Title: Unused Media Usage Audit by CodeCaste Author: CodeCaste Published: September 24, 2026 Last modified: September 24, 2026 --- Search plugins ![](https://ps.w.org/codecaste-unused-media-usage-audit/assets/icon-256x256.png? rev=3711056) # Unused Media Usage Audit by CodeCaste By [CodeCaste](https://profiles.wordpress.org/codecaste/) [Download](https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/codecaste-unused-media-usage-audit.1.3.1.zip) * [Details](https://wordpress.org/plugins/codecaste-unused-media-usage-audit/#description) * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/plugins/codecaste-unused-media-usage-audit/#reviews) * [Installation](https://wordpress.org/plugins/codecaste-unused-media-usage-audit/#installation) * [Development](https://wordpress.org/plugins/codecaste-unused-media-usage-audit/#developers) [Support](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/codecaste-unused-media-usage-audit/) ## Description The plugin scans WordPress data, builds a reference index, and lists attachments for which no supported reference was found. Supported sources include: * Post content, blocks, shortcodes, lazy-load data, and `srcset` * Post meta, custom fields, ACF, and SCF data * Elementor data * WooCommerce product images and galleries * Options, widgets, term meta, and user meta * Active/ parent theme PHP, CSS, and JavaScript files * Eligible custom database tables * Developer-registered custom scanners Dashboard: **Tools -> Unused Media** ### Safety * No automatic deletion. * Results are **Potentially Unused**, not guaranteed unused. * A final reference check runs before deletion. * Full scans run in background batches. * Targeted re-scans can run after site changes. ### How It Works After activation, a background scan starts automatically. The plugin indexes detected references and classifies attachments as **In Use** or **Potentially Unused**. The dashboard shows scan status, logs, scan time, and results. Use **Run Full Scan** for a complete rescan. If WP-Cron is unreliable, configure server cron for `wp-cron.php` or keep the dashboard open during scanning. ### Results The dashboard includes search, filtering, list/grid views, attachment details, and Media Library links. You can delete individual files, selected files, or all files matching the current filters. WordPress’s standard attachment deletion API is used. ### Limitations Detection is not guaranteed for: * Dynamically generated URLs * External APIs or remote services * Some CDN/offloaded media * Plugin source files and unsupported filesystem locations * Unsupported custom database formats * Some numeric attachment IDs * WordPress Multisite, which is not currently verified Always review files before deleting them, especially on sites using CDNs, offloaded media, or third-party integrations. ### Developer Extension Developers can add custom scanners using the media_cleanup_scout_additional_reference_sources filter. ### Data The plugin stores its scan index, results, logs, settings, and scan state in plugin- managed data. Deactivation clears scan data and scheduled jobs. Uninstalling removes plugin-managed data and settings. ## Screenshots [⌊Dashboard showing scan status, media counts, and potentially unused files ready for review.⌉⌊Dashboard showing scan status, media counts, and potentially unused files ready for review.⌉[ Dashboard showing scan status, media counts, and potentially unused files ready for review. ## Installation 1. Upload the plugin to `/wp-content/plugins/`. 2. Activate it from **Plugins**. 3. Open **Tools -> Unused Media**. 4. Review the results after the first scan. ## FAQ ### Is a file guaranteed to be unused? No. Dynamic or unsupported references may not be detected. ### Does it support ACF, SCF, Elementor, and WooCommerce? Yes, supported media references from these systems are scanned. ### Does it scan theme files? Yes. The active theme and applicable parent theme are checked for literal uploads- path references. ### Does it scan custom database tables? Yes, when detectable local uploads-path references are present in supported tables. ### What if WP-Cron is disabled? Use a server cron job or keep the dashboard open during the scan. ### Can a used file appear as unused? Yes. This can happen with dynamic PHP/JavaScript URLs, external services, CDN/offloaded media, or unsupported database formats. ## Reviews There are no reviews for this plugin. ## Contributors & Developers “Unused Media Usage Audit by CodeCaste” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin. Contributors * [ CodeCaste ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/codecaste/) [Translate “Unused Media Usage Audit by CodeCaste” into your language.](https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/codecaste-unused-media-usage-audit) ### Interested in development? [Browse the code](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/codecaste-unused-media-usage-audit/), check out the [SVN repository](https://plugins.svn.wordpress.org/codecaste-unused-media-usage-audit/), or subscribe to the [development log](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/codecaste-unused-media-usage-audit/) by [RSS](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/codecaste-unused-media-usage-audit/?limit=100&mode=stop_on_copy&format=rss). ## Changelog #### 1.3.1 * Updated plugin URI, version, and documentation. #### 1.3.0 * Rebranded to **Unused Media Usage Audit by CodeCaste**. * Updated slug/text domain and internal prefixes. * Fresh scan/settings state after upgrade. #### 1.2.3 * Improved WordPress.org compliance and settings migration. * Moved dashboard to **Tools -> Unused Media**. #### 1.2.2 * Added scan-recency and WP-Cron notices. * Added WooCommerce gallery change detection. #### 1.2.0 * Improved security, performance, concurrency, and scan coverage. * Added custom scanner support and cleanup improvements. #### 1.1.0 * Initial public release. ## Meta * Version **1.3.1** * Last updated **4 days ago** * Active installations **Fewer than 10** * WordPress version ** 5.6 or higher ** * Tested up to **7.1.2** * PHP version ** 7.4 or higher ** * Tags * [audit](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/audit/)[cleanup](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/cleanup/) [images](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/images/)[media](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/media/) [unused media](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/unused-media/) * [Advanced View](https://wordpress.org/plugins/codecaste-unused-media-usage-audit/advanced/) ## Ratings No reviews have been submitted yet. [Your review](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/codecaste-unused-media-usage-audit/reviews/#new-post) [See all reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/codecaste-unused-media-usage-audit/reviews/) ## Contributors * [ CodeCaste ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/codecaste/) ## Support Got something to say? Need help? [View support forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/codecaste-unused-media-usage-audit/)