As i wrote before, it was my first time upgrading WordPress.
The experience couldn’t be more pleasant. In about 10 min i had all my files and the site updated with the new version.

Here is a short list of steps and notes of my upgrade.

• First of all, you are advised to make backups in case something goes wrong with the upgrade.
• Go to Manage and click on Export to save the contents of your site to an XML file. I do this once a day choosing all authors.
• For a database backup, you need to know where to do it in you host’s admin panel. My hosting company provides easy access to phpMyAdmin so i just browse the databases i had, choose the one i want and then i choose to export its data to a SQL file.
• Download the new version of WordPress and extract it.
• Before uploading it is recommended to deactivate plugins. I didn’t do it because i just use about 5 and i tested my site locally before uploading the new files.
• Overwrite all files in your host. I used an FTP client.
• Go to your WordPress path and open this link wp-admin/upgrade.php to make the upgrade.
• You should now have your WordPress installation upgraded.

Side notes:

I also tried one plugin called Maintenance Mode and it worked great. This plugin presents your users a message that your site is under maintenance and you will be back online after a given time in minutes. Just activate it and begin the uploading of files.

There is one plugin that makes backups but i haven’t had the time to try it.

For information about upgrading in the WordPress Codex read here.

I hope this helps other people to upgrade their WordPress blogs.

• Upgrade to WordPress 2.6 Complete
• Finished Upgrading to WordPress 2.3.3
• WordPress 2.3.1 Released
• Finished Upgrading to WordPress 2.3.2
• Site Upgraded to Wordpress 2.5