How to install WordPress in Windows 10 Using XAMPP

Installing WordPress on a Windows 10 computer is an excellent way to create and test a website locally before making it live. This local setup provides a sandbox environment where you can experiment with themes, plugins, and configurations without affecting a live website. In this article, we will guide you step by step on how to install WordPress on Windows 10.

Table of Contents

What is WordPress?

WordPress is a popular open-source Content Management System (CMS) that enables users to create websites and blogs easily. It offers flexibility, a vast library of plugins and themes, and a user-friendly interface. By installing WordPress locally on Windows 10, you can learn and test its functionalities without purchasing a hosting plan or domain name.

Why Install WordPress Locally?

Learn WordPress: Ideal for beginners to familiarize themselves with WordPress.
Test Environment: Safely test themes, plugins, and customizations.
No Hosting Costs: No need to purchase hosting services or domains.
Quick Development: Make changes and experiment without internet dependency.

Prerequisites

To install WordPress on Windows 10, there are a few prerequisites to ensure the process runs smoothly. These requirements include setting up the necessary software and ensuring compatibility. Here’s what you need

A computer running Windows 10.
An internet connection (for initial downloads).
A local server setup tool (like XAMPP or WAMP).

Install WordPress on Windows 10

WordPress requires a server environment with PHP and MySQL. XAMPP is a popular choice for this purpose.

Visit the official XAMPP website.Download the Windows version of XAMPP. Run the installer and follow these steps:

Install the XAMPP

Choose the components: Ensure Apache, MySQL, PHP, and phpMyAdmin are selected.
Select an installation directory (e.g., C:\xampp). Wait for the installation to complete and launch the XAMPP Control Panel.

Start Apache and MySQL Services

Open the XAMPP Control Panel.
Click Start next to Apache and MySQL. Ensure both services turn green, indicating they are running.

Download the WordPress Zip file

After the XAMPP software is successfully installed in the system, you can download the zip file of WordPress from the Internet to your local computer. Visit the official WordPress website. Click on Download WordPress and save the ZIP file. Extract the ZIP file to a folder (e.g., C:\xampp\htdocs\wordpress).

Configuring the WordPress file

After download, the latest WordPress software in your local system, go to the download location (as saved in the Download folder in my system)and extract the wordpress.zip file. Rename the File to your desired website name (here named as my- web)

Placing the WordPress file to XAMPP

Browse to the folder where you have installed XAMPP (general gets installed in C:\xampp )
Find the htdocs file and open it.
Copy the WordPress file you have renamed.
Paste it under the htdocs file.

Create a Database for WordPress

To create a database in WordPress, Open a web browser and go to http://localhost/phpmyadmin.
In phpMyAdmin: Click on the Databases tab.

Now Click on New on the left side as shown in the picture. Enter a name for your database (e.g., my_db). Choose utf8_general_ci as the collation (optional but recommended). Click Create.

Configure WordPress

Go to your browser and type localhost/my-web. (In place of my-web put your renamed name).
WordPress will prompt you to select a language. Choose your preferred language and click Continue.

You will see a configuration screen. Click Let’s Go!.

Configuring the WordPress

Enter the following database details

Database Name: The name you created in phpMyAdmin (e.g., my_db).
Username: root (default for local servers).
Password: Leave it blank (default for XAMPP).
Database Host: localhost.
Table Prefix: wp_ (you can change this for added security).

Click Submit.If the connection is successful, click Run the Installation.

Complete the Installation

Fill in the site information:
- Site Title: Choose a name for your WordPress site. (For example, I have given simitech, you can name it according to your website.)
- Username: Create a username for the admin account.
- Password: Set a strong password. (If the password says weak check the continue with a weak password)
- Your Email: Enter your email address.
Click Install WordPress.
Once the installation is complete, you will see a success message. Click Log In to access the WordPress dashboard.

set WordPress site title name username and password

Testing Your WordPress Installation

Open http://localhost/my-web to view your WordPress site.Log in to the admin dashboard at http://localhost/my-web/wp-admin using the credentials you set during installation.

Use the username and password to login to the WordPress dashboard.

You can log in to the WordPress dashboard using the correct username and password, in the screen below you can see the WordPress dashboard.

Now you can do everything you want. To launch again just copy this URL in your browser.

and paste it in some word or text file to keep it or you can just type http://localhost/my-web/wp-admin (in place of my-web put your renamed name).

Customizing Your WordPress Site

Customizing your WordPress site is an exciting step that lets you shape your website to match your brand, purpose, or personal style. Here’s a comprehensive guide to customizing your WordPress site effectively

Install Themes: Go to Appearance > Themes to install and activate a theme.
Add Plugins: Navigate to Plugins > Add New to enhance your site’s functionality.
Create Content: Use Posts and Pages to add content to your site.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Apache or MySQL Won’t Start: Ensure no other services (like Skype) are using the same ports. Modify the httpd.conf file in XAMPP to change the default port.
Cannot Access phpMyAdmin: Check if Apache and MySQL are running. Verify the URL http://localhost/phpmyadmin.
Database Connection Error: Recheck the database name, username, and password in the WordPress configuration file (wp-config.php).
403 or 404 Errors: Ensure the WordPress folder is correctly placed in the htdocs directory. Check folder permissions.

Advantages of Local WordPress Installation

Offline Testing: Work on your site without an internet connection.
Experiment Freely: Test plugins, themes, and customizations without affecting a live site.
Fast Development: Changes are applied instantly without needing to upload files to a server.

Moving to a Live Server

Once your local site is ready, you can migrate it to a live server using tools like All-in-One WP Migration or manually by exporting the database and files.

Conclusion

Installing WordPress on Windows 10 is a straightforward process with the right tools and steps. By setting up WordPress locally, you can create and test your website in a controlled environment. Whether you’re a beginner learning WordPress or a developer testing advanced customizations, this setup will be invaluable.

With this guide, you are now equipped to install WordPress on your Windows 10 machine. Start exploring WordPress, and unleash your creativity to build stunning websites!

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