As a developer who writes directly in HTML, I’ve always relied on a small but important setting in WordPress:
“Visual Editor: +/- Disable the visual editor when writing” in the user profile.
But in version 6.8, WordPress removed that option — without warning.
For me, this wasn’t just a small inconvenience. It was the loss of freedom of choice.
So I decided to fix that and bring it back as a plugin.
The Problem That Affects Many
Many developers, freelancers, and users who work with code are not fans of WYSIWYG editors. Not everyone is a “visual type.”
Additionally, there are times when you simply need to input HTML tags that aren’t well supported in a standard text editor.
The problem with the visual editor is that it can “clean up” the code. A small fix through the Edit Page/Post in the Dashboard — or, more often, accidentally opening the Visual tab — can wipe out all the HTML you worked so hard to write. And then, back to square one.
I’ve gone as far as preparing HTML-based content locally, then copy/pasting it directly into the database (wp_posts > post_content). I no longer even add new wp_post IDs through the Dashboard; I do it via SQL commands or my own upgraded legacy version of a previously banned mass page creation plugin.
And then I pack it all... Then someone (or I) opens the WP TinyMCE Editor — the Visual tab — and flushes the code.
In the old WordPress, all you needed to do was check the box “Disable the visual editor when writing” in your profile. Let the worst happen — the code stays.
But since version 6.8, WordPress no longer shows this option, even if the Classic Editor plugin is active. What was once a simple solution — is now completely removed from the interface.
The Solution I Made
This is where I created Classic Visual Editor Options.
The plugin does just one thing: restores that old, beloved option in the user profile.
No additional settings. No extra UI. No bloat.
Just that one checkbox.
- ✅ Works even if you use Block Editor
- ✅ Works even if you use Classic Editor
- ✅ Respects user settings (rich_editing meta)
I purposely kept it minimalist because sometimes, that’s exactly what’s needed.
Conclusion — It’s Not Nostalgia, It’s a Choice
This story isn’t about the past. It’s not even about one checkbox.
It’s about the fact that s*ome users still want control over how they write*. They want a work environment without visual “flavor.” They want to write in peace — just as they always have.
If you’re one of them — this plugin is for you.
🔗 Plugin Link: Classic Visual Editor Options
Feel free to leave a comment, suggestion, or question.
I’m open to feedback — and new solutions that respect the old things that worked.
Dejan S. Višekruna
WP developer and someone who still believes that — Code is Poetry.
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