Windows WordPress XAMPP Install Howsnip
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How to Install WordPress Locally on XAMPP in Windows (Step-by-Step Guide)

Setting up WordPress on your local computer is one of the best ways to learn, test plugins, build websites, or develop themes without affecting a live site. With XAMPP, you can create a complete local development environment that includes Apache, MySQL (MariaDB), and PHP, allowing WordPress to run entirely on your Windows machine.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to install XAMPP, create a database, and install WordPress locally step by step.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

  • A Windows computer
  • Administrator access for software installation
  • The latest version of XAMPP
  • The latest WordPress installation package

Note: Keep XAMPP running whenever you want to access your local WordPress website.

Step 1: Install XAMPP on Windows

XAMPP is a local development environment that bundles everything required to run WordPress, including:

  • Apache (web server)
  • MariaDB/MySQL (database server)
  • PHP
  • phpMyAdmin (database management tool)

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This saves you from installing and configuring each component separately.

Download and Install XAMPP

When prompted to select components, make sure the following are installed:

  • Apache
  • MySQL
  • PHP
  • phpMyAdmin
  • Webalizer
  • Fake Sendmail

Choose your preferred installation directory and language, then complete the installation.

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Once installation finishes, launch the XAMPP Control Panel.

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Step 2: Configure XAMPP

Before installing WordPress, review the Apache and MySQL settings.

Check the Apache Port Configuration

In the XAMPP Control Panel:

  • Locate the Apache module.
  • Click Config.
  • Select Apache (httpd.conf).

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The Apache configuration file will open in your default text editor.

Search for:

port

Apache typically listens on:

80

Port 80 is the standard HTTP port. If another application is already using it, you may need to configure Apache to use a different port.

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Important: Only change the port if there is a conflict on your system.

Optional: Change the Document Root Directory

By default, XAMPP stores website files inside:

xampp\htdocs

The document root is defined by the DocumentRoot setting in the httpd.conf file.

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If you prefer storing website files in another location, update the DocumentRoot path and create the folder manually if it does not already exist.

Note: The installation drive may differ depending on where you installed XAMPP.

Check the MySQL Port

Back in the XAMPP Control Panel:

  • Click Config next to the MySQL module.
  • Open my.ini.

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Look for:

port=

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Make a note of the port number displayed.

You will need this information later if your MySQL installation uses a non-default port.

Do not modify any other settings.

Start Apache and MySQL

In the XAMPP Control Panel:

  • Click Start next to Apache.
  • Click Start next to MySQL.

When both services start successfully, they should appear highlighted in green.

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Warning: If either service fails to start, resolve the port conflict before continuing.

Step 3: Create a MySQL Database for WordPress

WordPress requires a database to store content, settings, and user information.

Open phpMyAdmin

From the XAMPP Control Panel:

  • Locate the MySQL row.
  • Click Admin.

This opens phpMyAdmin in your browser.

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The URL will be similar to:

http://localhost/phpmyadmin

Keep this address handy because you’ll use it to manage your local databases.

Create a New Database

Inside phpMyAdmin:

  • Open the Databases tab.
  • Find the Create database section.
  • Enter a database name.

Choose a unique database name and save it somewhere safe, as you’ll need it during the WordPress installation.

For the collation, leave the default value:

utf8mb4_general_ci

Click Create.

Important: Do not add any tables manually. WordPress will automatically create the required tables during installation.

Step 4: Install WordPress Locally

Now it’s time to install WordPress.

Download WordPress

Download the latest WordPress package from the official WordPress website.

Once downloaded:

  • Locate the ZIP file.
  • Navigate to your XAMPP document root directory.

For example:

C:\xampp\htdocs

If you changed the document root earlier, use that location instead.

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Create a Website Folder

Inside the document root:

  • Create a new folder for your website.
  • Give it a name such as:
  • mywebsite

Extract the WordPress ZIP contents into that folder.

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Your WordPress files should now reside inside the website directory.

Run the WordPress Installer

Open your web browser and visit:

http://localhost/mywebsite/wp-admin/setup-config.php

Replace:

mywebsite

with the actual folder name you created.

If everything is configured correctly, the WordPress setup screen will appear.

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Configure the Database Connection

WordPress will request database information.

Enter the following:

  • Database Name – your_database_name (Use the database created in phpMyAdmin.)
  • Username – root
  • Password – Leave blank.
  • Database Host – localhost
  • Table Prefix – wp_

After entering the information, click Submit.

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If the connection succeeds, continue with the installation.

Complete the Installation

WordPress will ask for:

  • Site Title
  • Administrator Username
  • Administrator Password
  • Email Address

Enter your preferred settings, then click:

Install WordPress

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After installation is complete, WordPress will display a success message.

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Click Log In and sign in using your administrator credentials.

Access Your Local WordPress Website

Once installation is finished, you can access your local site by visiting:

http://localhost/mywebsite

To access the WordPress dashboard:

http://localhost/mywebsite/wp-admin

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Remember that your local website will only be available when:

  • XAMPP is running
  • Apache is running
  • MySQL is running

If you close XAMPP or stop these services, the website will become inaccessible until they are started again.

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Conclusion

Installing WordPress locally with XAMPP is a simple way to create a safe development and testing environment on Windows.

By installing XAMPP, creating a database in phpMyAdmin, and running the WordPress setup wizard, you can have a fully functional local WordPress website running in just a few steps. This setup is ideal for learning WordPress, testing updates, developing themes, and experimenting with plugins before deploying changes to a live site.

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