Starting A Legacy DotNetNuke Upgrade? Here’s What You Need to Know First
If your organization is still running on an older version of DotNetNuke (DNN), you’re not alone. Plenty of teams are maintaining legacy DNN sites that have been stable, reliable, and central to operations for years.
But as time passes, you may start to notice small cracks: a module that no longer works, browser quirks, or an inability to find developers who still work in DNN 7 or 8. That’s when the thought of “maybe we should upgrade” starts creeping in — and with it, a lot of questions.
This post is here to help you understand what’s involved, where the risks are, and how to approach a DNN migration with confidence (and as little disruption as possible).
Why Many Organizations Still Use Legacy DNN
Legacy doesn’t mean broken. In fact, one of the reasons DotNetNuke stuck around for so long is because it’s solid. Older DNN versions power association portals, internal tools, member dashboards, event registration systems — often with custom modules or deep integrations.
So why upgrade? The short answer is: things are changing around your site, even if your site stays the same.
What “Legacy” Really Means in the DNN World
When we talk about “legacy DotNetNuke upgrades,” we’re usually referring to:
DNN version 7.x or earlier
DNN version 8.x
Early 9.x releases that predate significant UI and framework changes
Older versions might still run — but they:
Lack security patches for modern threats
Aren’t mobile-responsive by today’s standards
Can break when modules or server environments are updated
May depend on technologies (like Web Forms) that are fading out of modern hosting
🚨 The Risks of Delaying an Upgrade
It’s easy to put off an upgrade when “everything still works.” But under the surface, you’re sitting on borrowed time. Here’s why:
Security vulnerabilities: Older versions aren’t patched, leaving your site exposed to hacks, data leaks, and malicious users.
Loss of support: Most third-party vendors have moved on, and finding developers who still work with legacy DNN code is getting harder by the month.
Performance degradation: As tech evolves, older codebases become fragile. You’re missing out on speed, scalability, and modern UX improvements.
Rising upgrade costs: The longer you wait, the more technical debt accumulates — making future upgrades more complex, expensive, and risky.
Bottom line: The longer you wait, the harder (and costlier) it gets.
What a Smart DNN Migration Plan Looks Like
The best migrations start with a plan — not just a version number.
Here’s what we recommend:
Audit your current site
Inventory your modules, integrations, themes, and any custom code.Check for compatibility
Are your modules still supported? Will your theme break on the latest version?Create a dev environment
Never upgrade live. Use staging sites and backups to test the process.Handle upgrades in stages
Depending on your version, you may need to step through multiple upgrade points. Follow the documented upgrade path.Modernize as you go
Use this as a chance to improve UX, mobile design, or accessibility.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Legacy DotNetNuke upgrades aren’t rocket science, but there are traps:
Skipping upgrades: Jumping too far ahead without testing intermediate versions
Assuming modules will “just work” after upgrading
Overlooking design changes: Themes and layouts may need to be rebuilt
Underestimating testing: Especially with integrations or COTS modules
The result? A site that upgrades successfully — but doesn’t actually function the way it used to.
❌ What You Don’t Have to Do
You don’t have to start from scratch
You don’t need to abandon DNN if it still fits your organization
You don’t need to know every detail — but it helps to know what to ask
Sometimes a well-executed upgrade is all you need to get several more years of value from your existing system.
Tools, Resources, and a Bit of Help
If you’re doing this internally, the official DNN documentation and upgrade guides are great places to start. Community forums and GitHub discussions can also surface insights, especially around module compatibility.
Some other helpful steps:
Use a compatibility checker for key modules
Talk to your hosting provider to make sure they support the needed framework
If in doubt, get a second opinion — a migration roadmap can save you hours (or weeks)
Final Thoughts
A legacy DotNetNuke upgrade is rarely about “new and shiny.” It’s about stability, security, and making sure your site continues to serve your organization well into the future.
Take the time to plan your upgrade carefully, document what’s in place, and run tests in a safe environment. The headaches most teams fear? They come from rushing — not from the upgrade itself.
Why not talk about your legacy DotNetNuke upgrade? It’s free.
Want to learn more about how others have handled their DNN migration? Or need help evaluating where to begin? Get in touch — we’re happy to share what we’ve learned from 15+ years of working with DotNetNuke.