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Remove AIOS from your WordPress site

If you’re experiencing issues with your AIOS setup or need to perform a clean reinstall, you may wish to remove all traces of the plugin from your WordPress site. Follow the steps below carefully to ensure everything is fully deleted, including database entries and configuration files.

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Important: Please back up your site (including your database before making any changes. Removing plugin files and database entries cannot be undone.

1. Delete the plugin from your WordPress dashboard​

# Section titled 1. Delete the plugin from your WordPress dashboard

Start by uninstalling AIOS like any other WordPress plugin:

  • Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins
  • Find All-In-One Security in the list
  • Click Deactivate, then Delete

Note: Uninstalling the plugin does not remove all of its data. Continue with the steps below to complete the process.

2. Remove AIOS database tables​

# Section titled 2. Remove AIOS database tables

AIOS creates its own custom database tables. You can manually remove these via phpMyAdmin or another database management tool.

a. Identify AIOS tables​

# Section titled a. Identify AIOS tables

Look for any tables starting with your WordPress table prefix (commonly wp_) and aiowps, for example:

wp_aiowps_events wp_aiowps_login_activity

b. Delete AIOS tables​

# Section titled b. Delete AIOS tables

You can run the following SQL query to identify relevant options and verify what’s safe to remove:

SELECT * FROM wp_options WHERE option_name LIKE '%aio%'

Replace wp_ with your site’s actual table prefix if it’s different.

Once confirmed, delete all AIOS-related tables and rows.

3. Remove AIOS entries from .htaccess​

# Section titled 3. Remove AIOS entries from .htaccess

Open the .htaccess file located in your WordPress root directory and remove any code between the following lines:

BEGIN All In One WP Security

...AIOS rules here...

END All In One WP Security

4. Check for leftover AIOS code in configuration files​

# Section titled 4. Check for leftover AIOS code in configuration files

Ensure the following files do not contain references to aios-bootstrap.php or other AIOS-related code:

  • wp-config.php
  • .htaccess (double-check)
  • .user.ini

If any lines referencing aios-bootstrap.php exist, safely remove them.

5. Delete leftover plugin files​

# Section titled 5. Delete leftover plugin files

Use FTP or your file manager to remove the following files and folders:

  • /aios-bootstrap.php – Found in the same directory as wp-config.php
  • /wp-content/uploads/aios/firewall-rules/settings.php – Delete this file if it exists

6. Optional: Reinstall AIOS​

# Section titled 6. Optional: Reinstall AIOS

Once everything has been removed, you can [reinstall AIOS free](/docs/aios/getting-startedchange main url to /how-to-install-all-in-one-security/) or premium from scratch.

Note for Premium users: The Premium plugin is an extension of the free version. Make sure you install and activate the free plugin first before uploading and activating the Premium version.

  • Go to Plugins > Add New
  • Search for All-In-One Security
  • Install and activate the plugin
  • Reconfigure your settings as needed