# remove version number in WordPress

To remove the WordPress version number, primarily for security and aesthetic reasons, you can implement one of the following methods:

1. Using Code in your Theme's `functions.php` file:

This method involves adding code snippets to your active theme's `functions.php` file. Remove from Header and RSS Feeds.

Code

``` remove_action('wp_head', 'wp_generator'); add_filter('the_generator', '__return_empty_string'); ```

- **Remove from Scripts and Styles (CSS/JS files):**

Code

``` function remove_version_from_scripts_styles($src) { if (strpos($src, 'ver=')) { $src = remove_query_arg('ver', $src); } return $src; } add_filter('style_loader_src', 'remove_version_from_scripts_styles', 9999); add_filter('script_loader_src', 'remove_version_from_scripts_styles', 9999); ```

Steps to implement:

- Access your WordPress Dashboard. - Navigate to Appearance > Theme File Editor. - Select your active theme and open the `functions.php` file. - Add the desired code snippets to the end of the file. - Click Update File to save your changes.

2. Using a Plugin:

Several plugins are designed to easily remove the WordPress version number without manual coding.

**Security Plugins:**

Many security plugins like Sucuri Security include an option to hide the WordPress version number as part of their hardening features.

**Dedicated Plugins:**

Plugins like "Remove Version Info" or "Meta Generator and Version Info Remover" are specifically designed for this purpose.

Steps to implement (using a plugin):

- Access your WordPress Dashboard. - Navigate to Plugins > Add New. - Search for a suitable plugin (e.g., "Remove Version Info"). - Install and activate the chosen plugin. - Follow the plugin's instructions to configure and hide the WordPress version number. This often involves a simple toggle or checkbox in the plugin's settings.

Verification:

After implementing either method, clear any caching and then view your website's source code (typically by right-clicking on the page and selecting "View Page Source" or using Ctrl+U/Cmd+U). Search for "WordPress" or "ver=" to confirm that the version number is no longer present in the meta generator tag or in the query strings of your CSS and JS files.