In yesterday’s post regarding changes in WordPress 3.3, I discussed one of the most exciting upcoming features – the replacement of the standard flash-based media uploader in WordPress with a much more current HTML5 system. The HTML5 system brings support for a handful of neat features such as drag and drop uploading, as well as automatic image resizing. Though the WordPress development team has obviously done an amazing job with WordPress, this marvel can not be fully credited to them. The new HTML5 uploader was made possible by the folks over at Plupload.

This is extra great news for an end user like you, because it means the new uploading system can actually be installed as a plugin right now – without having to update to a risky development build!

First, you will want to navigate to your WordPress Dashboard and locate Plugins.  Once in the Plugins section, select Add New:

After clicking on Add New, you will be taken to the Install Plugins screen. In the search box, enter wplupload and select Search Plugins.

Upon clicking Search Plugins, you will be taken to a results screen.  If everything went according to plan, you will be given only one option – WPlupload.  Select Install Now. 

WordPress will begin downloading and installing the plugin right away, and you will be taken to a very short progress screen. Once the option to Activate Plugin is shown, select it!

After the plugin is activated, you are essentially ready to roll. The new HTML5 uploader has been installed and will automatically be called upon when attempting to upload to your WordPress site.

If you are curious as to how to confirm the plugin is activated, simply locate the Media section of WordPress and select Add New.

Once in the Add New screen, you should notice a rainbow colored “P” in the right corner of your screen, similar to what is shown below:

That’s it!  As long as you are running a modern browser that supports HTML5 (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera,) you are ready to roll!

Time to enjoy a flash-less WordPress!