While it’s not a difficult task, upgrading your WordPress installation should not be taken lightly. Before you begin the process, it’s important to do the following:
- Check your current MySQL database version because the WordPress database requirements have changed. Instead of requiring MySQL 3.23 and up, it now requires MySQL 4 and up.
- Make a complete back up of your old WordPress files (including theme files and plugins) and your database. Store this back up somewhere and do not overwrite it.
- Disable all of your plugins before commencing with the upgrade process.
If your host hasn’t upgraded to the latest version of MySQL, you should not upgrade your WordPress installation (or maybe you should find a new host).
To check your MySQL version, you can log into your hosting account and click on the MySQL link or you can contact your webhost.
Once you’re sure it’s safe to proceed, then head over to the Codex and follow the upgrade instructions. When the upgrade is complete, remember to enable your theme first and check for compatibility, then move on to enabling your plugins one at a time starting with the simple plugins first and moving on to the plugins which require database enhancements and theme modifications. (Maria Langer has a nice write up on why this is important.)
[...] But BEFORE you install the new version, be sure to read my geek-girlfriend Teli Adlam’s suggestions about the Wordpress upgrade which she cautions ’should not be taken lightly’. [...]
# January 26th, 2007
[...] Just read from Teli’s WordPress Niche Blog that WordPress 2.1 is out for download. One of the important changes is in this version is that now it requires MySQL 4. Which means I have to upgrade my servers in order to test drive it. [...]
# January 26th, 2007
I didn’t upgrade, because I’m afraid of some plugins not working.
# January 27th, 2007
If you have a good web host with Fantasico as part of its Cpanel , it becomes a two mouse clicks process. So check with your web host to see if they have made upgrading Wordpress easy.
# January 27th, 2007
Good point Bob, but with a caveat: only if you’re running a fairly standard WordPress installation without any database modifying plugins.
~ Teli
# January 27th, 2007
bssn
Do what I did: set up a new blog on a sub-domain running 2.1, try out all of your plugin’s and themes etc. Once you’re sure it’s working ok, it’s a simple matter to upgrade your actual blog.
# January 29th, 2007
thanks
# January 31st, 2007
Bob makes it sound easy. I have cpanel with fantastico and don’t know how to apply it to wp2.1 upgrade. I failed using ftp after saving my databases. Where do I start with fantastico?
# February 1st, 2007
Hi David,
If you installed WordPress with Fantastico, then you simply need to go to the Fantastico menu in your hosting account and there should be a notice that you need to upgrade WordPress. If there is, click on the link and it will complete the process for you. If you didn’t install WordPress with Fantastico, then you’ll need to manually upgrade.
~ Teli
# February 1st, 2007
[...] If you haven’t already had a chance to upgrade your Wordpress Blog, now might be a good time. The release of Wordpress 2.1.1 brings few improvements over the last version, and can be implimented very easily. Teli posted great instructions on his blog over at OptiNiche, which can be very helpful if you plan on doing it yourself. [...]
# February 25th, 2007
Thx for the tips, I have successfully upgraded the blog to 2.1, but I had to work a little bit on my custom theme to look good on it.
# March 18th, 2007