Do you want to migrate your WordPress site to another location? Do it in 3 easy steps with our Classic Install option.
If you want to overwrite an existing WordPress site, use Overwrite Install OR Import Install (Pro).
For a guided walkthrough, check out the video tutorial Duplicator Pro – Full WordPress Standard Migration Install beginning at 8:00 out of 24:57. This video showcases the process of the classic install method.
These steps will show you how to install/redeploy your WordPress site (Duplicator package) to a new location.
1. Create and Download Backup
Create a backup, then download the installer and archive files to the local computer from:
- Duplicator Packages Screen
Duplicator > Packages > Download > [installer.php and archive.zip]
- Package Details Screen:
Duplicator > Packages > More Items > General Section > Share File Links Button
Duplicator Pro > Packages > Package Overview > View Details button
- FTP: This option is not common and can be used if any issues arise with the “Packages Screen” option.
- Open an FTP client like FileZilla >FTP > Website Root Folder > Find “wp-content” Folder
- Find “backups-dup-pro” or “backups-dup-lite” Folder
- Find matching [hash-code]_installer.php with [hash-code]_archive.zip and download
- Cloud StoragePro Only
Dropbox: Go to dropbox.com OR Dropbox client on PC/MAC.
Google Drive: Go to drive.google.com OR Google client on PC/MAC.
OneDrive: Go to onedrive.live.com OR Onedrive client on PC/MAC.
Amazon S3: Go to Amazon AWS account
2. Transfer the Backup
Transfer both the archive.zip and matching installer.php files from your computer to the destination site.
There are two possible locations where the archive and installer files can be placed. One is on your local computer (localhost) and the other is on a remote host commonly referred to as your hosting provider.
-
Remote Host
Use FTP, cPanel, or your host’s file manager to transfer the archive.zip and installer.php downloaded in Step 1 to the remote server. Place both of the files in a new empty directory on your host where the files are accessible from a valid URL such as:
https://your-domain/installer.php
https://your-domain/your-wp-directory/installer.php.
The files can be placed on your web server’s root directory, but do not have to be placed there. On some hosts the root directory might be public_html -OR- www.and the host will allow files to be placed at that location. While other hosts do not allow files directly in the web server root folder. If you’re not sure where you can place the files then contact your hosting provider. Make sure the directories they are copied to have the correct permissions. -
Localhost
Be sure you have PHP, Apache and MySQL installed on your local computer with software such as XAMPP, Instant WordPress, or MAMP for MAC. Place the archive.zip and installer.php into any directory under your webroot or where they can be served up by your local webserver then continue with Step 3 below.
3. Install the Backup
- Open any web browser and browse to the ‘installer.php’ such as:
http(s)://your-domain/installer.php
http(s)://your-domain/[hashed-secure-data]_installer.php - In Step 1 Setup > Create Database and User > Enter Database Connection Info > Click Validate > Click Next
- Database Connection Tips:
- Most setups require the ‘Host’ field to be set to ‘localhost’
- To create a database, see this link “Create A New Database and User” or the one above- OR – contact your host to have them create the database and user and the info from them.
The Action “Remove All Data” will delete all tables from the database you connect to. Be 100% sure of the credentials used when choosing this action.
- Visit the FAQ for more database troubleshooting help
- On Step 3 > Click Next > Step 4 > Login > Site Migrated!!
How to Restart the install process:
- Remove all files and directories from where you just installed your site (except the installer and backup file).
- Hit your web browser’s back button or browse to the installer.php file again.
- Run the installer again.
How long should I wait for the installer to run?
The installation process may take a few minutes (never hours) depending on the speed of your system and the size of your content. Be patient and wait for the process to complete. Once the installation starts an install-log.txt file is created in the same directory as the installer.php and backup file. You can open up this file anytime during the installation and see the progress of the installation. You will have to refresh the page to see any process updates to the log file.- Open any web browser and browse to the ‘installer.php’ file such as:
http(s)://your-domain/installer.php
http(s)://your-domain/[hashed-secure-data]_installer.php - Database Connection Tips:
- Most setups require the ‘Host’ field to be set to ‘localhost’
- To create a database see this link “Create A New Database and User”. Alternatively, you can contact your host to have them create the database and user or get the correct information to use.
- The Action “Remove All Data” will delete all tables from the database you connect to. Be 100% sure of the credentials used when choosing this action. Consider using the “Backup and Rename Existing Tables” action if you’re new to this process. This will backup all the existing tables with a new prefix.
- Visit the FAQ for more database troubleshooting help On Step 1 Setup > Create Database and User >Enter Database Connection Info > Click Validate Button > Click Next Button
- Open any web browser and browse to the ‘installer.php’ file such as:
- On Step 2 > Login > Site Migrated!!