do it:
1. Manual deletion (good for beginners)
2. WP Reset plugin (fast and effective)
3. SQL query (for advanced users)
4. Fresh WordPress install (total restart)
Just remember: Always backup first. Then choose the method that suits you best.
Got any questions? Leave a comment or reach out — happy to help!
Would you like me to:
Format this as an actual WordPress post (HTML or block editor)?
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Let me know — I’m happy to polish it further!