This common text is used in both the upgrade and update articles. 1 numbered parameter, the possible values are:

• upgrade
• update (default)

Run the Upgrading Tool

The final step in upgrading SMF, is to run the upgrading tool. Navigate with your browser to the upgrade.php file (it can be found in the directory where SMF is located) and run the upgrade. In example: www.yourdomain.com/forum/upgrade.php.

Upgrade Settings

Backup database with the prefix "backup_"

Selecting this option will get the upgrade tool to copy all data in the database before upgrading within the original database.

Maintenance Mode

Selecting this option will place the forum into maintenance mode while upgrading rather than showing errors, this is highly recommended.

Output extra debugging information.

The upgrade tool can give detailed information while performing an upgrade by selecting this option, it will aid the support team to solve any errors if they occur while upgrading.

Finishing the Update Process

Once all parts of the update have completed, check the box to remove the upgrade files from the server. If this does not work, they will need to be deleted via FTP. All upgrade files should be removed from the server once the upgrade process is complete. These files are upgrade.php and the .sql files whose name starts with 'upgrade'. They are a major security risk if they are left on a server unattended. Once SMF has been upgraded, they are no longer needed.