You have to just put the plugin archive to the wp-content-plugin directory in your wordpress files and extract it. This means you install it. To start using a plugin you have to activate it.
The admin panel of your blog provides an easy way to install plugins through the option “add new” under the “plugin” button. There is a convenient search there. Next to the search option there are other options (1). By clicking them I can upload plugins stored on my computer, look through featured, popular, recently uploaded and newest plugins.
I can also search by keyword, author or tag (2) and look through the tag catalogue (3) if I’m not sure about what to look for.
It is simple to manage the installed plugins by clicking “Plugins” — > “Installed”.
Bulk actions can be applied to the number of plugins by checking boxes next to the necessary plugins. The function lets you delete, activate, deactivate plugins in bulk. It is very convenient when it is necessary to switch off all the plugins at once, for example, when you need to upgrade your blog or move it to another hosting.
There are two default plugins – Akismet and Hello, Dolly. Akismet fights against the spam comments in your blog. To activate it, you have to receive the wordpress.com API key. You should get the wordpress.com account for this. Follow the instructions next to the name of the plugin.
Edit plugins means to change code in the plugin files. Go to plugins — > editor. In the right hand corner there is the select button for selecting plugins. Plugin Files are displayed under it. The editor is in the center. But you should use this function only if you are sure about what you are doing. This is for advanced users. Besides, you need to have your plugin files writable.