MediaWiki 1.43 introduces major improvements in security, usability, and admin tools, making it a significant upgrade from version 1.39. Explore key features like stronger password protections, smarter template handling, enhanced editing tools, and better accessibility.
The release of MediaWiki 1.43 LTS (Long-Term Support) brings a wide range of updates that improve usability, security, and overall functionality. Whether you're a site administrator, regular contributor, or new to wikis, this version includes features that make managing and editing content smoother and safer. If you're still using MediaWiki 1.39 or an earlier version, here’s a detailed look at what’s new in 1.43 and why now is a great time to consider upgrading.
One of the most important changes in MediaWiki 1.43 is related to account security. In the past, users could reset their passwords by entering either their username or email address. This made it easier for attackers to trigger password resets and cause disruption.
Now, MediaWiki 1.43 requires users to enter both their username and email to request a password reset. This small but significant change reduces the risk of spam attacks and protects user accounts from being misused.
This release now fully supports the OpenSSL encryption standard, which helps ensure secure communication between your wiki and its users. This update is particularly important for enterprise wikis or those handling sensitive information.
MediaWiki’s discussion system just got smarter. Version 1.43 introduces a new tool called Special:TalkPage, which automatically determines the correct discussion page associated with a content page.
Previously, users needed to know the exact name or location of a talk page to participate in discussions. Now, you can simply visit Special:TalkPage and get directed to the appropriate space. This makes navigating and contributing to conversations much easier for all users.
__EXPECTUNUSEDTEMPLATE__Wikis can get cluttered with templates, and sometimes these templates are incorrectly flagged as "unused" by the system—even if they’re used indirectly through other templates. To address this, MediaWiki 1.43 introduces a new magic word: __EXPECTUNUSEDTEMPLATE__.
By adding this code to a template, you’re telling MediaWiki, “This template is intentionally here; don’t flag it as unused.” This reduces confusion and keeps important templates from being deleted or mistakenly cleaned up.
MediaWiki organizes content into different "namespaces" such as "User," "Talk," "File," etc. These help keep different kinds of content organized. But understanding and managing namespaces used to be tricky—especially for newer users.
With the new Special:NamespaceInfo page, you get a complete list of all namespaces used on your wiki. It also shows whether each namespace is editable, searchable, or associated with a talk page. This is a big help for administrators who need to manage site structure and for contributors trying to understand where their work belongs.
Administrators now have more control over behind-the-scenes tasks. Version 1.43 includes support for background maintenance operations that can be scheduled or run incrementally. These improvements mean that tasks like cleaning up broken links or fixing formatting issues won’t slow down your site.
MediaWiki 1.43 supports the latest versions of PHP 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3. This makes your wiki compatible with modern hosting environments and ensures better performance and stability.
The user preferences page has gotten a thoughtful redesign:
A search bar has been added, allowing users to find specific settings quickly.
A new Notifications tab gives users more control over how and when they receive updates.
A handy Safe Mode toggle lets users temporarily disable gadgets and user scripts—perfect for troubleshooting layout or functionality problems.
These improvements make it easier for both new and experienced users to personalize their experience.
MediaWiki’s built-in editing interface continues to evolve. Here are some enhancements available in version 1.43:
Syntax highlighting via CodeMirror is now more robust. This makes editing wikitext easier to read and less prone to errors.
When you start typing a magic word (like __NOTOC__), the editor now suggests completions, helping new users learn the syntax.
The visual diff tool provides a side-by-side comparison of page versions, highlighting additions and deletions in a more readable format than the traditional wikitext diff. This is particularly helpful for users who aren’t familiar with markup language.
For active wikis, the Recent Changes page is critical for tracking edits and updates. In 1.43, this page has been upgraded to support tag filtering and namespace filtering.
This means you can:
Hide or show edits with specific tags (like bot edits or minor changes).
Focus only on changes made in a certain namespace (like only watching “User” or “Main” pages).
These filters help users and admins monitor activity more effectively and reduce noise from irrelevant edits.
Accessibility is a growing focus for all web platforms, and MediaWiki 1.43 takes a step in the right direction with optional changes to how headings are generated.
The new heading format follows modern HTML standards, making it easier for screen readers and assistive technologies to interpret the page structure. Admins can enable this new format to improve their site's usability for people with disabilities.
Upgrading to MediaWiki 1.43 from version 1.39 (or earlier) brings you:
Stronger security, including safer password resets and modern encryption.
Smarter tools, like Special:TalkPage and Special:NamespaceInfo.
Cleaner management of templates and namespaces.
Better editing experience with visual diffs, syntax highlighting, and helpful suggestions.
Greater control over recent changes and background maintenance.
More accessible design, improving usability for all.
Support for modern PHP versions, future-proofing your wiki.
Whether you run a public wiki, a private knowledge base, or an internal documentation system, MediaWiki 1.43 delivers meaningful quality-of-life improvements for everyone involved.
If you're looking for a more secure, efficient, and user-friendly wiki experience, MediaWiki 1.43 is worth the upgrade.
For a broader look at how to safely and effectively perform MediaWiki upgrades, check out our other blog post: "Guide to Upgrading MediaWiki", where we cover planning, testing, backups, and more.
Upgrading a MediaWiki installation can be a complex process, especially when custom extensions, themes, or integrations are involved. If you’re considering moving to MediaWiki 1.43, WikiTeq offers free consultations to help you plan the upgrade.
Our team can assist with everything from compatibility checks to data migration and testing—ensuring your wiki is upgraded safely and with minimal disruption. Reach out to us today to get started!
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MediaWiki 1.43 introduces major improvements in security, usability, and admin tools, making it a significant upgrade from version 1.39. Explore key features like stronger password protections, smarter template handling, enhanced editing tools, and better accessibility.
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