How to Install WordPress on XAMPP Local Server?

If you’re using Windows 11, you can set up a local server using XAMPP and install WordPress on XAMPP for free. In the world of web development, having a local server environment is invaluable. It allows you to build and test websites or web applications without the need for an internet connection. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of installing WordPress on XAMPP on your Windows 11 computer.

Table of Contents

What is XAMPP?

XAMPP is a popular open-source software stack that includes Apache (a web server), MySQL (a database server), PHP, and Perl. It provides a complete environment for web development and is especially useful for running dynamic web applications like WordPress on your local machine before deploying them to a live server.

Install WordPress on XAMPP — *What is XAMPP?*

XAMPP is a free and open-source cross-platform web server solution stack developed by Apache Friends. “XAMPP” stands for:

X: Stands for cross-platform compatibility (it works on various operating systems).
A: Stands for Apache, which is the web server software included in XAMPP.
M: Stands for MySQL, which is a popular relational database management system (RDBMS) included in XAMPP.
P: Stands for PHP, which is a scripting language used for web development.
P: Stands for Perl, which is another scripting language often used for web development.

In essence, XAMPP is a software package that allows you to set up a local web server environment on your computer, typically for the purpose of developing and testing web applications. It’s particularly useful for web developers because it provides a convenient way to run a web server, a database server, and scripting languages on a single machine without the need for complex configurations.

XAMPP is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a versatile choice for developers working on different platforms. It simplifies the process of creating web applications and websites locally before deploying them to a production server. It’s also commonly used for learning and practicing web development.

Some of the key components included in XAMPP:

MySQL: A system for managing relational databases that stores and retrieves data.
PHP: A scripting language for servers that is used to create dynamic web applications.
PHP: A server-side scripting language used for building dynamic web applications.
Perl: Another scripting language often used for web development.

XAMPP is relatively easy to install and configure, making it a popular choice for beginners and experienced developers alike who want to set up a local web development environment quickly. However, for production environments, it’s recommended to use more secure and specialized configurations tailored to the specific needs of the application.

XAMPP History

XAMPP has a history that dates back to the early 2000s. It was created by a German software developer named Kai ‘Oswald’ Seidler and was later maintained and expanded upon by a group of developers known as Apache Friends. Here are some of its history:

Initial Development (2002): Kai ‘Oswald’ Seidler started developing XAMPP as a way to simplify the process of setting up a web development environment on Windows. He wanted to create an easy-to-use package that included all the necessary components for web development.
First Public Release (2002): XAMPP was first publicly released in 2002. Initially, it included the Apache web server, MySQL database server, and PHP scripting language, which are essential components for web development.
Expansion and Community Involvement (Early 2000s): Over time, XAMPP gained popularity among web developers due to its simplicity and ease of use. The project attracted contributions from developers worldwide, and additional components, such as Perl and FileZilla FTP servers, were added to the package.
Cross-Platform Support (Mid-2000s): XAMPP was initially designed for Windows, but it gained cross-platform support, making it available for macOS and Linux as well. This cross-platform compatibility further increased its popularity.
Regular Updates and Improvements (Ongoing): The XAMPP project has continued to receive regular updates and improvements over the years. These updates include new versions of the included software components, security enhancements, and bug fixes.
Community and Documentation (Ongoing): The XAMPP community has played a crucial role in its development. Users and developers have contributed to the project by providing feedback, creating plugins, and developing documentation to help others set up and use XAMPP effectively.
Popular Choice for Local Development (Ongoing): XAMPP remains a popular choice for web developers, students, and hobbyists who need a simple and convenient way to create a local web development environment. It allows users to work on web applications and websites offline before deploying them to a live server.
Continued Development by Apache Friends (Ongoing): Apache Friends, the organization behind XAMPP, continues to maintain and update the software package to ensure it remains compatible with the latest versions of the included components and operating systems.

Prerequisites of Install WordPress on XAMPP

Before we dive into the installation process, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

Windows 11: Ensure that you’re running Windows 11 on your computer.

XAMPP: Download and install WordPress on XAMPP for Windows from the official Apache Friends website (https://www.apachefriends.org/index.html). Choose the latest version available at the time of installation.

WordPress: Download the latest version of WordPress from the official website (https://wordpress.org/download/).

Step 1: Install WordPress on XAMPP

Run the XAMPP installer that you downloaded. During installation, you can choose the components you want to install, but it’s recommended to keep the default settings.
Once the installation is complete, launch the XAMPP Control Panel.

XAMPP Control Pannel — *XAMPP Control Panel*

Start the Apache and MySQL modules by clicking the “Start” buttons next to their names.

Step 2: Create a Database for WordPress

Open your web browser and visit http://localhost/phpmyadmin/.

Click on “Databases” in the top menu.
Enter a name for your WordPress database (e.g., “WordPress”) and click the “Create” button.

Step 3: Set Up WordPress

Extract the WordPress zip file you downloaded earlier to the following directory: C:\xampp\htdocs\.
Rename the “WordPress” folder to your desired site name. For example, if you want your site to be “mywebsite,” rename the folder to “mywebsite.”
Open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost/your-folder-name. Replace “your-folder-name” with the name of the folder you created in the previous step.
Select your language and click the “Let’s go!” button.
Fill in the WordPress database details as follows:
Database Name: Enter the name of the database you created earlier (e.g., “wordpress”).
Username: Enter “root.”
Password: Leave this field blank.
Database Host: Enter “localhost.”
Table Prefix: You can leave this as “wp_” or change it for added security.
Click the “Submit” button.
Click “Run the installation.”
Fill in the required information for your WordPress site, including the site title, username, password, and email address.
Click the “Install WordPress” button.

Once the installation is complete, click the “Log In” button, and you can start customizing and managing your local WordPress site.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed WordPress on your XAMPP server running on Windows 11. You now have a powerful local development environment to build and test your WordPress websites before taking them live. This setup allows you to experiment, learn, and create without any cost or the need for an internet connection. Enjoy developing and designing your WordPress projects with ease on your local server!

For further guidance see about WordPress, in our following posts: