How to upgrade from 2.8.4

  • I’m on version 2.8.4. I must upgrade, but I am AFRAID!
    Tell me should I hit the upgrade automatically or do it manually. What do I need to back up before I go this route?
    Will I lose all my templates? This is okay – as long as I can start over.
    I just don’t want to get myself into a mess that I can’t get out of and have to pay thousands of dollars to fix…
    Please help!

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

  • If your template is not updated to the latest WordPress version, there is a big chance you will run into problems.

    How many plugins you have and how big is your WordPress blog?

    You MUST backup your website before you do anything, so if things go wrong, you can always restore it back as it was.

    Tell me should I hit the upgrade automatically or do it manually.

    Manually, and not all the way in one big leap. I have never been in your situation, but I have heard your update/upgrade will need to be done incrementally since database changes and updates are done along the way.

    Please read carefully here:

    Upgrading Across Multiple Versions

    If you plan on upgrading across more than two major releases, please consider upgrading incrementally to avoid potential conflicts and minimize the risks of database damage. For example, if you plan on upgrading from 2.5 to 4.2.2, upgrade to 2.7 first, followed by 2.9, then 3.1, and so on. Essentially, it’s okay to skip one release, but never skip TWO when upgrading.

    Older versions of WordPress can be downloaded from the release archive.

    Please note that WordPress 3.7 introduced an easy to use one-button updater which will take you directly to 4.2.2. It is important that you continue to update manually as directed below until you reach two major releases prior to 4.2.2.

    https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Upgrading_WordPress_-_Extended_Instructions

    Thread Starter dorgain

    (@dorgain)

    Thank you for your help. Here’s my follow up question. Can I just start over? Get a clean slate if you will – start with latest version of wordpress- while keeping my domain name? Pretty much that is all I care about. The templates, I think I can just buy some pre-made ones, right? Then install the plugins I want?

    You certainly could download copies of your theme files (templates) for later use and then ask your host to reset or “nuke” your account to begin completely anew…and you might first use Dashboard > Tools > Export to at least try to bring some content along. Or, you could do the export and then just drop all tables from your database and do a manual-upgrade installation…

    Take you pick and ask any questions that might come up!

    They key parts I would try to keep:
    Dashboard > Tools > Export
    /wp-content/themes/
    /wp-content/uploads/
    /wp-config.php
    /.htaccess (possibly optional)

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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