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Free Plugin by The Hack Repair Guy v3.1.1

The Hack Repair Guy's Plugin Archiver

Disable Plugins Without Deleting — Archive and Restore in One Click

The Hack Repair Guy's Plugin Archiver

The facts

Rating
5★ from 11
Active installs
300+
Price
Free
Last updated
11 Sep 2025
Added
Aug 2015
Requires WP
6.6
Tested up to
WP 6.8.8
Requires PHP
7.4
Downloads
8,932

Our analysis

AI-assisted

The Hack Repair Guy's Plugin Archiver is a WordPress plugin that allows you to archive plugins with a single click. When archived, plugins are moved out of the main plugins directory, making them hidden from your Plugins list and preventing accidental re-activation.

This plugin is suitable for users who want to manage their plugins more effectively, whether for testing different sets, keeping rarely used tools out of sight, or quarantining problematic plugins. It offers bulk actions and multiple archive directories for easier management.

Best for: This plugin is best for WordPress users who need to manage multiple plugins efficiently.

What it does well

  • One-click archiving of plugins
  • Supports bulk archive, unarchive, and delete actions
  • Non-destructive archiving preserves plugin settings and data
  • Allows management of multiple archive directories
  • Uses the built-in WordPress Filesystem API

Where it falls short

  • Limited information on advanced features or support

Verdict

The Hack Repair Guy's Plugin Archiver provides a straightforward solution for managing plugins, especially for those who frequently test or use plugins intermittently.

From the developer

The Hack Repair Guy's own description of The Hack Repair Guy's Plugin Archiver, lightly tidied.

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

Read the full description on the official page →

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