[TheLastSuperman]

Originally Posted by JamesC70

In your 3.8.4 upgrade folder, includes/config.php, insert the following directly under <?php:

define('DISABLE_HOOKS', true);

This will force all add-ons to be turned off.

Now you can enter your test forum's AdminCP. Go there, then Plugins and Products on the left side near the bottom, and select Manage Products. Uninstall everything.

Now go to Plugins and Products -> Plugin Manager and uncheck anything that remains. Click Save Active Status to turn them off. Now you can go back to this screen and delete these with the Delete link on the right side.

At this point, you should be able to navigate around your upgraded forum with only default vBulletin code running. If everything's satisfactory, remove the Disable Hooks line you inserted into config.php earlier, and double-check the forum.

Once you're satisfied with your test forum, you're ready to upgrade your live one! :up:

Ahh don't do that

Make the test forum i.e. a clone of your live site to run the upgrade script on. Most 3.5/3.6/3.7/3.8 mods will work fine on 3.8 a few won't and some just need a simple version dependancy changed. If you were upgrading to 4.0 I would say uninstall all mods but to 3.8.4 simply disable them all in admincp AND the config before upgrading the cloned "test" site to 3.8.4 once upgraded turn on mods via the config but they are still disabled in admincp so no worries... now simply turn on each mod one by one and if any give you an error look for an upgraded version or fix in the mods thread if none exist then uninstall because there's no point uninstalling everything before you upgrade if you liek the mods and again most will work you only uninstall old styles and mods for the upgrade to 4.0 since it is such a big change to everything .

More info here: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=227933

Just disregard the 4.0 info and use the guide like your upgrading to 3.8 which you are .

Mike