How to Update WordPress Properly

A new version, WordPress 2.3.3, is out, and I decided to update my blog, but this time to do it properly! Though “properly” is putting it a bit strongly. It would be more accurate to say without jumping through hoops!

So, how do you update WordPress easily? I see two options here:

1. Install a suitable plugin for automatic updates.
2. Update everything by hand. (my choice)

Let’s start with the first option

To do this, you need to take the following steps:

1. Download the WordPress Automatic Upgrade plugin.
2. Extract the wordpress-automatic-upgrade directory from the archive into the wp-content/plugins directory.
3. Go to the admin panel.
4. Activate the plugin.
5. Go to “Manage” > “Automatic Upgrade”.
6. Then follow the plugin’s instructions.

The plugin will back up everything it needs to itself.

More details about this plugin: http://mywordpress.ru/plugins/wpau/

Now for the second option, which I found more convenient and faster.

In this case, you need to take the following steps:

1. Back up your WordPress database tables (to be on the safe side, back up the files too, but this isn’t required).
2. Log in to the admin panel and deactivate all active plugins (there’s a “Deactive all plugins” button at the bottom).
3. Download the latest version of WordPress and extract the archive into any directory on your computer.
4. Upload all the extracted files to your blog’s directory on the server, except for the following:
   • wp-content (the folder and its contents).
   • wp-includes/languages (if you use your own language file).
5. To perform the update, follow the link http://example.com/wp-admin/upgrade.php and complete all the steps provided (there may not be any, in which case click “Continue”).
6. Log in to the admin panel and reactivate your plugins.

That’s it! Happy updating!