Web Hosting Line
1.800.828.9231
WordPress hosting
WordPress tutorial
WordPress themes
WordPress plugins
WordPress FAQ
About WordPress
Host Package
Free Domain name
750 GB space
7500 GB Traffic/mo
99.9% Server Uptime
24/7 Top Customer Care
FREE Blog Installation
Immediate activation
The Best Host Package
learn more sign up now
WordPress Hosting Award:
The Best WordPress Host
Display entire tutorial on one page. Print-friendly version.

WordPress Upgrade

WordPress Upgrade to latest version

Step 1: Backup the Database Tables and Files including .htaccess. Please refer to the WordPress backup tutorial for further instructions on how to complete this step.

Step 2: Deactivate Plugins

Deactivate all the Plugins you use from the Plugin Management Page:

deactivate plugins

Some Plugins might not work with the new WordPress version, and that is why you would better deactivate all of them in order to avoid discrepancies. This will ensure that you won't end up with an upgraded-but-broken installation of WordPress after the upgrade process. Click on the Deactivate button on the left. This will deactivate the plug-in.

Step 3: Overwrite Files

  • Overwrite option 1: Get the latest WordPress version from Wordpress download page and upload it to the WordPress directory, overwriting all the files that exist there. This will preserve your images and themes.
  • Overwrite option 2: Deleting your old files on the server and uploading the newer files from the new version you've downloaded is an alternative which will ensure that the files on the server have been replaced for sure.

If you are not sure how to do this, we recommend you to refer to our FTP tutorial where you will find step by step instructions how to upload files.

Which option is better?

Generally, it is a good idea to delete whatever is possible because the uploading (or upgrading through cPanel) process may not correctly overwrite an existing file and that may cause problems later.

DO NOT DELETE these folders and files:

 

wp-config.php file;
wp-content folder;
wp-images folder;
wp-includes/languages/ folder--if you are using a language file, do not delete this folder;
.htaccess file--if you have added custom rules to your .htaccess, do not delete it;
Custom Content and/or Plugins--if you have any images or other custom content or Plugins inside the wp-content folder, DO NOT delete them.

DELETE these Files and Folders:

 

wp-* (except for those above), readme.html, wp.php, xmlrpc.php, and license.txt; files; Typically files in your root or wordpress folder. Again, don't delete the wp-config.php file.
wp-admin folder;
wp-includes folder; If using a language file remember don't delete the wp-includes/languages/ folder
wp-content/cache folder; You only see this folder if you are upgrading FROM WordPress 2.0.

Step 4: Run the upgrade script

Visit your blog's Upgrade Page (http://yourdomainname.com/wp-admin/upgrade.php) and follow the instructions that are displayed.

Step 5: Reactivate Plugins one by one

Activate your plug-ins, one by one, at the Plugin Management Page. Check if everything works as expected.

If any Plugin does not work, deactivate it and then you might contact the plugin author to encourage the author to upgrade the plugin.

Please, feel free to contact us if you have any questions or recommendations about this tutorial at: tutorials 'at' siteground.com



WordPress Hosting
(c) Copyright 2008 SiteGround Web Hosting Provider. All rights reserved