WordPress upgrade from version 2.5.1 to 2.6.5
Since I started this blog, the developing team of WordPress released many new updates. The last version 2.6.5 came a few days ago, in November 25. It’s time to make me the upgrade as I’m still using 2.5.1.
I’m going to share with all steps I went through to make it.
1. Backup your database and files.
2. Upload all downloaded (2.6.5 release) files (by overwriting old ones) except wp-content directory.
3. Delete the following files:
gdform.php
readme.html (if still existed)
webformmailer.php
welcome.html
—————————————————–
wp-admin \bookmarklet.php
——————————————————
\wp-includes\js\wp-ajax.js
\wp-includes\js\jquery\ jquery.dimensions.min.js
Instead of deleting wp-admin and wp-includes directory, then uploading new ones I preferred to look what files didn’t exist anymore in the new version. As indicated above I had to delete 1 file at wp-admin and 2 files at wp-includes. This should be done after overriding existing files (after step 2).
4. Go to http://yourdomain/wp-admin/upgrade.php
You should see the following picture:
After the database upgrade you get the following:
5. Open wp-congif.php (the old your file – it was not overwritten as it is not in the new version package) and wp-config-sample.php. You should notice there are some changes. Instead of constant SECRET_KEY the new WprdPress has 3 new constants: AUTH_KEY, SECURE_AUTH_KEY and LOGGED_IN_KEY.
As advised in the sample file go to http://api.wordpress.org/secret-key/1.1/ and copy the output to the config file. The output should be 3 lines – something like this:
define('AUTH_KEY', 'JUJodC&X@~liulnkQt-|');
define('SECURE_AUTH_KEY', '$Qs9f<NAW4cg:hOK5yOAT');
define('LOGGED_IN_KEY', 'g15L_EvwoX1gz%XmU(ge,tfw');
You don’t have to delete wp-content directory as it holds themes, plugins and uploaded images.
As you see, my steps slightly different from upgrading instructions that are in 2.6.5 readme file:
Upgrading from any previous WordPress to 2.6.1:
- Delete your old WP files, saving ones you’ve modified.
- Upload the new files.
- Point your browser to /wp-admin/upgrade.php.
- You wanted more, perhaps? That’s it!
As you see my “How-To” extends the general instruction. I hope it will be useful for somebody.
A few more steps I did after upgrade:
1. If you using classic or default theme – update it accordingly. I’m still using default theme. I have altered only 2 files – footer.php by adding here Google analytics tracker and sidebar.php for Google Adsense code. So I just did the same in new files.
2. Go to wp-admin menu item Plugins and check do all of them have last versions. To my surprise, the new WordPress package has old Akismet plugin version so don’t bother with it. Download it from the plugin page.