Documentation forWeb Help Desk
Thinking of upgrading to the cloud? Learn more about migrating from Web Help Desk to Service Desk.

Prepare your WHD environment to upgrade

The information on this page applies only to WHD 2026.2.1. For guidance related to other versions, see Web Help Desk Previous Version Documentation.

When you are ready to upgrade, complete the steps in this section. They include the common actions you need to complete before upgrading products.

If you have a test or staging environment, SolarWinds recommends testing the upgrade first. You cannot roll back an installation once completed.

1. Back up the database

Back up your WHD SolarWinds SQL database. If you need help, please check your vendor's site for documentation and instructions.

You cannot roll back an upgrade. Always create a database backup.
2. Exclude files on anti-virus software

To ensure the best performance on your server host and provide full file access, exclude specific file paths and directories from anti-virus software scans.

You can also place your systems behind a firewall to completely disable your anti-virus software during an upgrade.

The Pre-Upgrade Suggestions page

The Pre-Upgrade Suggestions page is displayed during upgrades of existing Web Help Desk (WHD) installations. It provides important information, warnings, and recommendations to help ensure a successful upgrade experience.

The page is displayed only during upgrades and does not appear for new installations.

Confirmation requirement

Before continuing with the upgrade, users must acknowledge that they have reviewed the information presented on the page.

  1. Review the findings, warnings, and suggestions.

  2. Select the acknowledgment checkbox.

  3. Click Next to proceed with the upgrade.

The Next button remains disabled until the acknowledgment checkbox is selected.

Upgrade suggestions report

After a successful upgrade, the installer generates an Upgrade Suggestions Report containing the findings, warnings, and recommendations identified during the upgrade assessment.

Report Location: <webhelpdesk>/log/whd-upgrade-suggestions.txt

Important: Retain this report for reference and review any recommended post-upgrade actions to ensure the upgraded environment is configured correctly.