Overwrite Uploads
Overwrite Uploads
Description
By default WordPress doesn’t overwrite an existing file if you upload a new one with the same name and directory. Instead, it appends a number to the end of the filename in order to make it unique, e.g., filename.jpg becomes filename1.jpg.
That isn’t always the desired behavior, so this plugin makes it so that any files uploaded will automatically overwrite existing files in the same folder, rather than creating a second file with a unique name. It will not overwrite files in other folders.
After activating the plugin, you won’t need to do anything else, it’ll start working automatically. If you run into problems, please check the FAQ and existing support forum posts before opening a new support request.
Installation
For help installing this (or any other) WordPress plugin, please read the Managing Plugins article on the Codex.
Once the plugin is installed and activated, it will start to work automatically.
Faq
WordPress allows files to have the same name if they’re not in the same directory. So, wp-content/uploads/2013/11/pizza.jpg can live alongside wp-content/uploads/2013/12/pizza.jpg. This plugin only deletes existing files if they are in the same folder that the new file will be placed in.
Also, only Editor and Administrator accounts can overwrite the uploads of other users. You can customize this behavior using the ovup_can_overwrite_upload filter.
I do this as a way to give back to the WordPress community, so I don’t want to take any donations, but if you’d like to give something I’d encourage you to make a microloan with Kiva.
I’m happy to fix reproducible bugs, but I don’t have time to help you customize the plugin to fit your specific needs.
Reviews
Thank you
By 
Still kinda working.
By 
Was a great plugin but doesn't work any more
By 
Doesn't work
By 
This plugin seems incompatible with the current version of WordPress. I installed it and tried to upload an image to overwrite another one...and there was no change. WordPress preserved the initial upload just as it normally does.
Clear as mud
By 
Couldn't find any instructions on how this is supposed to work nor any trace of it inside admin after install and activation.
Changelog
1.2.2 (2017-04-01)
- [SECURITY] Fix a bug where Author accounts could overwrite media created by editors and administrators. If desired, the previous behavior can be restored using the
ovup_can_overwrite_uploadfilter. Props phycox69.
1.2 (2017-04-01)
- [NEW] Added support for sideloaded images (typically done by plugins), in addition to regular manual uploads. Props wayneallen-1
- [FIX] Filenames with spaces and other non-standard characters are now overwritten. Props ascottmccauley
1.1 (2013-12-14)
- [NEW] Delete existing attachments before a new one is uploaded. This avoids the need to modify WordPress core files.
- [UPDATE] General code cleanup and modernization
- [UPDATE] Removed unnecessary debugging method, activation logic and admin notices support
- [UPDATE] Moved requirements check into bootstrap script
- [UPDATE] Moved overwrite-uploads.php into classes directory
- [UPDATE] Fixed improperly capitalized overwriteUploads class name
1.0.2
- Fixed bug where old Media Library entries weren’t removed if the ‘Organize my uploads into year and month folders’ setting was enabled.
- Setting removed because it’s unnecessary. Plugin will overwrite uploads if activated, and won’t if it isn’t.
1.0.1
- Added network-wide activation for WPMS blogs
1.0
- Initial release