Reset & Factory Reset

Updated Jul 26, 2026

Reset & Factory Reset

Admin UX Cleaner (AUC) provides reset options to help you remove existing configuration and return selected settings, or the entire plugin, to a clean state.

Reset tools are useful when you want to rebuild a configuration, remove settings that are no longer needed, or start over after testing AUC.

Because some reset actions cannot be undone, we recommend creating a backup before proceeding.

Caption: AUC provides reset options for removing existing configuration or returning the plugin to its initial state.

Reset vs. Factory Reset

Reset and Factory Reset serve different purposes.

Reset is intended for clearing selected AUC configuration while keeping the plugin installed and available for continued use.

Factory Reset removes AUC configuration more broadly and returns the plugin to a state similar to a fresh installation.

A simple rule to remember is:

Use Reset when you want to rebuild part of your configuration. Use Factory Reset when you want to start over.

Before using either option, make sure you understand what data will be affected.

Reset Configuration

Reset allows you to remove existing configuration without uninstalling Admin UX Cleaner.

This can be useful when:

  • You want to rebuild an AUC setup.
  • A configuration is no longer appropriate for the website.
  • You have finished testing and want to create the production configuration.
  • You want to remove selected rules and start again.

Caption: Review the affected configuration carefully before confirming a reset.

After a reset, the affected AUC settings return to their default or unconfigured state.

Other WordPress settings and content are not modified by the reset.

What Reset Does Not Affect

AUC reset operations are limited to Admin UX Cleaner configuration.

They do not remove or modify normal WordPress content such as:

  • Posts.
  • Pages.
  • Media.
  • Users.
  • Themes.
  • Other plugins.
  • WordPress roles and capabilities.
  • General WordPress settings unrelated to AUC.

Resetting AUC does not reset your WordPress website.

Factory Reset

Factory Reset is the more complete reset option.

It is intended for situations where you want to remove the current AUC configuration and return the plugin to its initial state.

Caption: Factory Reset removes the current AUC configuration and should be used only when you intend to start over.

Factory Reset may remove configuration associated with features such as:

  • Audience.
  • Menu Cleaner.
  • Page Locks.
  • Notice Cleaner.
  • Dashboard Cleaner.
  • Admin Bar Cleaner.
  • Other AUC preferences and stored configuration.

After Factory Reset, you will need to configure AUC again if you want to continue using it.

Before Using Factory Reset

Factory Reset should be treated as a destructive operation.

Before continuing:

  1. Confirm that you really want to remove the existing configuration.
  2. Create a backup of your AUC settings.
  3. Export the configuration if you may need it again later.
  4. Make sure another administrator is not currently relying on the existing setup.
  5. Review the confirmation message carefully.

If you are only troubleshooting a configuration problem, Factory Reset should normally not be your first option.

Use Preview, Recovery URL, Safe Mode, or a normal configuration reset where appropriate before removing the entire setup.

Create a Backup First

Before making a significant reset, create a backup of your current AUC configuration.

A backup gives you a recovery point if you later decide that you need the previous setup.

A simple workflow is:

Working AUC configuration
        ↓
Create backup
        ↓
Reset or Factory Reset
        ↓
Build or test new configuration

If the new configuration does not work as expected, your previous backup may allow you to restore the known working setup.

See Backup & Restore for details.

Reset Is Not Recovery Mode

Reset and recovery mechanisms solve different problems.

Use Reset when you intentionally want to remove configuration.

Use Recovery URL or Safe Mode when an existing configuration prevents you from accessing or correcting AUC normally.

For example:

Wrong configuration, but AUC is accessible
        ↓
Correct or reset the affected settings

Locked out by an AUC configuration
        ↓
Recovery URL
        ↓
Safe Mode if necessary
        ↓
Correct the configuration

Do not Factory Reset a complete configuration simply because one rule is incorrect.

It is usually better to recover access and correct the specific problem.

Factory Reset Is Not the Same as Uninstalling

Factory Reset returns AUC configuration to its initial state while keeping the plugin installed.

Uninstalling removes the plugin from WordPress and may follow a different data-cleanup process.

If you intend to continue using AUC but want a completely new configuration, Factory Reset is the appropriate option.

If you intend to permanently remove AUC, follow the normal WordPress plugin removal process and any applicable AUC uninstall instructions.

After a Reset

After resetting configuration, review AUC before handing the website back to users.

Depending on what was reset, previous customizations may no longer apply.

For example, users may again see:

  • Previously hidden admin menus.
  • Dashboard widgets.
  • Admin notices.
  • Admin Bar items.

Previously configured Page Locks may also no longer restrict the affected pages.

After a significant reset:

  1. Review your Audience.
  2. Confirm which AUC features are currently configured.
  3. Rebuild any required settings.
  4. Preview the affected roles or users.
  5. Test important workflows.
  6. Create a new backup when the configuration is complete.

After a Factory Reset

After Factory Reset, treat AUC as a new configuration.

A recommended setup order is:

  1. Configure Owner and trusted Manager access.
  2. Configure Audience.
  3. Set up Menu Cleaner.
  4. Add Page Locks where necessary.
  5. Configure Notice Cleaner, Dashboard Cleaner, and Admin Bar Cleaner as needed.
  6. Preview the affected users.
  7. Test important workflows.
  8. Create a backup of the completed configuration.

See Quick Start if you need guidance rebuilding your setup.

Recommended Approach

Use the least destructive option that solves the problem.

If one setting is wrong, correct that setting.

If a section needs to be rebuilt, reset only what is necessary.

If access is blocked, use Recovery URL or Safe Mode.

Use Factory Reset only when you intentionally want to discard the existing AUC configuration and start again.

Before any destructive reset, create a backup whenever possible.

Next Step

Continue with Backup & Restore to learn how to create recovery points for your AUC configuration and restore a previously saved setup when necessary.