View Categories

Install software on multiple sites with the Bulk Installer

The Bulk Installer lets you install or update plugins and extensions on one or more websites directly from Watchful. It supports WordPress and Joomla! and helps you deploy software across multiple sites without logging in to each website.

You can use the Bulk Installer to:

  • Install new plugins or extensions on multiple websites.
  • Apply urgent security updates before Watchful detects them through its regular update checks.
  • Update custom or premium software that Watchful cannot update automatically.
  • Reinstall software to resolve issues.

You can access the installer from the main navigation menu, the site drawer, or the Bulk Actions menu on the Sites Dashboard.

Before you begin

Make sure you have a compatible installation package for the software you want to install.

Most WordPress plugins and Joomla! extensions are distributed as ZIP files. You can download these packages from the developer or the appropriate software repository.

You can also use a package stored in Dropbox or available at a public URL.

Before installing or updating software, we recommend creating a recent backup of the affected websites.

Install software on multiple sites

1. Open the Bulk Installer

  1. Log in to your Watchful account.
  2. Select Installer from the left navigation menu.
  3. Locate the installation options at the top of the Bulk Installer page.

The installer displays your connected websites, including their CMS version, last backup date, and installation controls.

2. Select an installation package

Use the Upload from dropdown to select one of the following options:

  • File uploader — Click Choose File to select a ZIP package from your computer.
  • Dropbox — Click Choose from Dropbox to select a package stored in Dropbox.
  • Package URL — Enter the full URL of a publicly accessible installation package.

Once you select the package, Watchful enables the installation controls for compatible sites.

3. Select the target websites

Use the Where to install dropdown to filter the available websites by CMS.

For example, choose WordPress when installing a WordPress plugin or Joomla! when installing a Joomla! extension.

You can further narrow the list using the search and filter fields above the site table.

4. Install the package

Choose one of the installation options:

  • Install All — Install the selected package on all websites currently displayed in the installer.
  • Install Selected — Install the selected package only on the websites currently selected.
  • Install — Install the package on an individual website using the button beside its name.

Watchful processes the installation for each selected website and displays the result in the Message column.

When an installation succeeds, Watchful displays an Install successful confirmation.

Review each result to make sure the package installed correctly.

Install software on a single site

You can also open the installer directly from the site drawer without leaving the Sites Dashboard.

This method is useful when installing, updating, or reinstalling a plugin or extension on one website.

  1. Open the Sites Dashboard.
  2. Expand the site drawer for the website you want to manage.
  3. Click Installer in the site’s tools.
  4. In the Installer modal, select File uploader, Dropbox, or Package URL.
  5. Choose your installation package.
  6. Click Install beside the site’s name.
  7. Wait for the installation to complete and check the result.

The modal displays the website name and CMS core version to help you confirm that you are installing the package on the correct site.

A successful installation displays a green Install successful message.

Click Close when you have finished.

Install software on a selected group of sites

You can use the filters on the Sites Dashboard to install software on a specific group of websites.

For example, you might want to install a plugin only on websites assigned to a particular maintenance plan.

To install software on a selected group:

  1. Open the Sites Dashboard.
  2. Use the dashboard filters or search tools to locate the websites you want to manage.
  3. Select the checkboxes beside the target websites.
  4. Open the Bulk Actions dropdown.
  5. Select Installer.
  6. Choose your installation package using File uploader, Dropbox, or Package URL.
  7. Click Install All to install the package on the selected websites.
  8. Review the installation results.

Watchful opens the Bulk Installer with only your selected websites listed. This allows you to install the package on the selected group without affecting other websites in your account.

Important considerations

Installing software does not always configure it

The Bulk Installer installs the software package, but some plugins and extensions may require additional setup, activation, or licensing.

After installation, check the website’s administrator area and complete any required configuration.

Use compatible installation packages

Make sure the installation package supports the CMS and version running on each website.

A package that works on one website might not be compatible with another.

Review installation results

An installation may succeed on one website and fail on another. Therefore, check each result rather than assuming every installation completed successfully.

If an installation fails, confirm that the website is connected to Watchful, the package is valid, and the server meets the software’s requirements.

Use the installer for urgent updates

If an important software update is available but has not yet appeared in Watchful, you can download the updated package and install it manually.

This is especially helpful when deploying security fixes or updating custom software that does not support automatic updates.

bulk actions installer