Removing what you do not need.
DEACTIVATE VERSUS DELETE
Deactivating stops it running. The files remain.
Deleting removes the files.
WHY DELETE RATHER THAN DEACTIVATE
A deactivated plugin still sits on your server, unupdated.
Vulnerabilities in deactivated plugins have been exploited.
WHAT DELETING MAY LEAVE BEHIND
Database tables Options and settings Uploaded files Scheduled tasks
Most plugins do not clean up fully.
BEFORE DELETING
Back up Export any data you need Check nothing depends on it
CHECKING DEPENDENCY
Some plugins extend others. Removing the base breaks the extension.
AFTER DELETING
Check your site Check for shortcodes now displaying as text
THAT LAST POINT
Content containing a removed plugin's shortcodes shows raw text.
Search for them and remove them.
