Can I rename the wp-admin folder?

Question

Is it possible to rename the wp-admin folder?

I know I could just rename it, but unless it's supported by the code lots of things would break.

If I use a custom folder name, it will make it slightly more secure, security by obscurity and all that.

Answer 1

Unfortunately it's not currently possible nor does there appear to be will to consider it as a modification as you can see by this recent thread on the wp-hackers list and this ticket on trac.

If you'd really like to see this be revisited I'd suggest:

1. Present your case on wp-hackers but be forewarned your use-case better be good and not "security through obscurity" or it will get shot down as above.

2. Present your argument in a trac ticket with the same caveats.

3. Even better, upload a patch to trac that enables your desired functionality. It's much harder to say no when the work has already been done (but of course, they do have a preference for saying "no" a lot more often than they say "yes" so be forewarned.)

Answer 2

No, you cannot rename the folder. The path is hard-coded in multiple locations throughout WordPress' source.

Security through obscurity isn't really security anyway.

Answer 3

If you want to keep subscriber-level users from seeing the wp-admin directory, you can create standalone versions of the login/registration and profile/edit pages in their own directories. Then, you can protect your admin folder via htaccess or IP restriction. (Though if you do this, you should make an exception for the admin-ajax file, as some plugins use it to add, um, AJAX functionality).

This approach gives you the "obscurity" you want (which doesn't really do much, but often makes clients and managers feel better), and also adds some real security by limiting access to the admin. Plus, honestly, a URL that just says "/login" looks a lot nicer than "wp-login.php".

It should go without saying that this doesn't make your site bulletproof. But it's a nice, basic enhancement.

Answer 4

There is actually a very good tutorial on this here: http://pythoughts.com/how-to-hide-that-you-use-wordpress

It explains how to change the folder name, the wp-admin login url, and make sure that login.php redirects to the main site so that people can go there directly.

Answer 5

Take a look at http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/stealth-login/ this may help you out.

Answer 6

No it's not possible to rename the wp-admin folder with any short of code or htaccess hack,

In the past i done the same for a client by performing a complete folder search via Coda (the editor i use) for the tag "wp-admin, wp-content...etc" and i remove the "wp-" from the files.

After that you will be able to install it but:
You have to do the same with the plugins you want to install, You have to update the core manually by clearing the "wp-" tag from the new versions.

In all the ways i don't suggest you to do something like this, leave it as is and try to implement a User Login/Register/Profile page to give your users/clients a better experience.

Cristian from Cozmolabs have write a very good tutorial. You can edit the code a bit and make it run in any WordPress theme.

You can also add a Post form from the frontend so the Admin and Users with the Capabilities to write a post can do it from the frontend.

Here you can see an example and code on how to create a Frontend Post page. Fron-End Post Submission

Also you can take a look for some nice plugins here that do the same with more functionality.

Answer 7

I have used a combination of a modified .htaccess and then a symlink to successfully change the wp-admin url and it has worked fine across many sites with various themes and hundreds of pluggins. No hacking finding/replacing etc. needed.

Answer 8

One way to lock down the administrative control panel is to utilize .htaccess rules. Just add an .htaccess file to the root of the wp-admin directory. After you add this file, just add the following rule to deny all IP addresses and allow only your IP:

http://wp.tutsplus.com/tutorials/10-steps-to-securing-your-wordpress-installation/

AuthUserFile /dev/null
AuthGroupFile /dev/null
AuthName "WordPress Admin Access Control"
AuthType Basic
<LIMIT GET>
order deny,allow
deny from all
whitelist address
allow from <IP ADDRESS HERE>
</LIMIT>

Answer 9

An approach that is officially supported by WordPress is to move the WordPress installation files into a sub-directory, while keeping the site in the root, like so:

Site URL: http://my-blog.com

Admin URL: http://my-blog.com/7nxnkkugrdzm/wp-admin

While this does not give you complete freedom in changing your admin url, it means you can prefix it with anything you like. This is just as good from a security point of view. It also has the benefit of moving all the WordPress installation files into a location unknown to users, so it should be part of any wordpress hardening strategy.

From the WordPress Codex: Giving WordPress Its Own Directory

Also, note that while this security scheme is called Obscure URL, it is not the same thing as security by obscurity. Obscure URL is a perfectly valid security scheme that is just as good as a password, while security by obscurity relies on using secret unproven procedures.

The same caveats apply though as with passwords: Call the custom folder something like 7nxnkkugrdzm, not happy-snappy-admin. Also, make sure your users are aware the admin url is a secret.

Answer 10

Yes. Its possible :)

I make a easiest way for rename /wp-admin/ folder. Please check it.

http://alshedupur.com/fully-secure-your-wordpress-site/

I hope its work for all. No htaccess needed :)