Getting Started
How to Install Update URLS in WordPress
Installing Update URLS takes a minute: upload the plugin zip or install it straight from the WordPress plugin directory, then activate it. Once active, the plugin adds a top-level Update URLS menu to your dashboard where you run search and replace. Use either method below.
Option 1: Upload the plugin zip
- Download the plugin zip from Update URLS on WordPress.org.
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New.
- Click Upload Plugin at the top of the screen.
- Choose the downloaded
update-urls.zipfile and click Install Now. - When the upload finishes, click Activate Plugin.
Option 2: Install from the plugin directory
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New.
- Search for Update URLS using the search box.
- Find the plugin in the results and click Install Now.
- When the install finishes, click Activate Plugin.
Find the plugin after activation
After activation, a top-level Update URLS menu appears in the WordPress admin sidebar. Its default screen is Search & Replace, and the submenus include History, Tools, Other Products, and Settings. Open Update URLS → Search & Replace to run your first find-and-replace.
Free vs PRO
Update URLS ships as a free plugin with a single PRO upgrade. The free version covers URL search and replace across core content. Table selection, dry-run preview, undo/history, and database backup are PRO features. See Search and Replace (Free) to get started.
Requirements
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| WordPress | 5.0.0 or higher |
| PHP | 5.6 or higher |
| Tested up to | WordPress 7.1 |
| Current version | 1.5.2 |
Conclusion
Once Update URLS is installed and activated, open Update URLS → Search & Replace to replace old URLs or text across your site. If you are preparing a domain change or migration, read How to do search and replace text in WordPress next.
FAQs
Where do I find Update URLS after installing it?
After you activate the plugin, a top-level Update URLS menu appears in the WordPress admin sidebar. Click it to open the Search & Replace screen, which is the default page. The same menu also holds the History, Tools, Other Products, and Settings submenus.
Do I need to configure anything before using Update URLS?
No. Update URLS works immediately after activation with no required setup. Open Update URLS → Search & Replace, enter your old and new URLs, choose where to update, and run the replacement. Before running, take a full site backup, because free-version changes are applied directly to the database and cannot be undone.
What WordPress and PHP versions does Update URLS require?
Update URLS requires WordPress 5.0.0 or higher and PHP 5.6 or higher, and it is tested up to WordPress 7.1. The current version is 1.5.2. If your host runs an older PHP release, update it before installing, since older versions are not supported.
Is Update URLS free?
Yes. The core plugin is free and handles URL search and replace across posts, excerpts, attachments, links, custom fields, and GUIDs. A PRO upgrade adds selecting specific database tables, a dry-run preview, case-insensitive matching, one-click undo with history, saved profiles, and database backup and import.