Updating Theme Files

This tutorial explains how to update your ProPhoto theme files. You should only need to do this when working with Tech Support to fix a problem, since ProPhoto 4 can automatically update itself when you log in to WordPress whenever there is a new version available.

These instructions do not apply to upgrading ProPhoto – see the Upgrade ProPhoto page.
These instructions do not apply to installing Add-On Designs – see the Installing ProPhoto Designs page.
If you’re using Safari on Mac, downloading a zip file may automatically unzip the file after download.
In the Safari menu bar go to “Safari” > “Preferences” > “General” and uncheck the “Open ‘safe’ files after downloading” option. Download the zip file again.

Step 1 : Save the latest version of ProPhoto

If you haven’t done so already, save the zip file we provided on your computer. Keep track of where you save it, as you will need it in a few steps.

If you are updating an existing ProPhoto setup, you can download the latest build of ProPhoto right from within the software – just go here:
“ProPhoto” > “Customize” > “Site Settings” > “Misc.” > “ProPhoto Updates”
Scroll down to find a button which will allow you to download the software zip file. Don’t see the button, or having trouble downloading? Please contact us.

Click the download button to receive the latest ProPhoto zip file

Step 2 : Activate the Default Theme temporarily

Go to “Appearance” > “Themes” and activate any other WordPress theme.
Be aware that once you do this, your blog is going to look different for just a bit, but don’t worry, it’s just temporary until your update is complete. You won’t lose any of your ProPhoto customizations because they are stored in your WordPress database. (Just be aware that after you activate another theme, you may see a message telling you to “Update” that theme as well. You can ignore that update message. You’re just using this other theme temporarily and it has nothing to do with updating ProPhoto. Just proceed to the steps below.)

Step 3: Delete the old version of ProPhoto

After activating the default theme, click to delete the ProPhoto theme software.

This sounds scary, but don’t worry, none of your customizations or custom images will be deleted when you do this.

If, when trying to delete ProPhoto you are prompted for Connection Information (hostname, username, password) skip the rest of this tutorial and follow the manual ProPhoto update guide instead.

Step 4: Upload and activate the newer version of ProPhoto

Upload ProPhoto Zip File

In your WordPress admin area, go to “Appearance” > “Themes”.

Then, click the “Install Themes” tab near the top of the page and click on “Upload”. Then browse to and upload the prophoto4.zip file you just downloaded.

NOTE: If you do not see the “Install Themes” tab, you may be using WordPress.com which does not permit custom Theme uploads. As our requirements state, you must have a self-hosted WordPress installation – click here for instructions.

Activate ProPhoto Theme

After it uploads successfully, click the “Activate” link to activate the ProPhoto theme.

Register ProPhoto

Once you activate ProPhoto, you’ll be required to enter your registration information. Enter the Email address and Transaction ID exactly as shown in your purchase confirmation Email.

After activation, you will be presented with a confirmation screen and a short video that will give you great information about working with WordPress and ProPhoto.

Be sure to use the ProPhoto Support built into each area of the Customize area for tips, tutorials, and videos helping you along the way.

Upgraders: Learn how to import your Inactive Designs by clicking here

Potential Problems:

If, when trying to upload your zip file you get an error that says something like “Unable to create directory /home/user/public_html/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07” then follow the tutorial here, and that should fix the problem.
If everything just freezes up during the upload process, or you get a different error when trying to upload, you may need to upload the theme manually. It is a relatively simple process that you can learn here.
If you’re using a Mac and the Safari browser, the zip file may have been automatically unzipped when you downloaded. It’s best to use the original zip file, so open Safari and in the menu bar go to “Safari” > “Preferences” > “General”. Find the option that says “Open ‘safe’ files after downloading” and uncheck it. Then re-download the prophoto zip file.

This tutorial explains how to update your ProPhoto theme files. You should only need to do this when working with Tech Support to fix a problem.

These instructions do not apply to upgrading ProPhoto – see the Upgrade ProPhoto page.
If you’re using Safari on Mac, downloading a zip file may automatically unzip the file after download.
In the Safari menu bar go to “Safari” > “Preferences” > “General” and uncheck the “Open ‘safe’ files after downloading” option. Download the zip file again.

Step 1 : Download the latest version of ProPhoto from our site

If you haven’t done so already, click on the link within the update message box at the top of your blog’s admin area. This will verify your registration and then take you to a page on our site where you can download the latest version of ProPhoto. Keep track of where you downloaded zip file went as you will need it in a few steps. This step requires that you have entered correct registration information for your blog installation.

Step 2 : Activate the Default Theme temporarily

Go to “Appearance” > “Themes” and activate the default WordPress theme, called “TwentyTen”. (You can activate any theme, if you don’t have “TwentyTen” then just activate any other theme.) Be aware that once you do this, your blog is going to look different for just a bit, but don’t worry, it’s just temporary until your update is complete. You haven’t lost any of your ProPhoto customizations.

(Just be aware that after you activate “TwentyTen” or another theme, you may see a message telling you to “Update” that theme as well. You can ignore that update message. You’re just using this other theme temporarily and it has nothing to do with updating ProPhoto. Just proceed to Step 2 below.)

Step 3: Delete the old version of ProPhoto

After activating the default theme, click to delete the ProPhoto theme.

This sounds scary, but don’t worry, none of your customizations or custom images will be deleted when you do this. Your images are stored in a different folder that does not get deleted when you click this button, and your settings are stored in the WordPress database.

If, when trying to delete ProPhoto you are prompted for Connection Information (hostname, username, password) then you’ll need to do the update manually with FTP. Click here for detailed instructions and don’t use the rest of this tutorial.