Make it easier to see installed WordPress version when update required

[ovann86]

When the latest version of WordPress is installed you can see the current installed version in the footer (e.g. "Version 4.5.2") or on the wp-admin Updates page (e.g. "If you need to re-install version 4.5.2 ...").

However when an update is required the footer instead displays "Get Version 4.5.2" and the wp-admin Updates page displays "You can update to WordPress 4.5.2 automatically ..." - making it difficult to determine the current installed version of WordPress which is required for proper upgrade testing and debugging issues.

There are alternatives to determining the WordPress version such as:

• Adding the 'At a Glance' widget to the Dashboard (for some reason this is not available on all my websites)
• Loading the 'readme.html' file located at domainname.com/readme.html (I often see this file removed or access to .html files restricted)
• Edit the /wp-includes/version.php file (requires access to the PHP files and a basic understanding of how to read PHP)
• Checking the version tags on enqueued scripts (requires a basic understanding of how to read HTML)

but these options add extra complexity to what should be as simple referring to the same place every time.

I would like to propose that the wp-admin Updates page and/or the wp-admin footer always displays the current installed version of WordPress and if an update is required that message is displayed in addition.

For example

On the wp-admin Updates page, above 'An updated version of WordPress is available.' it could display "You currently have WordPress x installed."

And in the footer the 'Get Version x' could display above the current installed version instead of replacing it.

[ovann86]

wp-admin Updates page with additional line to show current installed version

[ovann86]

footer showing both current installed version and update message.

[netweb]

Thanks @ovann86, we're already tracking this issue in #15101