# Upgrade using patch

### Using patch

A small patch file is usually made available for a minor version upgrade. You'll need to download [patch](w:patch_(Unix) "wikilink") to use this Manually download and extract the patch file from [the dumps site](https://releases.wikimedia.org/mediawiki/) or follow the directions with wget below. Patches are incremental, you can **not** skip a version.

1. <kbd>cd</kbd> to your main MediaWiki directory (the one with LocalSettings.php)

1. Download the patch file and <kbd>unzip</kbd> it.

1. Use `patch -p1 --dry-run` to check what will be changed (*e.g.*, `patch -p1 --dry-run -i `*`mediawiki-x.xx.x.patch`*)

1. If all is well, run <kbd>patch</kbd> again without `--dry-run`

1. Check your Special:Version and you should see the new version number in place.