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Introduction To Local WordPress Installation
Do you know you can install WordPress locally on your Windows computer and use it for learning, testing and design purposes? Installing WordPress on your PC involves setting up a localhost or local server. Quite often, plug-in developers and theme designers install WordPress on a localhost for a speedy design and development process. The average user with little to no experience can use the localhost to make changes and or test plug-ins before they publish their website and make it go live.
This tutorial will discuss how to install WordPress locally on your Windows PC using WAMP. Bear in mind that if you install the localhost on your computer, you’ll be the only one who can view the website and no one else. If you want to make your site go live, you will need to purchase a domain name and a Web hosting package from any reputable hosting company.
What is a WAMP Server?
A WampServer or WAMP is a collection of PHP, MySQL and Apache server bundled up for Windows computers. To install WordPress on your Windows computer, you will need WAMP for setting up your localhost. There are different other applications for Windows like XAMPP, but WAMP is widely recommended because it is free and above all easy to install.
You can also use XAMPP which works on all popular operating systems (Windows, Linux, and Mac).
Installing WAMP On Your Computer
To get started, you’ll need to download the latest version of WampServer from the WampServer website. The download page will display several options to choose from. Select the option which applies specifically to your Windows (32-bit or 64-bit). If you are unsure of which option; select the 32-bit as it will also work on the 64-bit.
Step 1: After you download the file, launch your WampServer setup file as an administrator then click "Next".
Step 2: Read the software’s terms and conditions then check “I accept the agreement” and click “Next.” afterwards.
Step 3: Choose the destination folder for your installation and click "Next".
Step 4: It will ask you if you want to create shortcuts. This is optional, you can skip creating shortcuts if you like. Click "Next" afterwards.
Step 5: Wait for a bit while the installation process is in progress.
Step 6: During installation, the program may ask for the location of your default browser. Default means it will use Internet Explorer, but you can still change to your preferred browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome by locating your Web browser in the Program Files.
Step 7: Thereafter, you need to specify the SMTP server and the email address to be used by PHP. You can leave these settings at their default values and click "Next" afterwards.
Step 8: Launch Your WampServer.
Note 1: If you got some errors, it might be because you don't have the Microsoft Visual C++ libraries installed. Keep in mind that Apache and PHP will not run properly without them. You can also check the WampServer Forum for more help in case you had any problems.
Note 2: If any security warnings appear, such as firewall warnings or notifications, be sure to allow access and add it to the exception list or else the WampServer won't work.
Testing and Configuring WAMP
Once you launch WAMP, you must see its icon in your system tray. There are three indication colors that you need to be aware of when using WampServer.
- Red - If the icon of WAMP in your system tray panel is red, then the server is not yet running and is simply offline. You may need to restart WampServer or check out its official website for assistance.
- Orange - If it is orange, the server is partially running, some services like Apache or MySQL might still be offline. In this case, you will be directed to click on the WampServer icon and check its service status next to Apache and MySQL to see if they are running properly or not. You may need to restart WampServer as well to see if that solves the problem.
- Green - If the icon is green, it means the server is running and you should be able to access localhost from your browser.
Before you test your WampServer, you need to make sure that the Apache module - "rewrite_module" is enabled.
To test your Wampserver, make sure its indication icon in your system tray is green then open your browser and type: "localhost". You must be able to see the below screen if your WAMP is running properly.
Creating a Database for WordPress
WampServer comes included with a web-based application called phpMyAdmin which is used to manage and run MySQL databases. On the windows taskbar, click the WampServer icon and then click phpMyAdmin.
Clicking will open a new window. Click Databases on phpMyAdmin to set up a new database for your WordPress. Enter your preferred database name and click “Create”.
Installing WordPress on Your Windows Using WAMP
Step 1: You need to download a WorldPress (.zip) file from the official website WordPress.org.
Step 2: Unzip the files and copy them to your "www" directory of your WAMPServer. You can page them in any directory of your choice if you are planning to create more than one website. For example, you can create a new folder and name it "mysite". Keep in mind though that if you did so, you will need to mention that directory name when accessing your localhost as in: (http://localhost/mysite/). If you decided to paste the WordPress files at the root folder of "www", then you can access your site by typing (http://localhost) by itself in the browser's address bar.
Step 3: Once you do that, you will get an on-screen response stating that WordPress cannot locate the (wp-config.php) file. Click on the “Let's go!” button to create the file.
Step 4: On the following screen that appears, enter your previously created database information in the fields provided.
As for the username and password, you can simply use the ‘root’ and the password should be left blank in this case. If you have created a admin user for your database, you can plug its details in here instead of 'root'. For simplicity though, stick with the ‘root’ as the username and leave the password field blank. Your server is meant for development and testing purposes and thus there will be no security issued imposed as long as you are on your local server.
Step 5: After you fill up the right information, click submit and your configuration file will be created. Next you will see an on-screen message notifying you that WordPress has created the configuration file. Continue with installation by clicking “Run the Install”.
Complete the installation form on the next screen. You’ll need to enter the name of your website, username and password as well as provide your email address. When done, click “Install WordPress.”
Step 6: WordPress will run installation quickly and setup database tables. After installation is complete, you will see a notification message informing you of your successful installation. Proceed to WordPress by clicking “Log in”.
Troubleshooting WAMP Skype Error
If Skype is installed and running, your WampServer may fail to work properly because of a conflict with Skype. This conflict is caused when both Skype and Apache use the same port 80. Fixing the problem is relatively simple. Open Skype >> Tools >> Options >> Advanced and Connections. Uncheck “Use port 80 and 443 as alternatives for incoming connections.” Save and reboot Skype.
Enabling Pretty Permalinks in WAMP
Pretty permanent links or permalinks won’t work automatically on your localhost. All URLs will be like “localhost/mysite/?p=18”. Select Settings >> Permalinks and use any of the options, you’ll see a notification displaying “page not found.”
To fix the problem, switch on the rewrite module on your XAMPP, MAMP or WAMP installation. Find WAMP from your taskbar and go to Apache, then Apache modules. From Apache modules, enable the "rewrite module".
Migrating To Live From WAMP
To migrate your locally created WordPress website to a live server, you’ll need two things. The first is a local server. By now your local WordPress site is up and running and you have access to it. To migrate your web content, you will need a web hosting service that supports WordPress.
You will also need an FTP program as well as know how to use it so that you can upload your localhost website to a live website for people to see.
The process of installing WordPress locally on a Windows computer as well as uploading it to a live server is simple, and by following these easy-to-follow tips you can have a local website which you can edit and customize before making it go live. In addition to having a localhost on your Windows PC, you can use countless themes, plug-ins and other WordPress tools to optimize and customize your site.
You can build your website and know how it will look before publishing it.
