Forced Auto Updates

By default, WordPress will not apply automatic background updates if it detects a version control system (like Git or Subversion) in the WordPress directory or any of its parent directories.

WordPress does this because it assumes that if version control systems are present, the site owners have their own system in place for managing updates, and WordPress doesn’t want to mess with that.

However, minor updates can contain critical security vulnerability fixes, and those aforementioned site owners may consider the benefit of having minor releases automatically updated by WordPress greater than the risks of waiting too long to apply those updates themselves.

If that sounds like you, then you may wish to consider installing this option-free plugin.

Just activate when you need it.

Perhaps before a “disconnected” vacation when you don’t want to run the risk of a security update being released during it, and having no way of applying said update until your return.

Deactivate it when you don’t.

1. Upload the plugin files to the /wp-content/plugins/forced-auto-updates directory, or install the plugin through the WordPress plugins screen directly.
2. Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ screen in WordPress
3. That is it. There is no settings page.

Installation Instructions

1. Upload the plugin files to the /wp-content/plugins/forced-auto-updates directory, or install the plugin through the WordPress plugins screen directly.
2. Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ screen in WordPress
3. That is it. There is no settings page.

Can’t I get the same effect with a single line of code?

Yes, here it is: add_filter( 'automatic_updates_is_vcs_checkout', '__return_false', 1 );

That’s all this plugin does. Hosting it here just provides another way of applying that line of code, but if you prefer another method, feel free to use that and disregard this plugin.

What if I need more granular control to my auto updates?

There are several plugins you can use instead. For example, Update Control, Advanced Automatic Updates, and Easy Updates Manager.

This plugin will always be option-free and only facilitate automatic background updates of minor WordPress releases.

And keep in mind, despite the word “minor,” they can include critical security vulnerability fixes in WordPress core.

How can I tell if my auto updates will work, before a minor release is pushed?

You can use a plugin by the WordPress team called Background Update Tester.

It will warn you if there’s any reason an automatic background update would not apply.

If my WordPress site always applies automatic background updates, do I need this plugin?

Probably not. You only need it if you’re using version control system like Git or Subversion.

You can use the Background Update Tester plugin to confirm though.

1.0.0

• Initial release