No, you can't go directly from 3.9.18 to 4.4.1 or 5.x.
For migrating to 4.4.x you need to get to at least v3.10.12 (the final version in the 3.x series, which is now obsolete).
There are additional issues you need to consider, such as compatible extensions (with J! 4.4) and minimum hosting requirements that need to be met. Following these instructions, you can hardly go wrong.
https://docs.joomla.org/J3.x:Updating_f ... ng_version (this should let you update from 3.9.18 to 3.10.12). For the Joomla Update to recognise the latest (3.10.12) you may need to change the Update Channel (the Joomla update server address) to "Joomla Next". You may be also able to update Joomla through the Upload and Update method, using the download packages found here: https://downloads.joomla.org/cms/joomla3. (Ensure you select the correct update package, the one labelled "Joomla! 3.10.12 Upgrade Package (.zip). This package is for performing updates from Joomla! 2.5 and previous 3.x releases to 3.10.12."
Migration from 3.10 to 4.x is a little more involved as a pre-update check will run to ensure your extensions and templates are 4.x compatible among other things and if not you will need to take additional action. These matters are documented here: https://docs.joomla.org/Joomla_3.x_to_4 ... _Migration
4.4 to 5.x is more complex again because as with 3.10 to 4.4, it runs an update check for extension and template compatibility and also for minimum hosting requirements which had a major change from 4.4 and 3.x.
If you feel that starting from scratch is best, then by all means, start with Joomla 4.4 or 5.0.1, install and recreate your site. https://downloads.joomla.org/latest
Some additional tips:
If you're starting new site development and want to use a test server, members of this forum often mention WAMPServer (Google it), which runs a web server on your PC (not live on the web). Easy to set up and use.
For Backups, most forum members would recommend Akeeba Backup, but you can use whatever is at your disposal such as your web host backup tool, or even simply an export of the database from phpMYAdmin, and make a copy of the system files in your current site.
For migrating to 4.4.x you need to get to at least v3.10.12 (the final version in the 3.x series, which is now obsolete).
There are additional issues you need to consider, such as compatible extensions (with J! 4.4) and minimum hosting requirements that need to be met. Following these instructions, you can hardly go wrong.
https://docs.joomla.org/J3.x:Updating_f ... ng_version (this should let you update from 3.9.18 to 3.10.12). For the Joomla Update to recognise the latest (3.10.12) you may need to change the Update Channel (the Joomla update server address) to "Joomla Next". You may be also able to update Joomla through the Upload and Update method, using the download packages found here: https://downloads.joomla.org/cms/joomla3. (Ensure you select the correct update package, the one labelled "Joomla! 3.10.12 Upgrade Package (.zip). This package is for performing updates from Joomla! 2.5 and previous 3.x releases to 3.10.12."
Migration from 3.10 to 4.x is a little more involved as a pre-update check will run to ensure your extensions and templates are 4.x compatible among other things and if not you will need to take additional action. These matters are documented here: https://docs.joomla.org/Joomla_3.x_to_4 ... _Migration
4.4 to 5.x is more complex again because as with 3.10 to 4.4, it runs an update check for extension and template compatibility and also for minimum hosting requirements which had a major change from 4.4 and 3.x.
If you feel that starting from scratch is best, then by all means, start with Joomla 4.4 or 5.0.1, install and recreate your site. https://downloads.joomla.org/latest
Some additional tips:
If you're starting new site development and want to use a test server, members of this forum often mention WAMPServer (Google it), which runs a web server on your PC (not live on the web). Easy to set up and use.
For Backups, most forum members would recommend Akeeba Backup, but you can use whatever is at your disposal such as your web host backup tool, or even simply an export of the database from phpMYAdmin, and make a copy of the system files in your current site.
Statistics: Posted by AMurray — Sat Dec 23, 2023 8:31 am