When you activate WordPress, you add a package of files to your web site that allows you to use the WordPress tools to create, manage, and publish your own blog. These files — your WordPress software and tools — work together and with your blog pages and archives to support the functionality and reliability of your blog. Learn more.

When you rename your WordPress files or move them from one directory to another, you change the path (the web address) to those files. Changing the path breaks links in your blog pages (including your permalinks) and disrupts the communication between your pages, the MySQL database associated with your blog, and your WordPress administration tools. When the elements that support your blog can't work together, you'll find that you are unable to manage your blog properly, and your blog may become inaccessible to your site visitors.

We strongly recommend that you do not move or rename your WordPress installation files. If for some reason you decide that you'd like to move your WordPress files to another directory in your site, we suggest activating WordPress again, this time choosing the other directory as your installation location. Please note that reactivating WordPress creates a new set of WordPress tools and related files in your site; any work you've already completed on your first WordPress blog will not be automatically associated with your new set of software.

If you've already created your WordPress blog and want to switch installation directories, you'll need to complete a series of changes to your files and MySQL database to ensure that the elements that support your blog can still communicate. Learn how to move or rename your WordPress files.

If you do move or rename your files and still want to use Blog Manager to access your blog tools, you'll need to update your management links with the new path to your blog control panel. After you have completed the configuration changes on your WordPress control panel, visit the Manage tab of the Web Hosting Control Panel, click the "Blog Manager" link, then click the "Did your links change?" link in the Blog Manager module that corresponds with your blog. You'll be able to change the web address associated with your blog in the Blog Manager, enabling you to once again manage your blog using these links. (Note that any changes you make here will not be reflected on your blog control panel.) Learn more.

For more information about modifying your files, please see the relevant instructions on the WordPress site. Please be aware, however, that due to certain limitations imposed when you installed WordPress through your control panel, your permalinks may be permanently damaged if you move your WordPress files.

Please note that Yahoo! does not provide technical support for WordPress, and that we cannot assist you in moving your installation directory. Due to the complexity of these modifications, we recommend that only advanced users attempt to relocate their WordPress files.