When a brand new WordPress update is released, it is always wise to opt for the newer upgrade. According to experts, you should upgrade the existing system as quickly as possible. However, WordPress automatic update is known for its bugs and slow performance.
So, what would you do when automatic updates fail? How will you get hold of the latest WordPress version? It is quite interesting to note that more than 90% of WordPress users rely on manual updates.
WordPress Update or First Install
If you install your site for the first time, then you have to get latest version of wordpress to be sure that you have all latest security and coding features – but if you just trying to update your current WordPress version, then the next few lines will lend you a hand of help.
Before you get the latest version of WordPress you should take a complete backup of your web page. Make sure the files and database is carefully backed up! This is one of the most important things all techies say to do but fail to follow!
Updating WordPress manually may not seem as difficult as it sounds. In fact, it is much safer and more straightforward than automatic updates. Here are a few critical steps you should perform while updating WordPress manually.
Take Complete Backups
First of all, you should take complete backups of your database and wordpress files. Even if your website is totally destroyed and down, this backup will keep your data intact.
How to take Backup for WordPress Database?
In order to minimize damage, you must store the database off the server. If required, you can access the database remotely using fine-tuned procedures.
- Login to cPanel.
- Click the “Backups” button in the Files section.
- Scroll down to “Partial Backups” and click on the database name.
- Download pop up windows will appear to download your database file.
How to take Backup for WordPress Files?
You should take backups of all files that belong to your domain. Nothing interesting or exceptional is done here! To take a spotless backup of files in your domain, you can use a FTP program. Remember to take copies of all files including public_html, wp-content, wp-config.php and wp-admin.
- Login to cPanel.
- Click the “Backups” button in the Files section.
- Scroll down to “Partial Backups” and click on Download a Home Directory Backup button.
- Download pop up windows will appear to download your wordpress files in Home Directory.
Deleting WordPress Files
Now, you should get rid of the original wp-admin and wp-includes files. You can perform the deletion when you are logged in using the File Transfer Protocol Program. These directories will be replaced soon.
WordPress Update
Now, download the town’s latest WordPress version. You can search for the tar.gz or .zip file from the internet. Unzip the .tar.gz or .zip file and extract all the folders & files into your local system. Conversely, use the FTP program to upload the files into the server.
Here, you should upload the wp-admin and wp-includes files. Contents of wp-content should be uploaded to the server too. Never delete wp-content from your existing system, since it would get rid of existing theme customization.
The Final Step
Apart from these three files, you will find many other individual files in the unzipped folder. Upload them individually into the root folder! Finally, login and verify if your WordPress was updated successfully.
