How to Install XAMPP and WordPress on Windows

Do you want to Install XAMPP and WordPress on Windows PC? If you need a development site for testing or other uses, this is a fantastic idea.

XAMPP allows you to run a website from your computer. And once you’ve got it set up, you can create a new WordPress installation with a few clicks. However, installing XAMPP with WordPress can be tricky, so you may require assistance.

Install XAMPP and WordPress on Windows


I’ll teach you exactly how to install XAMPP and set up a local WordPress development site in this step-by-step tutorial. You’ll have your local WordPress testing environment running on Windows at the end of this.

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Let's begin -

Install XAMPP and WordPress on Windows

Step 1: Download and install XAMPP

The first step of installing WordPress locally is obtaining and installing the XAMPP software. This is available to download from Apache Friends. It’s a large file, about 165 MB, so it may take a minute or so depending on your connection.

download xampp

Run the downloaded file to activate the XAMPP installation when the download is complete. If you have antivirus software, you may see the following warning:

xampp warning

To proceed, click Yes. You might receive a User Account Control prompt (UAC) based on your Windows configuration. Just keep going through that prompt as well.

xampp setup

After you’ve completed all of the instructions, you should see the installation screen like above. Click Next to continue.

On the following screen, you may select which components to install. You do not need all of the features to install XAMPP and WordPress. All you need are:

  • MySQL
  • PHPMyAdmin

xampp components

That’s all we need to install WordPress in localhost. Click Next.

Specify where you want XAMPP to be installed.

select installation folder

Leave it as default if you don’t want to change the folder. Click Next.

Now you’ll be prompted to install Bitnami for XAMPP. For this reason, you don’t need to install XAMPP or WordPress, uncheck the box. If checked, it slightly simplifies the WordPress installation process, but I’ll go over how it works without Bitnami.

Also Read: Five Best WooCommerce WordPress Themes in 2022

uncheck bitnami

Click Next, and you’re ready to begin the installation, which may take a few minutes to complete.

installing xampp

Once installation is done, launch the XAMPP Control Panel to begin working with XAMPP.

xampp setup finish

Step 2: Start the modules in XAMPP

You need to start two modules, “Apache” and “MySQL” from the XAMPP control panel to set up WordPress properly. 

start modules

Once you start them, you should see their status change to green, and they should work.

module status green

Your local server is up and running now. To verify go to your preferred web browser, and navigate to http://localhost/.

As long as everything goes well, you now have a working version of XAMPP on your computer. Now it’s time to do the following steps to get a WordPress site on the XAMPP server.

Step 3: Extract the WordPress files

Go to WordPress and download the most recent version of WordPress from there.

Open XAMPP Control Panel and click Explorer.

explore xampp

It will take you to the folder where you’ve installed XAMPP. Now, in that folder, find a subfolder htdocs. 

folder htdocs

Enter htdocs and create a new folder. The folder name will be used for accessing your site. For example, if you create the folder firstproject, you’ll be able to view your site at http://localhost/firstproject. After creating the folder, extract the WordPress zip file you downloaded into it.

Step 4: Create Database for WordPress in XAMPP

The next step is to build a MySQL database for your WordPress installation.

MySQL admin

Go to your XAMPP Control Panel and click Admin, which will take you to http://localhost/phpmyadmin/.

database page

Now click on Databases at the top, choose a name for your database, and click Create. Choose whatever name you want, but remember it for the further steps.

Also Read: Top 10 Ways to Increase Organic Website Traffic 2022

create database

Step 5: Install WordPress in Localhost

After you create a database, visit your local site http://localhost/foldername, and now you should see the regular WordPress installer. Select your language and proceed to the next step.

WordPress installer

Now in the database details, enter them like below:

  • Database Name = Name of the database you created in PHPMyAdmin

  • Username = “root”

  • Password = leave blank

database WordPress

Click Submit and Run the installation from next page.

WP installation

Provide information like Site Title, Username, Password, Email, and click Install WordPress.

required info WordPress

Success! Enter the Username/Email & Password you just created and click on Log in,

WordPress login

Here you are in WordPress Dashboard. You should see your fresh new WordPress installation operating smoothly on your localhost when you’re through.

WordPress dashboard

The first time you learn how to install XAMPP and WordPress, you will be able to create new testing sites in minutes.

Is there anything you’d like to know about using XAMPP to set up WordPress on your machine? Write about it below in the comments!

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