Can I replace my Images Files via FTP?

  • Hi there,
    I want to download my entire images file via ftp, batch process these to reduce their file size then replace the images file via ftp – all with exact same file names etc.

    Will this work? Or will I delete them all somehow? Will the image urls all stay the same? Will the files keep the same alt tags etc?

    Sadly when I set up my site I didn’t realize how much images would slow it down.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

  • You can download your images and re-upload them to the same location with the same filename and they will work correctly.

    I do not condone this or suggest that you do this, but what I stated above is accurate.

    Many people would prefer that you use a plugin that would rebuild all of your thumbnails in an optimized fashion, rather than do what you are proposing.

    I would suggest that you do an entire site backup before even attempting this at all, since the risk factor is high. That way you can easily rollback to where your site is now prior to attempting any image optimization.

    I would caution you that ALL media files are uploaded into the media directories. If you site has PDFs, CSVs or Videos that have been uploaded, this could have disaster written all over it.

    Please consider this carefully, prior to taking this action.

    Have you tried optimizing your images using Smush or a similar plugin? Have you tried distributed caching of images for example using the CloudFlare free tier (which I recommend), or the Jetpack plugin (some folks love it, too heavy for me).

    Thread Starter piwakawakavalley

    (@piwakawakavalley)

    Yeah, I have free smush, but I really don’t think it is doing a lot. I have the ability to really optimise and add a watermark with irfanveiw, but it is the bulk uploading and replacing I am really worried about.

    Thread Starter piwakawakavalley

    (@piwakawakavalley)

    Bob Thank you. I will try it with one or two files first and make sure I dont break everything!Also will back up first.
    Thanks

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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