Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

How to download a new version of WordPress

WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems on the internet. It powers millions of websites, from personal blogs to e-commerce sites. As with any software, WordPress needs to be regularly updated to ensure it stays secure and functional. In this article, we will guide you through the steps on how to download a new version of WordPress.

Step 1: Backup your website

Before upgrading WordPress, it is important to take a backup of your website. This ensures that you can restore your website in case anything goes wrong during the upgrade process. There are numerous backup plugins available for WordPress, but a popular choice is UpdraftPlus.

Step 2: Check the system requirements

Before downloading the latest version of WordPress, you need to make sure that your website meets the system requirements. These can be found on the WordPress website. Typically, the requirements include a certain version of PHP and MySQL. If your website doesn't meet the requirements, you may need to upgrade your hosting package or contact your hosting provider.

Step 3: Download the latest version of WordPress

The latest version of WordPress can be downloaded from the official website. Once you're on the website, click on the "Download WordPress" button. This will download a ZIP file containing all the necessary files.

Step 4: Extract the downloaded ZIP file

Once the file has been downloaded, extract it to a folder on your computer. You can use a file compression program, such as WinZip or WinRAR, to extract the files.

Step 5: Upload the files to your website

You can upload the extracted files to your website using an FTP client. Once the files have been uploaded, you can log in to the WordPress dashboard and run the upgrade process. This can be done by clicking on the "Update WordPress" button.

Step 6: Verify the upgrade

Once the upgrade process completes, you should verify that your website is functioning correctly. Check all the pages, posts, plugins, and themes to ensure that they work as expected. If you encounter any issues, you can restore your website from the backup.

In conclusion, downloading and upgrading to the latest version of WordPress is a simple process that can be carried out in a few easy steps. By following these steps, you can ensure that your website stays secure and up-to-date.