How to Install WordPress in Xampp Localhost

Installing WordPress on your local computer using XAMPP is a great way to create a test environment for development or learning.

This guide will walk you through each step of the process, ensuring that you have WordPress running smoothly on your localhost.

Step 1: Download and Install XAMPP

XAMPP is a free and open-source cross-platform web server solution stack package. It consists of Apache HTTP Server, MariaDB, and interpreters for scripts written in PHP and Perl.

1. Download XAMPP

• Visit the official XAMPP website.
• Choose the version compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
• Download the installer.

2. Install XAMPP

• Run the downloaded installer file.
• During installation, select the components you need. For WordPress, ensure that Apache, MySQL, PHP, and phpMyAdmin are selected.
• Choose the installation folder (default is usually fine).
• Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
• Once installed, launch the XAMPP Control Panel.

Step 2: Start Apache and MySQL

To run WordPress locally, you need to start Apache (the web server) and MySQL (the database server) from the XAMPP Control Panel.

1. Open XAMPP Control Panel:

• Locate the XAMPP Control Panel and open it.

2. Start Services:

• Click the "Start" button next to Apache and MySQL.
• Ensure that both services are running (indicated by a green highlight).

Step 3: Download WordPress

Next, you'll need to download the latest version of WordPress.

1. Visit the WordPress Website:

• Go to the WordPress.org website.
• Click on "Get WordPress" and download the latest .zip file.

2. Extract WordPress:

• Extract the WordPress .zip file to your preferred location.
• Copy the extracted "WordPress" folder.

Step 4: Move WordPress to the XAMPP htdocs Directory

For WordPress to work with XAMPP, you need to place the WordPress files in the XAMPP htdocs directory.

1. Navigate to the XAMPP Installation Directory:

• The default directory is usually C:\xampp\htdocs on Windows or /Applications/XAMPP/htdocs on macOS.

2. Paste the WordPress Folder:

• Paste the "WordPress" folder into the htdocs directory.
• You can rename this folder to something more memorable, like mywebsite if you wish.

Step 5: Create a MySQL Database for WordPress

WordPress requires a MySQL database to store its data. You’ll create this database using phpMyAdmin, a tool that comes with XAMPP.

1. Open phpMyAdmin:

• Open your web browser and go to http://localhost/phpmyadmin/.

2. Create a New Database:

• Click on the "Databases" tab at the top.
• Under "Create database," enter a name for your database (e.g., wordpress_db).
• Select "Collation" and choose utf8_general_ci.
• Click "Create."

Step 6: Configure WordPress

Now that the files are in place and the database is ready, it's time to configure WordPress.

1. Access the WordPress Setup Wizard:

• Open your browser and go to http://localhost/wordpress/ (or http://localhost/your-folder-name/ if you renamed the folder).
• Select your language and click "Continue."

2. Database Configuration:

• On the next screen, you'll be asked to enter your database details.
• Database Name: Enter the name of the database you created earlier (wordpress_db).
• Username: Enter root.
• Password: Leave this field empty.
• Database Host: Keep this as localhost.
• Table Prefix: You can leave this as wp_ unless you want to install multiple WordPress sites in one database.
• Click "Submit."

3. Run the Installation:

• If the details are correct, WordPress will connect to the database.
• Click "Run the installation."

4. Set Up Your Website:

• Enter your Site Title, a Username, a Password, and your Email Address.
• You can choose to discourage search engines from indexing your site (since this is a local environment).
• Click "Install WordPress."

Step 7: Access Your Local WordPress Site

After installation, you'll be able to log into your WordPress site.

Login to WordPress:

• Go to http://localhost/wordpress/wp-admin/ (or http://localhost/your-folder-name/wp-admin/).
• Enter the username and password you set during installation.
• You are now in the WordPress dashboard where you can start building your site.

Conclusion

Installing WordPress in XAMPP on your localhost is a great way to develop and test websites before making them live. This method provides a safe environment where you can experiment with themes, plugins, and customizations without affecting a live site.

By following this guide, you should have a fully functioning WordPress site on your local machine, ready for development and testing.