Difference between revisions of "Upgrading"

From WHMCS Documentation

(Performing an Upgrade)
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If you choose to upgrade yourself, please follow the instructions below and in the release notes for the specific version to ensure a successful upgrade.
 
If you choose to upgrade yourself, please follow the instructions below and in the release notes for the specific version to ensure a successful upgrade.
  
You can upgrade from '''any''' WHMCS version from 3.2 onwards to the latest.  You '''do not''' need to do each incremental release between your current version & the latest in order to upgrade.  Simply download the full release package for the latest version as described below and then follow the upgrade instructions linked to in the included '''README.txt''' file.
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You can upgrade from '''any''' WHMCS version from 3.2 onwards to the latest.  You '''do not''' need to apply individual updates made between your currently installed version and the latest in order to upgrade.  Instead you just need to download the latest full release package from our members area and then follow the upgrade instructions detailed below.
  
===Downloading the Latest Version===
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==Downloading the Latest Version==
  
#Begin by logging in to the client area @ http://www.whmcs.com/members/clientarea.php or obtain the latest version from your web host if you received your key from them
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#Begin by logging in to the members area @ https://www.whmcs.com/members/clientarea.php (Note: If you do not have a login for our members area, this indicates your key has been obtained via a reseller and they should provide the latest WHMCS files to you)
 
#Navigate to '''Services > Licenses & Services'''
 
#Navigate to '''Services > Licenses & Services'''
 
#Select one of your active license keys and click '''View Details'''
 
#Select one of your active license keys and click '''View Details'''
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#The latest stable release can then be downloaded using the large green "Download Now" button
 
#The latest stable release can then be downloaded using the large green "Download Now" button
  
===Performing an Upgrade===
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==Upgrade Steps==
  
The steps needed to upgrade WHMCS can vary from version to version and so full steps, including any template changes required for each version are included in the Release Notes below. However, the general process for upgrading always remains the same:
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The steps needed to upgrade WHMCS always the remain the same from version to version.  However some updates may require additional steps which are unique to them.  Should these be required you will find them in the [[Release Notes]]. Please always refer to the release notes for a version before attempting any upgrade.
  
#Begin by taking a full backup of your WHMCS system - both files and database using a tool such as phpMyAdmin
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'''Backup Backup Backup - We cannot stress enough how important it is to *always* take a full backup before attempting any kind of upgrade. Both for WHMCS and any other software you use. A full backup should be taken of both the WHMCS files and the database.---
#If you have customized any language files please create a new folder within the /lang folder naming it 'overrides'. Move your existing language files here
 
#If you have customized the standard template files please ensure that you have renamed the folder to avoid your customizations being overwritten
 
#Now download the latest WHMCS version either from our client area ([[Upgrading#Downloading_the_Latest_Version]]) or from the provider of your license
 
#Next, unzip the contents of the WHMCS zip file download to a folder on your computer
 
#Now if you have customised your WHMCS admin folder name, you should rename the admin folder in the new files to match. If you have customised the locations of the /crons directory, be sure to upload to the custom location.
 
#Upload the new files to your existing installation folder replacing any existing folders & files
 
#Visit the admin area as you normally would to login and you should then be automatically redirected to the upgrade script. If this is not shown automatically, please manually visit /install/install.php to invoke the upgrade process.
 
#Accept the license agreement
 
#If you are prompted for any database information *STOP*, this indicates the configuration.php file is missing and so a new install is being attempted - you need to restore the configuration.php before continuing
 
#Tick to confirm you have backed up your database and click the upgrade button to complete
 
#Once the updates finish, delete the install folder from your server
 
#Now proceed to update your custom templates with any new or changed files in the version you've upgraded to. These are listed in the ''Template Changes'' section of our Release Notes (see below).
 
#Finally clear your browser cache or perform a hard refresh (Ctrl + F5) and delete the contents of the template cache directory (usually called ''templates_c'') to ensure you see the new templates.
 
  
==Release Notes==
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Remember: If you have customised templates, always follow the recommended method for [[Client_Area_Template_Files#Creating_a_Custom_Template|creating a custom template folder]] to ensure your changes aren't overwritten during upgrades.  Similarly for language customisations please ensure you use the [[Language Overrides]] feature vs editing the language files directly.
  
{{:Release Notes}}
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#Begin by obtaining the latest full release download of WHMCS as described above
 +
#Unzip the contents of the WHMCS zip file download to a folder on your computer
 +
#Upload the new files to your existing installation folder replacing any existing folders & files ''(If you have customised your WHMCS admin folder name, be sure to upload the admin folder updates to your custom folder name. Similarly, if you have customised the location of the /crons/ directory, be sure to upload that to the custom location.)''
 +
#Next visit the admin area as you normally would to login and you will then be automatically redirected to the upgrade script. If you see a message saying WHMCS is not installed, this indicates you have overwritten the configuration.php file for your installation.  Stop and restore that file from your backup before continuing.
 +
#Agree to the WHMCS End User License Agreement and follow the steps on screen to upgrade your database.
 +
#When prompted, delete the install folder from your server.
 +
#Your upgrade is now complete.
 +
 
 +
At this stage, typically in any Feature or Maintenance releases you will need to apply any of the new or changed template files to your custom template folder(s).  Please refer to the [[Release Notes]] of the version you are upgrading to for an itemized list of template changes.
 +
 
 +
==Tips & Tricks==
 +
 
 +
'''Bad Formatting'''
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If when you first login you see a display where formatting is mixed or unclear, this can indiciate your browser cache has not updated.  Try clearing your browser cache or performing a hard refresh (typically Ctrl + F5) and delete the contents of the template cache directory (''templates_c'' by default) to ensure you see the new templates and styling.

Revision as of 13:26, 20 November 2013

We aim to make upgrading WHMCS as simple as possible. Below we hope to provide everything you might need in order to successfully and confidently update your WHMCS installation.

Upgrade Service

We offer a professional upgrade service where our staff will upgrade your WHMCS installation for you. Please refer to http://www.whmcs.com/services/upgrade-service/ for more information and to order that.

Manually Upgrading

Watch Video Tutorial


If you choose to upgrade yourself, please follow the instructions below and in the release notes for the specific version to ensure a successful upgrade.

You can upgrade from any WHMCS version from 3.2 onwards to the latest. You do not need to apply individual updates made between your currently installed version and the latest in order to upgrade. Instead you just need to download the latest full release package from our members area and then follow the upgrade instructions detailed below.

Downloading the Latest Version

  1. Begin by logging in to the members area @ https://www.whmcs.com/members/clientarea.php (Note: If you do not have a login for our members area, this indicates your key has been obtained via a reseller and they should provide the latest WHMCS files to you)
  2. Navigate to Services > Licenses & Services
  3. Select one of your active license keys and click View Details
  4. Now select the Downloads tab
  5. The latest stable release can then be downloaded using the large green "Download Now" button

Upgrade Steps

The steps needed to upgrade WHMCS always the remain the same from version to version. However some updates may require additional steps which are unique to them. Should these be required you will find them in the Release Notes. Please always refer to the release notes for a version before attempting any upgrade.

Backup Backup Backup - We cannot stress enough how important it is to *always* take a full backup before attempting any kind of upgrade. Both for WHMCS and any other software you use. A full backup should be taken of both the WHMCS files and the database.---

Remember: If you have customised templates, always follow the recommended method for creating a custom template folder to ensure your changes aren't overwritten during upgrades. Similarly for language customisations please ensure you use the Language Overrides feature vs editing the language files directly.

  1. Begin by obtaining the latest full release download of WHMCS as described above
  2. Unzip the contents of the WHMCS zip file download to a folder on your computer
  3. Upload the new files to your existing installation folder replacing any existing folders & files (If you have customised your WHMCS admin folder name, be sure to upload the admin folder updates to your custom folder name. Similarly, if you have customised the location of the /crons/ directory, be sure to upload that to the custom location.)
  4. Next visit the admin area as you normally would to login and you will then be automatically redirected to the upgrade script. If you see a message saying WHMCS is not installed, this indicates you have overwritten the configuration.php file for your installation. Stop and restore that file from your backup before continuing.
  5. Agree to the WHMCS End User License Agreement and follow the steps on screen to upgrade your database.
  6. When prompted, delete the install folder from your server.
  7. Your upgrade is now complete.

At this stage, typically in any Feature or Maintenance releases you will need to apply any of the new or changed template files to your custom template folder(s). Please refer to the Release Notes of the version you are upgrading to for an itemized list of template changes.

Tips & Tricks

Bad Formatting If when you first login you see a display where formatting is mixed or unclear, this can indiciate your browser cache has not updated. Try clearing your browser cache or performing a hard refresh (typically Ctrl + F5) and delete the contents of the template cache directory (templates_c by default) to ensure you see the new templates and styling.