{"id":2451,"date":"2007-08-07T23:01:14","date_gmt":"2007-08-07T17:31:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/08\/superfast-way-to-upgrade-wordpress-with-changed-files\/"},"modified":"2026-10-12T11:11:31","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T05:41:31","slug":"superfast-way-to-upgrade-wordpress-with-changed-files","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/08\/superfast-way-to-upgrade-wordpress-with-changed-files\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Update WordPress Quickly and Safely (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>What&#8217;s the fastest safe way to update WordPress? Back in 2007, upgrading from 2.2.1 to 2.2.2 meant downloading the release and uploading only the changed files by FTP, which took me under a minute instead of a full reinstall. Today WordPress updates itself in one click, and minor security releases install automatically. You still need a little care with major versions, themes and plugins. Here&#8217;s how to <strong>update WordPress<\/strong> quickly and safely in 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-64244\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/update-wordpress-safely-1024x538.webp\" alt=\"How to update WordPress safely\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/update-wordpress-safely-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/update-wordpress-safely-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/update-wordpress-safely-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/update-wordpress-safely-768x403.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/update-wordpress-safely.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> Back up your site, then go to Dashboard &gt; Updates and click <strong>Update to version X<\/strong>. Minor security releases install automatically; you can also enable automatic major updates and plugin auto-updates. Update plugins and themes too, check the site afterwards, and use WP-CLI (<code>wp core update<\/code>) or a manual upload only if one-click updates fail.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af9d718432bd\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af9d718432bd\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/08\/superfast-way-to-upgrade-wordpress-with-changed-files\/#Before_you_update\" >Before you update<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/08\/superfast-way-to-upgrade-wordpress-with-changed-files\/#Method_1_One-click_update_recommended\" >Method 1: One-click update (recommended)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/08\/superfast-way-to-upgrade-wordpress-with-changed-files\/#Method_2_Automatic_updates\" >Method 2: Automatic updates<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/08\/superfast-way-to-upgrade-wordpress-with-changed-files\/#Method_3_WP-CLI\" >Method 3: WP-CLI<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/08\/superfast-way-to-upgrade-wordpress-with-changed-files\/#Method_4_Manual_update_by_FTP\" >Method 4: Manual update by FTP<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/08\/superfast-way-to-upgrade-wordpress-with-changed-files\/#If_something_breaks\" >If something breaks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/08\/superfast-way-to-upgrade-wordpress-with-changed-files\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/08\/superfast-way-to-upgrade-wordpress-with-changed-files\/#Is_it_safe_to_update_WordPress\" >Is it safe to update WordPress?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/08\/superfast-way-to-upgrade-wordpress-with-changed-files\/#Should_I_update_plugins_or_WordPress_first\" >Should I update plugins or WordPress first?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/08\/superfast-way-to-upgrade-wordpress-with-changed-files\/#How_often_is_WordPress_updated\" >How often is WordPress updated?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Before_you_update\"><\/span>Before you update<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Back up<\/strong> files and database; here&#8217;s how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/10\/backup-restore-wordpress-database\/\">backup and restore your WordPress database<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Check compatibility:<\/strong> make sure key plugins and your theme support the new version, and that your PHP version is supported.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use staging for big sites:<\/strong> many hosts offer a one-click staging copy to test updates first.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Method_1_One-click_update_recommended\"><\/span>Method 1: One-click update (recommended)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Go to <strong>Dashboard &gt; Updates<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Click <strong>Update to version X<\/strong>. WordPress briefly enters maintenance mode, downloads the new files and updates the database if needed.<\/li>\n<li>Update plugins and themes from the same screen.<\/li>\n<li>Visit your site and check key pages, forms and checkout.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Method_2_Automatic_updates\"><\/span>Method 2: Automatic updates<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Minor (security) releases install automatically by default.<\/li>\n<li>On the Updates screen you can enable automatic updates for all new versions.<\/li>\n<li>On the Plugins and Themes screens, click <strong>Enable auto-updates<\/strong> for ones you trust.<\/li>\n<li>Many managed hosts also run updates and roll back if something breaks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Method_3_WP-CLI\"><\/span>Method 3: WP-CLI<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you have SSH access, this is the fastest way to update one or many sites:<\/p>\n<pre><code>wp core update\nwp core update-db\nwp plugin update --all\nwp theme update --all<\/code><\/pre>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Method_4_Manual_update_by_FTP\"><\/span>Method 4: Manual update by FTP<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Use this only if one-click updates fail, for example because of file permissions (see how to fix the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/02\/fix-ftp-connection-information-wordpress-plugin-upgrades\/\">FTP connection information<\/a> prompt).<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Download the latest version from <a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/download\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress.org<\/a> and unzip it.<\/li>\n<li>Upload and replace the <code>wp-admin<\/code> and <code>wp-includes<\/code> folders.<\/li>\n<li>Upload the loose files in the root, but <strong>don&#8217;t<\/strong> overwrite <code>wp-config.php<\/code> or the <code>wp-content<\/code> folder.<\/li>\n<li>Visit <code>\/wp-admin\/<\/code> and click the database update button if shown.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The old &#8220;upload only changed files&#8221; shortcut isn&#8217;t worth the risk now; releases change many files and one-click updates are faster anyway.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"If_something_breaks\"><\/span>If something breaks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Stuck &#8220;Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance&#8221;? Delete the <code>.maintenance<\/code> file; here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/04\/fix-wordpress-error-briefly-unavailable-for-scheduled-maintenance\/\">full fix<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>White screen or errors? Rename the <code>plugins<\/code> folder via FTP to disable plugins, then re-enable them one by one.<\/li>\n<li>Still broken? Restore your backup.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For bigger updates, put up a friendly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/08\/upgrading-wordpress-notify-visitors-with-maintenance-mode\/\">WordPress maintenance mode<\/a> page.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_safe_to_update_WordPress\"><\/span>Is it safe to update WordPress?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, and staying updated is one of the best ways to keep your site secure. Back up first for major versions.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_update_plugins_or_WordPress_first\"><\/span>Should I update plugins or WordPress first?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Usually plugins and themes first, then WordPress core, then check the site.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_often_is_WordPress_updated\"><\/span>How often is WordPress updated?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Major versions arrive a few times a year, with smaller maintenance and security releases in between.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What&#8217;s the fastest safe way to update WordPress? Back in 2007, upgrading from 2.2.1 to 2.2.2 meant downloading the release&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":64244,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[49,17],"class_list":["post-2451","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogging","tag-tutorials","tag-wordpress"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2451","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2451"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2451\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64245,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2451\/revisions\/64245"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2451"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2451"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2451"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}