The Media Library lists uploaded images and other files. It provides grid and list views, search, filters, and attachment details.
Steps
- Open Media → Library and search or filter for the file you need.
- Open an item to inspect its filename, dimensions, upload details, and URL.
- Review editable information such as its title, caption, description, or image alternative text.
- Use Add New to upload a file you have permission to publish, keeping file size appropriate for its purpose.
- Before deleting media, check pages, posts, menus, downloads, and externally shared links that may use it.
Check the result
Open the relevant published pages and confirm their media still loads correctly.
Before you continue
The Unattached filter does not prove a file is unused; it may be referenced outside its recorded attachment relationship. Permanent media deletion can break existing URLs. Attachment detail edits may save immediately, and changing library metadata may not update every image block already inserted into content.
Updating a file already in use
A new upload can create a separate attachment and URL. Replace the selected file in the relevant block and inspect other pages, menus, and shared download links that use the old URL. Keep the previous attachment until those uses are accounted for. Check descriptive link text and image alternative text in their actual page context after replacement.
Official documentation: WordPress guide.
Documentation for this guidance: wordpress.org — file block.
