---
title: "Classic Install - The basic 4-step restore"
url: https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations/classic-install
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-20
alternate:
  vi: https://phatdev.net/docs/sl-migrations/classic-install
markdown: https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations/classic-install.md
---

# Classic Install - The basic 4-step restore

Part of the doc set: [SL Migrations](https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations.md)

> The classic install workflow, the most familiar and simplest.

## Classic Install

This is the default mode when you upload `installer.php` and the archive to an empty web root. The workflow is 4 simple UI steps.

## Requirements

- An **empty** web root (containing only `installer.php` and the archive)
- An empty database and a user with `ALL PRIVILEGES`
- PHP 7.4+, zip extension

## Steps

### Step 1: Deployment

The installer extracts the archive into the web root. You can choose the extraction engine:
- **DupArchive** - the plugin's own engine, supports archives of any size
- **ZipArchive** - PHP's native engine, simple
- **Shell Exec** - calls the system `unzip` command (if your hosting allows it)

### Step 2: Install Database

Enter:
- **Host** (usually `localhost`)
- **Database**: the database name
- **User** / **Password**: credentials of a user with ALL PRIVILEGES
- **Port**: 3306 (default)

The installer tests the connection → imports the SQL dump → recreates the tables and data.

### Step 3: Update Data

Search & replace the old URL with the new one (if the domain changes). The plugin scans the whole database and updates serialized data correctly (without breaking its structure).

### Step 4: Test Site

The installer redirects to `/wp-admin` so you can log in and verify.

## When it is done

- Log in to wp-admin → check that the site is up correctly
- Verify that the installer has deleted its temporary files - see the [list of files to remove](https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations/which-files-need-to-be-removed-after-an-install)
- Test the main pages, forms and checkout (if you use WooCommerce)

## How it differs from the other modes

| Mode | Destination site | Existing WordPress? |
|---|---|---|
| **Classic** | Empty web root | No |
| **Overwrite** | Has WP, which will be overwritten | Yes |
| **Import** | Has WP, import runs inside wp-admin | Yes |
| **Two-part** | Large site, split into steps | Either |

## See also

- [Quick Start](https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations/quick-start)
- [Overwrite Install](https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations/overwrite-install)