How to Update WordPress Releases, Plugins and Themes automatically

So, what do you do if you see an update message (“#wordpress xx.x is available! Please update now”) in your WordPress Admin Screens? Never ignore that message. There are enormous variety of Scams and other malicious activities circulating around the internet. When wordpress notice a new malicious activity, they add updates to defend against them. WordPress constantly add new features, improvements and release ‘updates’ at regular intervals. Well, not just the WordPress core, but also plugins and themes providers also release ‘updates’ at regular intervals.

Check current site for updates
To check your website for WordPress Core, plugin, or theme updates, log into your wordpress admin and click Dashboard>>Updates.

You can see list of updates there.

Note: If a WordPress Plugin update is available, it also will be shown on the Plugin’s menu title, and on the Plugin List Page. If a WordPress theme update is available, it also will be shown on the theme List Page(Appearance>>Themes). You should always update WordPress Releases, Plugins and Themes to the latest version to make sure your website is also up-to-date with new features and security updates.

Version 3.7 onwards WordPress introduced automatic updates for minor releases (For example, it will automatically update itself from WordPress 3.7 to 3.7.1.). But this Auto update is not enabled for major releases like 3.7 to 3.8.

Update/upgrade your WordPress core, themes and plugins easily

Sure, updating can be a pain, but now you are able to update/upgrade your WordPress and plugins to a newer version easily and users never even realize that WordPress has updated. If your site is hosted with a managed WordPress hosting, the host usually takes care of automatic updates. For other users, you can enable automatic updates in 2 different ways.

Method1: Using Advanced Automatic Updates plugin

• Install and activate Advanced Automatic Updates plugin. (refer the article >> How to install a WordPress Plugin)

  

• Configure the settings
  Go to the settings page by clicking Settings >> Advanced Automatic Updates.

  

• Select your options and click “Save Changes.

  

Method2: Edit your wp-config.php file

• Login to the Cpanel and then click on the File Manager icon in the Files section.

  

• You’ll see a pop-up window. Select your site and click on GO in order to proceed.

  

• The wp-config.php is the file contained in the root of your WordPress file directory. Click on it and from the top menu choose “Edit”.

  

• Add the following to enable major WordPress Releases updates
  Add the following line of code in your site’s wp-config.php file.
  
  Add the following to enable plugins updates
  Add the following line of code in your site’s wp-config.php file.

  

  Add the following to enable themes updates
  Add the following line of code in your site’s wp-config.php file.

  

• Once you’ve finished editing the file click on SAVE CHANGES in the top right hand corner.