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Why Manual Updates Are Important
Updating WordPress manually via FTP can be crucial for maintaining the security and performance of your website. While automatic updates are convenient, they may not always function correctly due to plugin conflicts or server issues. By performing manual updates, you ensure that the latest features and security patches are applied, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors.
Moreover, manual updates allow you to have greater control over the update process. You can take backups before proceeding, ensuring that you can restore your site to its previous state if something goes wrong. This level of control is particularly important for businesses that rely heavily on their website for operations and customer engagement, such as Precise Business Solutions.
Steps to Update WordPress Manually Using FTP
To begin the manual update process, first, download the latest version of WordPress from the official website. Once downloaded, extract the files to a folder on your computer. Next, connect to your website using an FTP client, such as FileZilla, and navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation. Here, you will need to upload the extracted files, except for the `wp-content` folder, to avoid overwriting your existing themes and plugins.
After uploading the files, you should access your WordPress admin dashboard to complete the update process. If necessary, WordPress will prompt you to update your database to the latest version. It’s important to check your site thoroughly after the update to ensure everything is functioning correctly. If any issues arise, you can revert to your backup and troubleshoot the problem before attempting the update again.
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