Admin users are forced through Create Space flow after Upgrading Confluence

Summary

After upgrading Confluence from certain versions, confirmed with Confluence 5.4.2 upgraded to Confluence 6.8.2, Confluence will force the first admin user that logs in to create a new space and will force other users to watch spaces (as if they had never logged in before).

Environment

• Confluence 6.8.2 upgraded from 5.4.2

Steps to Reproduce

1. Upgrade Confluence from 5.4.2
2. Log in with an admin user

Expected Results

1. Confluence displays its default home page

Actual Results

Confluence will force the user to go through the initial setup wizard that asks them to add a profile image, if they are an admin it will ask them to create a space. If they are a normal user it will ask them to watch the space.

Notes

• This behavior was reported and confirmed for Confluence 5.4.2 to 6.8.2, it could affect other versions.

Workaround

• Upgrade to Confluence 5.10.latest and then attempt the upgrade to 6.8.2
  • You do not need to login, you can run the upgrade and immediately stop Confluence to start the next upgrade and it will work as expected