Title: What will WordPress overwrite?
Last modified: April 22, 2017

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# What will WordPress overwrite?

 *  [chalto](https://wordpress.org/support/users/chalto/)
 * (@chalto)
 * [9 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/what-will-wordpress-overwrite/)
 * _[ Moderator note: [moved to Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/please-use-how-to-and-troubleshooting-if-you-have-problems-after-installation/).]_
 * I have a domain on which I am running a website that is not a WordPress site.
   I also have a number of sub-domains that are running as WordPress sites and are
   installed in folders under the main domain. I would like to rewrite the site 
   on my main domain as a WordPress installation, but I get a warning message to
   say that WordPress will overwrite all files on that domain. What I am not clear
   about is whether the sub-domains will safely retain their content or not, and
   whether to install WordPress in the root directory of the domain, or install 
   it is a folder and if necessary create a html page to point to the WordPress 
   home page.

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

 *  [HudsonValleyWebDesign](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jaycbrf/)
 * (@jaycbrf)
 * [9 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/what-will-wordpress-overwrite/#post-9053986)
 * It is best to copy all the files from the directory you are installing to and
   then deleting them.
 * WordPress will not delete any sub-directories.
 * Just install as usual and they will remain fine
 *  [a2hostinglk](https://wordpress.org/support/users/a2hostinglk/)
 * (@a2hostinglk)
 * [9 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/what-will-wordpress-overwrite/#post-9054545)
 * [@chalto](https://wordpress.org/support/users/chalto/),
 * First – Take a backup of your complete root folder
 * Second – If you are installing wordpress in a specific folder / domain, you should
   be good. The installation should be per domain or sub-domain. All your sites 
   on sub-domains should be fine as they must be in a different folder structure.
 * Third – You can always communicate with your hosting provider as they will guide
   you with the process

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

The topic ‘What will WordPress overwrite?’ is closed to new replies.

 * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/)
 * 2 replies
 * 3 participants
 * Last reply from: [a2hostinglk](https://wordpress.org/support/users/a2hostinglk/)
 * Last activity: [9 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/what-will-wordpress-overwrite/#post-9054545)
 * Status: not a support question

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