Aren’t you running the latest version of WordPress? Right now, the WP developers are working on version 2.7 and the latest available non-beta version is 2.6.3.
If you’re not running the latest version of WordPress, why not? There’s no reason not to – in my mind at least. You and your data will be safer when you run the most up-to-date version.
Actually, I did think of one exception and that would be if you use a must-have plugin that isn’t yet updated to run with the latest WordPress, you might want to wait it out for the updated plugin to arrive before updating to the latest WP. I wouldn’t wait too long because it is known that older versions of WP are targets for the dolts out there who are trying to separate you from your money and identity. Check the plugin’s FYI box for version compatibility.
Sometimes your installation of WP won’t be affected by the security or other issues solved in the next release and that depends on the features of WP that you rely upon. For instance, updating from 2.6.2 to 2.6.3 wasn’t necessary for my blogs because I wasn’t using the feature that had a security issue fixed. Not updating to 2.6.3 wasn’t a security risk, so I could put that off because I know another version is on its way shortly.
You can get all the info on the latest updates by scrolling down into your WP Dashboard and reading the WP news links.
Besides being assured that you have the latest and most secure version of WordPress, you’ll get all the tweaks for a smooth ride.
Updating to the next version of WP isn’t that bad. Once you run through it a couple of times updating your software is pretty darn easy.
Here’s the quick steps to a better WordPress experience:
- Backup your database. You probably should be doing this anyway, right? Did you know that a plugin will automate backing up your WP site? One click backup – how easy can you get?
- Backup your other pages, those not produced by WordPress, by FTPing a copy somewhere. You do have a place for extra storage, don’t you? If not, try Mozy Online Storage. They’ll give you a few free GB to store anything you like so you don’t glum up your local hard drive.
- Deactivate all plugins. With the latest versions of WP this is a one-click step.
- Verify that the first three steps were done successfully.
- Download the latest WordPress software and unpack the zip file.
- Delete the old WP pages, EXCEPT wp-config.php, the wp-content folder, the wp-images folder, your .htaccess and robot.txt files.
- Upload the new WP files. Check if there are plugins or themes that you might use with newer dates in the new wp-content folder. Upload any newer files.
- Run the upgrade program by visiting
http://yourdomain.com/wp-admin/upgrade.php, and clicking on Upgrade. - Sign-in to your WP Dashboard and verify the permalinks are set to your liking.
- Activate plugins, as needed.
- Feel satisfied that you’re now safely running the latest and greatest WordPress blogging software.
It’s not difficult to run these updates, and you should be backing up your great content anyway, right? To stay on top of the most recent changes in WP, check out the WP news items in your Dashboard.