Stop It, WordPress!
Whenever we create a fresh installation of WordPress, we get a few default themes that all of us usually delete when we install the Divi theme. But every year during a major WordPress update, we get the next default theme installed automatically, and it is very annoying to delete them all every year on every site. I’m not sure who thought it was a good idea, but I consider it bloatware. So let’s put a stop to it! In this quick tutorial, I will show you how to permanently prevent the new default WordPress theme from installing on your website.
▶️ Please watch the video above to get all the exciting details! 👆
Watch Your Step
Follow The Steps Carefully
This process is easy, but we are going to be editing a very important file on your site. This is quite different from the normal tutorials where you add a CSS snippet. For this, we are dealing with the core of WordPress and will be adding a line of code to the wp-config.php file of your site. So just be careful and follow the instructions closely, and you will be perfectly fine.
File Browser Needed
You will need to access your site’s wp-config.php file, which is located in the root of the site. If you have FTP access and are comfortable with that, great. If you don’t know what that means, I have two suggestions. Either go to your hosting account to the website and look for a “file manager” or go to your WordPress dashboard and install any “file manager” plugin.
Place The Code To Disable New Default WordPress Themes From Appearing
Now you are ready to do this! Here are the steps to take. Be sure to follow along with the video, it will help!
- Browse to the root folder of the site, usually the “public_html” folder.
- Open/edit the wp-config.php file.
- Locate the line that says “/* That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */”
- Place the code given below ABOVE that line.
define('CORE_UPGRADE_SKIP_NEW_BUNDLED', true);
How To Disable New Default WordPress Themes Using Divi Assistant
Here are the simple steps to disable new default WordPress themes using our popular Divi Assistant plugin:
- Install and activate the Divi Assistant plugin
- Click on the Maintenance Helper tab
- Enable the setting
I hope that is easy enough for you! 😉

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
You’re very welcome! 🙂
Wow, I had no idea it was that easy to turn it off! Thank you!
You’re welcome!