Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

How to Download Older Versions of WordPress

WordPress is undoubtedly one of the most popular content management systems out there. It powers over 40% of all websites online today. However, not every update to WordPress is always favorable, and users sometimes find themselves wanting to revert to an older version. In this article, we will go over how to download and install an older version of WordPress.

Why Download Older Versions of WordPress?

There are several reasons why you might want to download an older version of WordPress. The primary reasons are:

• Compatibility: Some plugins or themes may not be compatible with the latest version of WordPress, and the developers may still be working to update them.
• Legacy Support: Sometimes, older websites that have been around for a while may need to revert to an older version of WordPress to ensure compatibility with custom-built themes or plugins.
• Testing: Developers and website owners may need to test a new plugin or theme on an older version of WordPress to check for compatibility issues before upgrading.

Step-by-Step Guide to Downloading an Older Version of WordPress

1. Go to wordpress.org and scroll down to "Release Archive." Here you will find all the previous versions of WordPress.
2. Select the version that you want to download. Ensure it is compatible with your plugins and themes.
3. Once you've chosen the version, click on the "Download" button in the right-hand column.
4. After the download is complete, you should have a .zip file on your computer. Extract the contents of the file.
5. Using an FTP client, log in to your website server and navigate to the "wp-content" directory.
6. Rename the "plugins" directory to "plugins_old" (this step is optional, but it ensures the plugins are disabled temporarily).
7. Delete the "wp-admin" and "wp-includes" directories in your server's root directory.
8. Upload the extracted contents of the WordPress zip file (without the "wp-content" directory) to the server root directory.
9. Once the upload is complete, go to your website and check if everything is working as expected. Re-enable the plugins by renaming the "plugins_old" directory back to "plugins."

Conclusion

While updating to the latest version of WordPress is recommended, sometimes it may be necessary to download and install an older version. Follow our step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth installation process. However, always remember to keep your WordPress site updated to the latest version to stay up-to-date with the latest security patches, bug fixes, and improvements.