Old Core Files
by Maor Chasen · Security
Also makes 3 other plugins · 860+ installs across the portfolio →
Increase your WordPress security by deleting old core files that exist in the filesystem before hackers exploit them for attacks.
46 health vs 64 average across 997 Security plugins
High removal-risk signals
63/100Maintenance and integrity signals that tend to precede a WordPress.org removal. Not an official status, a heads-up to act.
- Long abandoned. No update in 7+ years — the top precursor to removal once a vulnerability is found.
- Compatibility drift. Tested only up to WordPress 5.2.26, well behind 6.8.
Directory ranking optimization
How it's scored →How well this listing is tuned to rank in WordPress.org search, on the factors an owner controls. Not popularity, optimization.
Under-optimized
Biggest win: Update recency
To rank higher: Last updated 2613 days ago — ship an update; wp.org decays a listing's search weight after ~180 days.
Get the full rank-higher report →Daily downloads
Since 2022-10-05 · 1,426 days · wp.org + Plugin Pulse archive
30-day downloads
Rolling 30-day volume · peaks are release surges
194
now · peak 212
Directory rank vs rivals
wp.org popularity rank over time · higher is better · when a rival's line climbs above yours, they've overtaken you
Update activity
How busy the existing users are, measured as downloads in the last 30 days for every 1,000 active sites. A spike means a new release everyone's pulling; a long, slow decline means an aging user base that updates less.
Release cadence
No release in a yearHow often this plugin actually ships. A steady rhythm is the maintenance signal a single "last updated" date can't show.
0
releases in the last 12 months
7.2y ago
latest release · v1.4
7
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin · 100% run the current release. Green is the current release; a big slice on older versions is a user base that has stopped updating.
Estimated active installs
The public count shows “200+”. Our estimate pins where the real number sits.
Refined from the date this plugin crossed into its current band.
Install history · since 2015-04-01 · 1,394 observations
Estimated value
What this plugin might earn a year, and what it might sell for. Modeled from public signals; we don't see anyone's books.
Est. annual revenue
Est. acquisition value
No paid tier is visible, so we don't put a figure on revenue or sale value: that would be guessing. The install base is a real asset to an acquirer, just not one public data lets us price. A small install base leaves thin data to model from.
Details
Recent reviews
All reviews on wp.org ↗- ★★★★★ AiratTop7.3y ago
The plugin looks good but I had not found any old files in my WP installation. I’m using my WordPress from 2016 year. It may be useful if you are using an older installation. Thanks!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ WPProHelp13.4y ago
Very simple yet useful plugin! A great idea and should be used by all those who bother about WordPress Security. Keep up the good work.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Alessandro Degiusti13.4y ago
excelent plugin, i use it!
Read on wp.org ↗
Behavioral tests
via WP HiveAutomated install-time checks, tested on PHP 7.2.16 · WP 5.3
Languages
via translate.wordpress.orgTranslated into 125 languages, 13 at 90% or more
Plus 101 more locales with partial translations.
Growth timeline
Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow
- 2025-05-12 300+ → 200+ down after 423 days in tier
- 2024-03-15 400+ → 300+ down after 367 days in tier
- 2023-03-14 500+ → 400+ down after 1 days in tier
- 2023-03-13 400+ → 500+ up after 1 days in tier
- 2023-03-12 500+ → 400+ down
Competes with
The plugins that solve the same job, ranked by shared tags then reach, closest match first. The letter on the right is each plugin's health grade (A best, F worst).
-
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security 5M+ installs · 4.7★ · 1 shared tag A -
Hostinger Tools 3M+ installs · 3.6★ · 1 shared tag B -
Really Simple Security – Simple and Performant Security (formerly Really Simple SSL) 3M+ installs · 4.9★ · 1 shared tag A -
Jetpack – WP Security, Backup, Speed, & Growth 3M+ installs · 3.8★ · 1 shared tag A -
Limit Login Attempts Security – Login Security, 2FA, Firewall, Brute Force Prevention 1M+ installs · 4.8★ · 1 shared tag A -
Loginizer 1M+ installs · 4.8★ · 1 shared tag A
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<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/old-core-files" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Old Core Files — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> Old Core Files: 200+ active installs, 5.0★ (3 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-08-31. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/old-core-files