How to Install and Activate a WordPress Theme or Plugin From a Zip File
Posted in: Plugins, Themes, WordPress

How to Install and Activate a WordPress Theme or Plugin From a Zip File

In this article, you will learn simple steps to install and activate a WordPress theme or plugin from a file with the “.zip” extension.

When you purchase a WordPress theme or plugin, you might get its ZIP file.

You can upload this ZIP file on your WordPress to install the theme or plugin on your site.

Installing a WordPress theme from the ZIP file

Here, we assume you have already downloaded the ZIP file of the WordPress theme.

Step 1. Go to your WordPress admin area and navigate to “Appearance” > “Themes”. Here, click on the “Add New Theme” button that you may find at the top beside the heading.

WordPress Themes - Add New Theme
WordPress Themes – Add New Theme

Depending on your WordPress install or managed WordPress hosting, “Add New Theme” button may also be below the themes list.

Step 2. Next, click on the “Upload Theme” button, select the ZIP file of the theme and then click on “Install Now”.

Upload Theme and Install
Upload Theme and Install

Step 3. Finally, you will be able to see and activate this theme from the installed themes list from “Appearance” > “Themes”. Here, you can simply activate the theme.

For example, in the screenshot below, we are activating the PressBook Premium theme.

Activate the Theme
Activate the Theme

Installing a WordPress plugin from the ZIP file

Here, we assume that you have downloaded the ZIP file of the WordPress plugin.

Step 1. In your WordPress admin, go to the menu page “Plugins” > “Add New Plugin”.

WordPress Plugins - Add New Plugin
WordPress Plugins – Add New Plugin

Step 2. Here, click on the “Upload Plugin” button. Then, select the ZIP file of the plugin and click on the “Install Now” button.

Upload Plugin and Install
Upload Plugin and Install

Step 3. Now, you will see this plugin in the “Installed Plugins” list. Go to the menu page “Plugins” > “Installed Plugins” to activate the plugin.

For example, in the below screenshot, we are activating the Login Security Pro plugin.

Activate the Plugin
Activate the Plugin
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