Upgrading MySQL

This section describes the steps to upgrade a MySQL installation.

Upgrading is a common procedure, as you pick up bug fixes within the same MySQL release series or significant features between major MySQL releases. You perform this procedure first on some test systems to make sure everything works smoothly, and then on the production systems.

Before You Begin

  1. Protect your data by creating a backup. The backup should include the mysql system database, which contains the MySQL data dictionary tables and system tables either by Backups mysqldump or copying table files from MySQL data directory (default is in C:ProgramDataMySQLMySQL Server 8.0Data)

  2. Upgrade from MySQL 5.7 to 8.0 is supported. However, upgrade is only supported between General Availability (GA) releases. For MySQL 8.0, it is required that you upgrade from a MySQL 5.7 GA release (5.7.9 or higher). Upgrades from non-GA releases of MySQL 5.7 are not supported.

  3. Upgrading to the latest release is recommended before upgrading to the next version. For example, upgrade to the latest MySQL 5.7 release before upgrading to MySQL 8.0.

  4. Upgrade that skips versions is not supported. For example, upgrading directly from MySQL 5.6 to 8.0 is not supported.

  5. Once a release series reaches General Availability (GA) status, upgrade within the release series (from one GA version to another GA version) is supported. For example, upgrading from MySQL 8.0.x to 8.0.y is supported. (Upgrade involving development-status non-GA releases is not supported.) Skipping a release is also supported. For example, upgrading from MySQL 8.0.x to 8.0.z is supported. MySQL 8.0.11 is the first GA status release within the MySQL 8.0 release series.

Upgrading MySQL on Windows Server

Using MySQL Installer Method

Performing an upgrade with MySQL Installer is the best approach when the current server installation was performed with it and the upgrade is within the current release series. MySQL Installer does not support upgrades between release series, such as from 5.7 to 8.0, and it does not provide an upgrade indicator to prompt you to upgrade.

Upgrading MySQL with installer have similar steps with Installation MySQL with installer.

  1. Start MySQL Installer.

  2. From the dashboard, click Catalog to download the latest changes to the catalog. The installed server can be upgraded only if the dashboard displays an arrow next to the version number of the server.

  3. Click Upgrade. All products that have a newer version now appear in a list.

  4. Deselect all but the MySQL server product, unless you intend to upgrade other products at this time, and click Next.

  5. Click Execute to start the download. When the download finishes, click Next to begin the upgrade operation.

  6. Configure the server.