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How to Update WordPress 6.4.3 Maintenance & Security Release

How to Update WordPress 6.4.3 Maintenance & Security Release

This post, updated with each new release, will note any specific recommendations for each. If applicable, I’ll provide additional insight into new features and functionality. Plus, I’ll throw in some WordPress backup, updates, and other tips for your consideration.

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01.30.23: WordPress 6.4.3 Maintenance & Security Release

This security and maintenance release features 5 bug fixes on Core16 bug fixes for the Block Editor, and 2 security fixes.

Because this is a security release, it is recommended that you update your sites immediately. 

12.06.23: WordPress 6.4.2 Maintenance & Security Release

This minor release features 7 bug fixes in Core. The fixes include a bug fix for an issue causing stylesheet and theme directories to sometimes return incorrect results.

This release also features one security fix. Because this is a security release, it is recommended that you update your sites immediately.

The security team addressed the following vulnerability in this release.

  • A Remote Code Execution vulnerability that is not directly exploitable in core, however, the security team feels that there is a potential for high severity when combined with some plugins, especially in multisite installs.

You can download WordPress 6.4.2 from WordPress.org, or visit your WordPress Dashboard, click “Updates”, and then click “Update Now”. If you have sites that support automatic background updates, the update process will begin automatically.

WordPress 6.4.1 Maintenance Release

This minor release features four bug fixes. You can review a summary of the maintenance updates in this release by reading the Release Candidate announcement or viewing the list of tickets on Trac.

Say hello to WordPress 6.4 “Shirley”

Named after the iconic jazz artist Shirley Horn. Her distinctive voice and extraordinary connection to the piano established her as one of the leading jazz musicians of her generation.

This latest version of WordPress introduces a new, versatile default theme and a suite of upgrades to empower every step of your creative journey.

Whether you’re new to WordPress or an experienced creator, “Shirley” has something for you. Discover the unmatched flexibility of building with blocks and let your ideas take flight.

Many of the features and enhancements in WordPress 6.4 fall in the “small but mighty” category. Along with the adaptable beauty of the Twenty Twenty-Four theme, these updates help content creators and site developers alike save time and effort while delivering the high-value, low-hassle WordPress experience the world has grown to expect.
Josepha Haden Chomphosy

WordPress 6.4 Feature Overview

This momentous release opens new possibilities for designers, creators, and builders to express themselves creatively. Powerful tools and refined controls give users confidence and allow them to manage their sites easily.

  • Experience site editing at its finest with Twenty Twenty-Four. This new multi-faceted default theme has been thoughtfully crafted for three distinct use cases: writers, artists, and entrepreneurs.
  • New enhancements ensure your content creation journey is smooth. Find new keyboard shortcuts in List View, smarter list merging, and enhanced control over link settings. 
  • The Command Palette is a powerful tool to quickly find what you need, perform tasks efficiently, and speed up your building workflow. Enjoy a refreshed design and new commands to perform block-specific actions in this release.
  • Patterns are an excellent way to leverage the potential of blocks and simplify your site-building process. WordPress 6.4 allows you to organize them with custom categories.
  • Build beautiful and functional layouts with an expanded set of design tools. Play with background images in Group blocks for unique designs and maintain image dimensions consistent with placeholder aspect ratios.
  • Enable lightbox functionality to let your site visitors enjoy full-screen, interactive images on click.
  • Set custom names for Group blocks to organize and distinguish areas of your content easily.
  • New previews for Gallery and Image blocks in List View.
  • Plus, much more… Get the full scoop here…

You can download WordPress 6.4 from WordPress.org or visit your WordPress Dashboard, click “Updates,” and then click “Update Now.”

Explore the WordPress 6.4 Field Guide 


WordPress Hosting Recommendations:

  • PHP version 7.4 or greater.
  • MySQL version 5.7 or greater OR MariaDB version 10.3 or greater.
  • Apache or Nginx are the most robust options for running WordPress, but neither is required.

Note: If you are in a legacy environment with only older PHP or MySQL versions, WordPress also works with PHP 5.6.20+ and MySQL 5.0+, but these versions have reached official End Of Life status and, as such, may expose your site to security vulnerabilities.


BEFORE UPDATING WORDPRESS

WARNING: The upgrade process will impact all files and folders included in the main WordPress installation. This includes all the core files used to run WordPress. If you have made any changes to those files, your changes will be lost.

WordPress Updating Tips

IMPORTANT

When updating WordPress themes or plugins, following a few simple steps can save you some headaches. First, double-check with theme and plugin developers *before* updating that they have tested to the latest version of WordPress.

You want to review if they have any concerns or comments about your theme and the new version. For example, some theme shops may ask you to delay updating if their testing reflects issues they must address first.

Your theme developer may then advise that you update your theme before updating WordPress. The benefit of using a quality premium theme and plugins means the developer(s) are always on top of this.

If you are unsure how an update will impact your current website setup, you can do a dry run in your staging area. Check out my article: What’s a Staging Site and Why Do I Need One?

Step-by-step WordPress Update Instructions

To help you safely and efficiently update to the most recent version of WordPress, check out my article Quick and Easy WordPress backup tips.

It is not just WordPress…

Don’t forget to update your plugins as required. With each WordPress update, you’ll see that plugin developers also update their plugins, which you can do with one click. In addition, you’ll see the nag bar under the plugin name in the plugins area with a link “update now.”

After an update, you have a couple of options if something is not working as it was.

When it comes to plugins, if the developer is not testing their plugin to work with the latest WordPress version, find another plugin whose developer is on top of these things.

Always Backup and Update Promptly

Updating should not be ignored or put off. Every update includes security hardening, and that’s why hackers always target sites that are not maintained.

That said, I generally wait a day or two (if it is not an emergency security update) to let any bugs that can be discovered once a new version is out in the wild. It is not uncommon to see maintenance releases come shortly after a primary release due to unforeseen issues. Let’s face it; there is no way to test for 100% of the environments and combinations on the millions of WordPress websites out there.

When you promptly address WordPress updates and stay on top of Premium Theme and plugin updates, you are in step with technology and ensure your website is secure and has the best chance to function error-free.

At your service,

Judith, WordPress Consultant
Trusted and Reliable WordPress Products and Services