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WPMU-DEV Error Message Removal Plugin

Plugins 29 Comments »

Apparently, one of the plugins I was running had (unknowingly to me) been written by the infamous crew over at WPMU-DEV.  If you haven’t been paying attention they’re the ones who have been going back and forth with pro developer Joost De Valk over an SEO plugin (and whether they stole it or not – you can read the whole story here).  Don’t take any opinions from me; I’m just the passer of information.

At any rate, I logged in to update my plugins and (after doing so) noticed a nice big error message waiting for me.

image

“Please install the latest version of our free Update Notifications plugin which helps you stay up-to-date with the most stable, secure versions of WPMU DEV themes and plugins”

Now, that begs the question: why would I need this plugin when the WordPress database alerts me automatically?  What could that plugin do for me that WordPress couldn’t do automatically?

The problem is, there’s no way to get rid of the stinking alert. There’s no dismiss button, no [X], no dismissal option in the options menu of the plugin.

In short, this message will stare at you unless you get rid of it.

Granted, I’m not going to tell you not to use their plugins… if you’re getting use out of them, that’s fine; I’m a firm believer in using plugins you love.  However, I don’t think it’s right that you should have spam shoved down your throat if you don’t want it.

That said, I propose a compromise.  I’ve written a plugin called “WPMU-DEV Error Message Removal” (I’m a practician when it comes to names).  This plugin will simply remove the error message and let you go about your business.  That’s it.

Download “WPMU-DEV Error Message Removal” Here

I’ll let you guys know when they’ve accepted it into the database :)

Enjoy!

  • creding

    @studionashvegas you may be able to loop through all the notices searching for the wdp_ prefix and kill any that have it, an xtra precaution

    • studionashvegas

      @creding I’m def. NOT a plugin developer… this was just a test for me, but feel free to contribute if you can improve :)

      • creding

        @studionashvegas I’ll see what I can cook up after this weekend, perhaps a little anti-notifier WPECP WordPress Email Carpet Bomb Plugin

  • creding

    @studionashvegas you may be able to loop through all the notices searching for the wdp_ prefix and kill any that have it, an xtra precaution

  • studionashvegas

    @creding I’m def. NOT a plugin developer… this was just a test for me, but feel free to contribute if you can improve :)

  • creding

    @studionashvegas I’ll see what I can cook up after this weekend, perhaps a little anti-notifier WPECP WordPress Email Carpet Bomb Plugin

  • ganbox

    You can also see my article http://goo.gl/9hqm4 – How to remove extremely annoying notification message “Please install the latest version of our free Update Notifications plugin”.

  • http://beedragon.com/ LoriB

    Thank you! Just got frustrated and annoyed enough to go write this plugin and there it was, already written :)

    • studionashvegas

      @LoriB Haha that was my issue too. And it’s a dead-simple plugin to write, so it gave me some practice on writing plugins. I’ll have it in the repository soon.

  • LoriB

    Thank you! Just got frustrated and annoyed enough to go write this plugin and there it was, already written :)

  • studionashvegas

    @LoriB Haha that was my issue too. And it’s a dead-simple plugin to write, so it gave me some practice on writing plugins. I’ll have it in the repository soon.

  • logrady

    I don’t think I’m using any WPMU DEV themes or plugins and I’m still getting the nag screen. Definitely not using Google +1 so I can’t use ganbox’x workaround because I don’t have the wp-content/plugins/google/plusone.php file to edit.

    Does the plugin “WPMU-DEV Error Message Removal” by Mitch also require Google +1 be installed? Thx

  • logrady

    I don’t think I’m using any WPMU DEV themes or plugins and I’m still getting the nag screen. Definitely not using Google +1 so I can’t use ganbox’x workaround because I don’t have the wp-content/plugins/google/plusone.php file to edit.

    Does the plugin “WPMU-DEV Error Message Removal” by Mitch also require Google +1 be installed? Thx

  • bookmeme

    Good work!

    WPMU looks like an extremely expensive and cynical outfit. Thanks for your assistance in getting rid of the message.

  • bookmeme

    Good work!

    WPMU looks like an extremely expensive and cynical outfit. Thanks for your assistance in getting rid of the message.

  • lorijharris

    Thanks! I suspect the plugin is more for tracking where there plugins are installed rather than actually notifying you of anything. That said, I’m not against WPMUdev, just don’t like that tracking bit.

  • lorijharris

    Thanks! I suspect the plugin is more for tracking where their plugins are installed rather than actually notifying you of anything. That said, I’m not against WPMUdev, just don’t like that tracking bit.

  • lorijharris

    Thanks! I suspect the plugin is more for tracking where their plugins are installed rather than actually notifying you of anything. That said, I’m not against WPMUdev, just don’t like that tracking bit.

  • ToddDeHays

    Oddly, thank you for saving me from the service I’m naive to pay for :-)

  • ToddDeHays

    Oddly, thank you for saving me from the service I’m naive to pay for :-)

  • gabearnold

    you da man!

  • gabearnold

    you da man!

  • mStudios

    Thank you!

    For one, I fell for installing that Update Notification plugin (give in, have peace), only to find out that NOW I am getting swamped with another flood of aggressive advertisement, regarding an API key to make the NEXT message disappear plus a whole bunch of unsolicited plugin news and update info and blablabla. As I am running a WP Network install with several domains, it floods across all of them. Gawk.

    I was so annoyed that I deleted BOTH plugins (Google+ and UpdateNotification) – WPMU DEV seems to be the most aggressive dev site ever and giving the small finger feels like the next thing you know is that they are already nibbling on your thighs.

    But, for some odd reason, the message to install the UpdateNotification plugin came BACK! Huh? I glanced through the WP db but could not find how this line can still be showing (AFAIK I have no theme of them).

    Glad I don’t have to hunt down the problem. So, THANKS, your plugin brought my good humor back again.

  • mStudios

    Thank you!

    For one, I fell for installing that Update Notification plugin (give in, have peace), only to find out that NOW I am getting swamped with another flood of aggressive advertisement, regarding an API key to make the NEXT message disappear plus a whole bunch of unsolicited plugin news and update info and blablabla. As I am running a WP Network install with several domains, it floods across all of them. Gawk.

    I was so annoyed that I deleted BOTH plugins (Google+ and UpdateNotification) – WPMU DEV seems to be the most aggressive dev site ever and giving the small finger feels like the next thing you know is that they are already nibbling on your thighs.

    But, for some odd reason, the message to install the UpdateNotification plugin came BACK! Huh? I glanced through the WP db but could not find how this line can still be showing (AFAIK I have no theme of them).

    Glad I don’t have to hunt down the problem. So, THANKS, your plugin brought my good humor back again.

  • Pingback: WPMU-DEV Nag screens – and how to get rid of them

  • http://www.facebook.com/xindca Mike Slemko

    Getting a 404 on your link there..

  • http://www.facebook.com/sandra.r.ross Sandra Ross

    YES PLEASE! I bloody HATE their nagging, it’s put me off every buying another plugin from them. The link is going to a 404 though.

  • 2urn

    Here is an alternative:

    create a kill-wpmu-nag.php file in plugins directory and paste this in:

    http://pastebin.com/EYX3Lqqw

    Then activate your plugin.

  • http://www.facebook.com/daniellevis.keltner Daniel Levis Keltner

    Here’s another copy that worked for me: http://worldyouthnetwork.org/jordan/wp-content/uploads/