WP User Defaults
With this plugin, a WordPress site Administrator can set some default options for new user accounts. All new users registered on the system will inherit these settings. The following user defaults can be set:
Consider an alternative
WP User Defaults shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 10+ sites and was last updated 17 years ago, and scores 23/100 on our health check.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 16 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 2.9 (latest is 7.1)
How does it stack up?
Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & support
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where WP User Defaults stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| default | >100 |
| defaults | >100 |
| user | >100 |
| users | >100 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
About WP User Defaults
From the official readme · v1.1Description
With this plugin, a WordPress site Administrator can set some default options for new user accounts. All new users registered on the system will inherit these settings. The following user defaults can be set:
- Enable/Disable Rich Text Editor
- Enable/Disable Comment Keyboard Shortcuts
- Administrative Interface Color
- Public Display Name Format
New In This Version
- WordPress 2.9 Compatibility
- Moved settings page to “Users” submenu
NOTE: This plugin only affects new user accounts (created after the plugin’s activation). Existing user accounts will be unmodified.
Installation
- Upload
wp-user-defaults.phpto the/wp-content/plugins/directory - Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress
- Configure default user settings via the new “Default Settings” page in the “Users” menu
For developers
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Best WP User Defaults alternatives
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FAQ
WP User Defaults: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 1, 2026
Is WP User Defaults free?
Yes. WP User Defaults is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is WP User Defaults safe to use in 2026?
WP User Defaults shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 10+ sites and was last updated 17 years ago, and scores 23/100 on our health check.
How many websites use WP User Defaults?
WP User Defaults is active on 10+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 2,934 times since it launched in April 2009. It was downloaded 71 times in the last 30 days.
Does WP User Defaults work with WordPress 7.1?
WP User Defaults is officially tested up to WordPress 2.9.2, while the latest release is 7.1.2. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.
When was WP User Defaults last updated?
The latest version, 1.1, was released on December 21, 2009 (17 years ago).
Who makes WP User Defaults?
WP User Defaults is developed and maintained by sant0sk1.
What are the best alternatives to WP User Defaults?
The most popular alternatives to WP User Defaults are Rename default post Labels (500+ installs), Default Image Settings (500+ installs) and Default Attributes for WooC… (400+ installs).
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