Classic Visual Editor Options

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Restores the “Disable the visual editor” setting to user profiles.

Author:DVeb (profile at wordpress.org)
WordPress version required:5.0
WordPress version tested:6.9
Plugin version:1.0.2
Added to WordPress repository:30-05-2025
Last updated:03-12-2025
Rating, %:100
Rated by:4
Plugin URI:
Total downloads:1 277
Active installs:300+
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Dear and respected members of the WordPress community, especially those who still believe that “Code is Poetry” — believe it or not, there are people like me for whom this removed feature still matters.

This plugin restores the classic
“Visual Editor Options”
section to the user profile screen.

It’s a clean, dependable tweak — made for those who prefer writing in plain text, without distraction, without visual clutter.

No extra settings. No noise. Just the option that once was.

Perfect for:

  • writers who live in the HTML tab,
  • developers who avoid visual editors,
  • or anyone who simply misses that checkbox.

It works with both the Classic and Block editors,
and doesn’t require any additional plugins.

Just install, and enjoy the silence of plain text.

How It Works

  1. A checkbox labeled “Disable the visual editor when writing” is added to each user’s profile page.
  2. When checked, the plugin disables visual editing features and saves the preference (rich_editing = false).
  3. Both TinyMCE and Gutenberg are bypassed — only the plain text editor is shown.

Additional behaviors (enabled by default):

  • Prevents loading of unnecessary editor scripts and styles for users who opt out.
  • Removes visual editor metaboxes when not needed.
  • Displays a dismissible admin notice if visual editing is disabled but the plugin is no longer active.

Compatibility

  • Works with both Classic and Block (Gutenberg) editors.
  • Compatible with the Genesis Framework and most modern themes.
  • Functions independently — does not require the Classic Editor plugin.
  • Honors native WordPress capabilities like user_can_richedit and use_block_editor_for_post.

Translations

This plugin is translation-ready.
Currently available in:

  • Japanese (thanks to @kimipooh)

If you would like to contribute a translation, please visit:
https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/classic-visual-editor-options/

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