Replace Image and Compress One Image (Free)
The media library can replace an image file, make its WebP and AVIF copies, and compress one image on purpose. The controls sit in the attachment details, in the media modal and on the edit screen. This tool is free and is not part of the Pro package.
Replace the file of an image
Open an image and find the “Replace file” control. Press “Choose a new image” and pick a file. The title, alt text and URL stay the same, so the image keeps its place on the site. The sizes and the WebP and AVIF copies are made again. SVG files are accepted when the “SVG uploads” tool is turned on.
Make WebP and AVIF copies for one image
Press “Generate for this image” to make the WebP and AVIF copies of this image and all its sizes at once. The library as a whole is not processed. “Regenerate” makes the copies again. The line under the buttons shows what already exists, for example “Already generated: AVIF 69.4 KB (original 199.2 KB)”.
Compress one image and keep the original
The “Compress” section shows the current file size and dimensions. It is available for JPEG, PNG, WebP and AVIF. GIF and SVG files are not compressed.
Step 1: Choose the settings
Move the “Quality” slider. The default is 82; lower values make a smaller file. Optionally, enter a value in “Largest side, px (optional)”. The longest side of the picture is reduced to that size. The picture is never made larger.
Step 2: Preview the result
Press “Preview”. The plugin makes a test copy and shows the new size and dimensions. Open the preview to see the picture. The original image is not changed, and the test copy is deleted after an hour.
Step 3: Compress
Press “Compress, keep the original”. The button stays disabled until you preview the current settings. If you change a setting, preview again. A result that is not smaller than the current file is refused. Otherwise the first original is kept, and the compressed file takes its place with the same name and address, so links do not change.
Restore or delete the kept original
- “Open the original” shows the kept file.
- “Restore the original” puts the first original back byte for byte and rebuilds the sizes. The plugin asks for confirmation first.
- “Delete the copy” removes the kept original. The compressed file stays. The plugin asks for confirmation first, and the copy cannot be restored afterwards.
Notes
- A PNG compresses without losing quality, so the saving is small. A smaller largest side saves more.
- Several images cannot be compressed at once. The Images tab compresses new uploads.
- Converting a PNG to WebP is not included.
