Why You Need It
The default WordPress Media Library permanently deletes files when you click ‘Delete’. Media Trash adds a safety net: deleted files go to trash and can be restored.
How to Enable this Feature
Step 1: Navigate to Settings
Click into the Classic Monks plugin settings, then the Performance tab, Media Enhancements subtab.
Step 2: Enable the Feature
Toggle on the feature.
Step 3: Save and Test
Click Save Changes. Test on the frontend.
Common Use Cases
Accidental deletion prevention
When editing media, accidental deletions can be costly. Media Trash provides a 30-day recovery window.
Team collaboration
When multiple admins manage the Media Library, Media Trash prevents one person from accidentally deleting another’s files.
Before you enable this feature
- Test on staging first to verify no conflicts with your theme or other plugins
- Check dependent plugins that may rely on the functionality being modified
- Monitor after enabling for any unexpected behavior on the frontend
How it works under the feature
This feature runs during the WordPress initialization phase. When enabled, its PHP code registers hooks that modify specific WordPress behaviors. The changes are non-destructive and reversible.
No database schema changes are made. The feature state is stored as a boolean value in the wp_options table and can be toggled at any time from the admin settings.