How To Add WordPress Themes From The Dashboard

Posted by Jeff

on September 6, 2008

The first thing many new WordPress bloggers want to do is change the theme of their new WordPress blog. Heck some even ask me how it is going to look before I even install WordPress for them and some even want it customized before getting started. But before you start trying to “pimp your blog” I suggest you try several different themes and see how they work and look for a while. Once you are settled on a theme then get that custom header made and installed, and learn how to tweak it over time.

This guide will show you how to use the One Click Plugin Updater to upload new WordPress themes right from the WordPress dashboard. To get started you will need to have the plugin installed and activated, if I setup your blog for you it should be ready to go. If not it will need installed via FTP. It is very important that you do not unzip or decompress any theme files you download. After the plugin is activated click Design in the WordPress dashboard, and then click the browse button to upload a zipped or compressed WordPress theme file from your computer. Make sure that Theme is selected in the Type drop-down box and simply click Install.

If all goes well you will get a Theme Installed message, then you can click Design, Themes again and activate your new theme.

The One Click Plugin Updater also does other things as well; you can upload new plugins the same as themes from with in the Plugins menu. Just click Plugins, Install a Plugin and follow the same steps as explained for themes.

Finally there is one last thing the One Click Plugin Updater plugin does and that is automatically update every outdated plugin with one click. When a plugin has a new version available there will be a notice in the dashboard to update all of them. Just click the notice and follow the directions.

Update!

WordPress has included this option within the core of WordPress as of at least version 2.8 rendering this plugin obsolete. You may even experience issues adding themes and plugins with this plugin activated.

And please don’t ask me what your FTP information is if you are prompted for it! If you have one of those kinds of hosting accounts either get a better one or learn what your settings are.

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WordPress Guide

Tags: WordPress, WordPress Guide, WordPress-plugin

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Sorry but due to the spamming of a few all comments are moderated and will appear when approved and all drive-by comments will be deleted!

Comments

Comment by Affiliate Marketing Help on September 8, 2008 @ 4:07 am

Although I have a fair understanding on how to change my wordpress themes, I still consider myself a newbie because I haven’t been doing this for long.

Now you have me a little bit confused.

You said that once you download a theme one should not unzip it, is this when you are using the plugin only or should this be the standard procedure regardless of whether you are using the plugin or not?

Thanks

Comment by Jeff on September 8, 2008 @ 7:33 am

The plugin will not upload uncompressed or unzipped folders from the WordPress dashboard, it must be zipped.

If you are going to use an FTP client to upload a theme or another plugin then it will need the be unzipped.

Dashboard- zipped
FTP-unzipped

Comment by Affiliate Marketing Help on September 9, 2008 @ 5:18 pm

Thank you Jeff,

Now that is more clear to me, men there is so much to learn that at times it gets a little bit more confusing.

I really appreciate for the feedback.

Comment by Freeware Software Downloads on September 10, 2008 @ 1:36 am

Nice post, but I prefer uploading the old fashion way.

Comment by Wordpress Themes Gallery on September 10, 2008 @ 4:53 am

I think the old fashioned way has it own uses but i don’t mind trying out something new. It would be interesting, but the thing is i dont rely on my skills with wordpress.

Comment by Blog Design on September 10, 2008 @ 7:25 am

Indeed this is one awesome plugin. Not only it makes life simple but helps in adding the themes much faster than usual. It’s indeed one wonderful and informative post.

Comment by aniroy1986 on September 12, 2008 @ 1:44 am

yeah! this would save a lot of time. besides it would be more secure as u dont hav to go to file manager or use ftp again & again & there will be less chance of erasing other files by mistake.

Comment by Garuda on September 13, 2008 @ 9:40 pm

Thank you. It helps me save time the mass installation WP

Comment by busby seo test!!! on January 25, 2009 @ 12:48 pm

OMG, i just knew that there is a such plugin. when adding a new theme, i used to upload it vis ftp, and it sucks

anyway thank you for informing.

Comment by Paul uooga on January 26, 2009 @ 1:51 pm

Perfect work!Keep posting

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Comment by mens rings on May 1, 2009 @ 12:12 am

Themes are awesome because you can make each blog diverse if you have more than one. My favorite themes have been by Revolution.

Comment by Boston Web Design on May 9, 2009 @ 1:57 pm

Thanks, thanks for the easy to understand info. I would love to know where people can find the best free Wordpress templates that are designed for SEO. There is so much garage out there. Thanks again for your information. D

Comment by stephen on July 12, 2009 @ 5:49 pm

Just given this a try as it seems like a good way to save time upgrading plugins and changing themes but I tried upgrading 2 different plugins I had installed. The first one had some error, but it eventually upgraded the second plugin. Just tried it again and it upgraded the first plugin now without any errors. Anyone else had any problems with this plugin or was this just a glitch?

Comment by Rezmelts Resveratrol Review on July 30, 2009 @ 12:41 am

Wordpress is becoming so powerful and easy to use. I think that it is the best platform bar none to build blogs or websites with. Changing a theme within the dashboard has gotten so easy. I tend to update my blog and change the look every few months to keep it fresh.

Comment by freeannualcreditreport on August 24, 2009 @ 3:44 am

Thanks alot I’m usully ftp every to the host and manage it later.

Comment by Roschelle on September 28, 2009 @ 12:43 pm

When I attempt to install a new theme while in the dashboard I’m asked for hostname, username and password. I can’t get any further than that. It always says failed to connect to wordpress:21 ftp or something like that. What do I do?????

Jeff Replied:
September 28th, 2009 at 4:51 pm

You need to find out what your correct FTP settings are from your hosting account.

Drive-By comments will be deleted! Like "Thanks for sharing", "Nice post", or any other text that doesn't contribute to the discussion. If you ask a very specific question about your particular WordPress theme, it will probably be deleted. I can fix your WordPress site but for a price. If you ask a question like "Why don't my blog work right", it will be deleted. If you ask a question about your WordPress site without a leaving a link to it, it will be deleted. The point is to ask questions and or comment on the the actual content of the post, and to please use some common sense. All comments are moderated and will appear when approved. Thank you.