Phew…
I’m new to WordPress and my host only offered an installation script for WordPress v2.5.1 by default. I have limited experience with PHP so I went with the automated install, but I wanted to upgrade WordPress to v2.6.2 to keep current with the latest security updates.
I started by reading the basic, three-step upgrade instructions on the WordPress website. I read through them completely and when I got to the part where something might go wrong (troubleshooting), I just skipped on over to the extended upgrade instructions. At the top of that page, they suggest using the WordPress Automatic Upgrade plugin. I read through the detailed instructions and thought there were numerous places I might screw up something. I started feeling that I might have to invest several hours in the upgrade process.
So I headed over to Techie Buzz and read over the WordPress Automatic Upgrade plugin page. It says it can upgrade your WordPress installation in a couple of minutes. I like the idea that it automates everything and I figured that it can’t do anything worse than me, so I decided to give it a shot.
I downloaded the latest version of WAU and followed the ftp installation instructions. It installs like other WordPress plugins. After I activated the plugin, it notified me that there was an even newer version. After updating to the latest, latest version, I started the WordPress upgrade process.
It starts by checking to make sure that it is compatible with your server configuration – a nice touch. It then backs up all of your files and tells you to download them locally. It then starts the update process and only gives you success messages. You click ‘next’ to step through the upgrade process.
After everything upgraded, it says you have to run the database upgrade process in a new window. I upgraded the database and then it asked me to log in. I went back to the WAU screen and clicked ‘next’ to reactivate other plugins. It asked me to log in – oop! I switched back to the other window, logged in, switched back to WAU, clicked the back button, and then clicked ‘next’ again. Phew. It said everything had been upgraded successfully.
It literally took around five minutes for the entire upgrade process. If you need to upgrade your WordPress instalation, consider using the WordPress Automatic Upgrade plugin. I’m really glad I did.
