Backup & Settings
Update URLs PRO Settings: Page Size, Results, Gzip
Running a search and replace on a large database can time out, exhaust memory, or bury you in change details. Update URLs PRO exposes three settings to control that trade-off: how many rows it processes per batch, how many change details it tracks, and whether backups are compressed. They live on the plugin's Settings screen and take effect only in PRO.
PRO features
Max Page Size, Max Results, and Backup Compression are active only in Update URLs PRO. In the free version these fields are not functional. The Delete Data on Uninstall option on the same screen is available in the free version.
Where these settings live
Go to Update URLS → Settings and open the General tab. The three PRO tuning options below appear there alongside the free Delete Data on Uninstall option. (The Email Digest tab on the same screen is a separate, free feature.)
The PRO settings
| Setting | Default | Range | What it controls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Page Size | 20,000 | 1,000 – 50,000 (step 1,000) | Rows processed per batch during a run |
| Max Results | 60 | 20 – 1,000 (step 20) | How many change details are tracked per table |
| Backup Compression | Off | On / off | Gzip-compresses backup files |
Max Page Size
Max Page Size sets how many rows Update URLs works through in a single batch. The default is 20,000 rows, adjustable from 1,000 to 50,000.
- Lower it on weaker or memory-limited servers to avoid timeouts and out-of-memory errors — each batch does less work.
- Raise it on a capable server to finish large runs in fewer batches.
Values outside the range are clamped to 1,000–50,000.
Max Results
Max Results limits how many individual change details are recorded per table for display. The default is 60, adjustable from 20 to 1,000.
- Higher values give a deeper audit trail of what changed, at the cost of more memory.
- Lower values keep memory use down on large runs.
This limit affects the change details shown; it does not cap what the undo journal stores. Values are clamped to 20–1,000.
Backup Compression
Backup Compression turns on gzip for the Backup & Import tool. When enabled, backups are written as compressed .sql.gz files instead of plain .sql, producing smaller downloads that are quicker to store and transfer. The importer accepts both .sql and .sql.gz, so a compressed backup restores directly.
How to save these settings
- Go to Update URLS → Settings.
- On the General tab, adjust the Max Page Size and Max Results sliders and tick or clear Backup Compression.
- Click Save Settings.
Conclusion
These three settings let you match Update URLs PRO to your server and your database size: lower Max Page Size for fragile hosts, tune Max Results to balance audit depth against memory, and enable Backup Compression for smaller backups. If a large run still struggles, pair a smaller page size with a dry run to preview before committing, or see troubleshooting.
FAQs
What is Max Page Size and when should I change it?
Max Page Size is the number of database rows Update URLs PRO processes in each batch, defaulting to 20,000 (range 1,000–50,000). Lower it if runs time out or hit memory limits on a constrained server, since smaller batches do less work at once. Raise it on a capable server to complete large runs in fewer batches. Values outside the range are clamped.
What does Max Results limit?
Max Results caps how many change details are tracked per table for display, defaulting to 60 (range 20–1,000). A higher value gives a more detailed record of what changed but uses more memory; a lower value conserves memory on large operations. It affects the reported detail only — it does not limit what the PRO undo journal stores for rolling a run back.
Where do I turn on gzip backup compression?
Open Update URLS → Settings → General, enable Backup Compression, and click Save Settings. From then on, the PRO Backup & Import tool writes compressed .sql.gz files instead of plain .sql, which are smaller to download and store. The importer reads both formats, so a gzip-compressed backup can be restored without decompressing it first.
Are these settings available in the free version?
No. Max Page Size, Max Results, and Backup Compression only take effect in Update URLs PRO, because they control the PRO background engine and backup tool. The free version's search and replace runs whole-table without these controls. The Delete Data on Uninstall option on the same Settings screen is available in both the free and PRO versions.