WordPress, like any other piece of software needs to be upgraded occasionally to make use of new features and improve security. Simply check the footer of your blog when viewing the dashboard to see your version.
For this reason it is vitally important that you upgrade your blog to the latest version as soon as possible, and keep it upgraded in future. WordPress have very detailed instructions, but as a first time upgrader, I found them a little daunting. However, in the end it took me less than 10 minutes to successfully update both my blogs, so I thought I would provide you with the benefit of my experience. The key things to remember are backup, and follow the instructions exactly.
- Ensure you have an FTP program such as Filezilla installed. Connect to your server and download an entire copy of all WP files & folders to your PC hard drive. Check them, and make sure the folder structure has remained intact.
- Backup the blog database, including all tables, and save either to your PC or send to webmail.
- Create a new folder on your PC and download a full new version of WordPress. Unzip the downloaded file.
- Go to your dashboard and de-activate ALL plugins. Every last one.
- Using your FTP program DELETE the wp-admin directory, wp-includes folder (if using a language other than English, don’t delete the wp-includes/languages folder) all files prefixed wp in the root directory EXCEPT wp-config, and the files called readme.html, wp.php, xmlrpc.php, and license.txt. Any other files can be left eg Favicon etc.
- To make sure, DO NOT DELETE wp-config.php, wp-content folder and its sub-folders, wp-images folder, and the .htaccess file.
- Using your FTP program, upload the new versions of the files to the server. I.e. upload the new wp-admin folder, the new wp-includes folder, and all of the new wp files to the root. DO NOT overwrite the old wp-config (i.e. do not rename the new wp-config-sample file – just leave or do not upload).
- Do not visit your blog just yet! In the address bar of your browser type in the url of your blog plus the upgrade file e.g. www.myblog.com/wp-admin/upgrade.php - the section in italics being the important part. Hit enter, click to upgrade and wait for the success message-a few seconds.
- Log in to your dashboard & everything should be there. Go to options & update the permalinks. Check your blog, and if OK, re-activate your plugins one at a time, to make sure they work ok with the new version. If not, you may need to upgrade the plugin.
- You’re finished!
It may seem slightly daunting at first, but you do not want to be one of the last blogs left with an old version, as it will make your blog attractive to passing hackers, and it is very easy to tell what version of WordPress a blogger is using. I can tell yours from the front page…
3 users commented in " How To Upgrade Your WordPress Blog "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI guess it would be safe to say that for those whose web hosts have fantastico enabled, it would be enough to back up the data base, including any modifications to the theme, then have fantastico install the new version and then just restore the database and the theme.
Am I right?
You’re right Cosmin, thats another way to do it properly.
The only warning I would add is to make sure you have all your customisations backed up & know where they are – plugins, widgets, themes, favicons etc. as it is possible that Fantastico will overwrite everything including wp-config. However, this has not been my experience on my test blog, everything appears to remain intact. As long as you know which bits to restore, go for it.
It’s just about choosing the method you’re most comfortable with.
Thanks for the comment
[...] How To Upgrade Your WordPress blog: Bloggers who have access to Fantastico, or who are making use of some of the recent upgrade plugins have a near ‘one-click’ answer, but for those of you still upgrading the old fashioned way, these clear instructions should help you out. [...]
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