Disable Dashboard Widgets Without Plugin to declutter your WordPress admin area and focus on what matters. Here’s how to do it with a quick tweak.
Step 1: Add the Dashboard Widgets Disable Code
Add this to your child theme’s functions.php:
// Remove default dashboard widgets
function qdt_remove_dashboard_widgets() {
remove_meta_box(‘dashboard_quick_press’, ‘dashboard’, ‘side’);
remove_meta_box(‘dashboard_recent_drafts’, ‘dashboard’, ‘side’);
remove_meta_box(‘dashboard_primary’, ‘dashboard’, ‘side’);
remove_meta_box(‘dashboard_secondary’, ‘dashboard’, ‘side’);
}
add_action(‘wp_dashboard_setup’, ‘qdt_remove_dashboard_widgets’);
How It Works
This function unregisters default Dashboard widgets like Quick Draft, Recent Drafts, and WordPress News from your admin panel.
Why Disable Dashboard Widgets Without Plugin?
Cleaning up unused Dashboard widgets makes your admin area faster and less distracting, helping you focus on real tasks.
Common Mistake
Don’t remove widgets you actually use, like At a Glance or Activity, unless you’re sure you don’t need them.
Pro Tip
Add this tweak to your child theme’s functions.php so it stays active after theme updates.
Related Snippet
If you liked this, check out my guide on disabling the WLW Manifest link without a plugin in WordPress.