APG vNext Upgrade Guide

This guide explains how to upgrade an existing APG vNext installation to the latest version. Always back up your database and files before upgrading.

Before You Begin

  • Back up your SQL Server database using SQL Server Management Studio or a scheduled backup.
  • Back up all forum files, especially web.config and any custom skin/theme files.
  • Check the Current Known Issues page for any upgrade-specific notes.
  • Put your forum in maintenance mode via Admin Panel → Settings → Maintenance Mode.

Step 1: Run the Database Upgrade Script

  • Open SQL Server Management Studio and connect to your forum database.
  • Run the Upgrade_vX_to_vY.sql script included in the download package (where X is your current version and Y is the target version).
  • Verify the script completes without errors before proceeding.

Step 2: Replace Application Files

  • Extract the new version ZIP file.
  • Copy all new files to your forum directory, overwriting existing files.
  • Do not overwrite your customized web.config — merge any new configuration keys manually.
  • Preserve your custom skin/theme files in the App_Themes folder.

Step 3: Verify the Upgrade

  • Browse to your forum and confirm it loads without errors.
  • Log in as Administrator and check the Admin Panel → About page to confirm the new version number.
  • Test key functionality: posting, user registration, and admin features.
  • Disable maintenance mode once everything is confirmed working.

Upgrading from Version 2.x

Upgrading from version 2.x requires an additional data migration step to convert character encoding from ANSI to Unicode. See the Upgrade from 2.x guide for full instructions.

If you encounter any issues, post in the Support Forum with your error details.