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v 1.2.0
Last updated: 09/03/2026

Disable Dashboard Widgets

Declutter the dashboard home by turning off widgets nobody uses. Switched-off widgets stay out of Screen Options and do not load extra scripts in the background.

Overview

Disable Dashboard Widgets lets you remove dashboard widgets completely. Unlike hiding them via Screen Options, disabled widgets don’t load at all—no PHP, no JavaScript, no API calls. Choose which widgets to disable: Welcome to
WordPress, Activity, At a Glance, Quick Draft, Site Health, WordPress Events and News, PHP Update Required, Recent Comments, Recent Drafts. Or disable all widgets at once. When “Disable All” is used, WP PowerSuite’s Storage Monitor and Content Report widgets are preserved if those modules are enabled. A cleaner, faster dashboard.

Who is this for?
Administrators who want a minimal dashboard, faster load times, or a streamlined experience for clients who don't need default widgets.

Features

Individual Widget Control
Disable any of: Welcome to WordPress, Activity, At a Glance, Quick Draft, Site Health, WordPress Events and News, PHP Update Required, Recent Comments, Recent Drafts.
Disable All
Remove every dashboard widget with one click. When Storage Monitor or Content Report modules are enabled, those widgets are preserved.
No Assets Loaded
Disabled widgets are removed before they're added. They don't load scripts, styles, or make API calls. Faster dashboard.
Welcome Panel
Optionally hide the "Welcome to WordPress" panel. Disables the welcome panel and sets the user preference so it doesn't reappear.

How It Works

1
Enable the Module
Go to WP PowerSuite, find "Disable Dashboard Widgets," and click the Enable button.
2
Configure Settings
Open the module settings. Check the widgets you want to disable. Or check "Disable All Widgets" to remove everything (except Storage Monitor and Content Report if enabled).
3
Save
Settings save automatically. Visit the dashboard to see the changes.
Performance Note
Disabling widgets reduces dashboard load. Fewer widgets mean less PHP execution, fewer scripts/styles, and no API calls for removed widgets (e.g. WordPress Events and News). Noticeable on slower hosts.

Installation & Activation

1
Install WP PowerSuite
Make sure the WP PowerSuite plugin is installed and activated on your site.
2
Enable the Module
Go to the WP PowerSuite menu, find "Disable Dashboard Widgets" in the module list, and click the Enable button.
3
Configure Settings
Open the module settings. Select which widgets to disable. Save.
Requirements
PHP 8.1 or higher WordPress 6.0 or higher Permission to manage options (Administrator)

Use Cases

  • MinimalDashboard
    Minimal dashboard for power users
  • Performance
    Faster dashboard for clients on slow hosts
  • EventRemoval
    Remove WordPress Events and News (no external API calls)
  • NoticeHiding
    Hide Site Health or PHP Update nag for clients
  • DashboardCleanup
    Clean dashboard for training or onboarding

Frequently Asked Questions

Troubleshooting

  • Widget still appears
    Ensure the module is enabled and you saved the settings. Refresh the dashboard. If you use "Disable All," check that the widget isn't Storage Monitor or Content Report (those are preserved when their modules are on).
  • I disabled Site Health but need it sometimes
    Uncheck it in the module settings to temporarily re-enable. Or use Screen Options for temporary hiding without disabling.