Chris Jean

WordPress has a built-in feature to install themes and plugins by supplying a zip file. Unfortunately, you cannot upgrade a theme or plugin using the same process. Instead, WordPress will say “destination already exists” when trying to upgrade using a zip file and will fail to upgrade the theme or plugin.
Easy Theme and Plugin Upgrades fixes this limitation in WordPress by automatically upgrading the theme or plugin if it already exists.
While upgrading, a backup copy of the old theme or plugin is first created. This allows you to install the old version in case of problems with the new version.
Attention: Version 2.0.0 changed the functionality of the plugin. You are no longer required to select “Yes” from a drop down before the theme or plugin can be upgraded. The need for an upgrade is now detected automatically. So, if you are used to the old functionality of the plugin, do not be concerned about the absence of upgrade details on the theme and plugin upload pages. Simply upload the theme or plugin as if you were installing it, and the plugin will automatically handle upgrading as needed.

Easy Theme and Plugin Upgrades

This is a great plugin, and works exactly as intended.

Works great!


This was a GREAT plugin and I used it for years, but WordPress core does this now, so the plugin is no longer needed.  Thank you for your great work all these years.


No longer needed

Easily upgrade your themes and plugins using zip files without removing the theme or plugin first.

Jon Tejnung

This plugin will give you three alternatives for managing your WordPress updates:
<ul>
<li>Update automatically – This updates WordPress/themes/plugins automatically and sends an email to the site admin when an update has been performed.</li>
<li>Update automatically (no email) – Same as the first alternative, but without the email.</li>
<li>Inform about updates once a week – This will send an email to the admin once a week if there are anything that can be updated.</li>
</ul>
Notice that only plugins/themes that resides in the WordPress 
repository will be updated/informed about.
The plugin has not been tested and is not primarily made for multi site-installations.

Simple Automatic Updates

Activate automatic updates or weekly notifications for the site.

Easy Theme and Plugin Upgrades vs Simple Automatic Updates