Imagine WordPress is like a big LEGO house. Plugins are like extra LEGO pieces that add cool features to your house—maybe a swimming pool (gallery plugin) or a secret passage (security plugin).
But not all plugins are the same. Some are special because WordPress treats them differently. These are called Must-Use Plugins and Drop-Ins.
Standard Plugins (Regular Plugins)
What they are: These are the normal plugins you install from the WordPress Plugin Directory or upload manually.
Where they live: Inside the wp-content/plugins/ folder.
How they work:
- You can activate or deactivate them anytime from the WordPress dashboard.
- They add extra features like contact forms, SEO tools, or security checks.
- You can update them regularly when new versions come out.
Example: If you want to add a contact form to your website, you install a plugin like “Contact Form 7” from the WordPress plugin page.
Must-Use (MU) Plugins
What they are: These are plugins that WordPress must use no matter what. They are always turned on, and you can’t deactivate them from the normal plugins page.
Where they live: Inside a special folder called /mu-plugins/ (inside the wp-content folder).
Why they’re different:
- They don’t show up on the normal plugins list.
- You don’t need to activate them; they just work.
- Only a developer or someone with access to the website’s files can remove them.
Example: If a website owner always wants a security feature running, they can add it as an MU plugin so it can’t be accidentally turned off.
Drop-In Plugins
What they are: These are like little helpers that replace or improve certain built-in WordPress features.
Where they live: They go straight inside the wp-content folder (not in the normal plugins folder).
Why they’re different:
- They don’t act like regular plugins.
- They replace certain parts of WordPress instead of adding new features.
Example: A Drop-In plugin could change how the database is stored or how WordPress caches (saves) pages to load faster.
So, What’s the Difference?
| Type | Where it Lives | Can You Turn It Off? | What It Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Plugin | wp-content/plugins/ | Yes, from the dashboard | Adds new features |
| Must-Use Plugin | wp-content/mu-plugins/ | No, unless removed from files | Always runs, can’t be disabled |
| Drop-In Plugin | wp-content/ | No, unless removed from files | Replaces core WordPress functions |
Why Should You Care?
If you’re using WordPress for blogging, you don’t need to worry about these. But if you’re managing a website, knowing about MU Plugins and Drop-Ins helps you understand why some plugins are always on or why certain features behave differently.
