Installing WordPress on your localhost is a great way to test website changes, experiment with themes and plugins, and learn WordPress development without affecting your live website. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to install WordPress on your localhost:
- Install a Local Server Environment:
- To run WordPress on your local machine, you’ll first need to set up a local server environment. There are several options available:
- XAMPP: Download and install XAMPP (https://www.apachefriends.org/index.html), which provides an Apache server, MySQL database, and PHP environment. It’s available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- WampServer: WampServer (http://www.wampserver.com/en/) is another popular option for Windows users.
- MAMP: MAMP (https://www.mamp.info/en/) is suitable for macOS users.
- Follow the installation instructions provided for your chosen local server environment.
- To run WordPress on your local machine, you’ll first need to set up a local server environment. There are several options available:
- Download WordPress:
- Visit the official WordPress website (https://wordpress.org/download/) and download the latest version of WordPress.
- Extract the WordPress zip file to a folder in your local server’s document root directory (e.g.,
htdocs
for XAMPP,www
for WampServer, orhtdocs
for MAMP).
- Create a Database:
- Open your local server’s control panel (e.g., XAMPP Control Panel).
- Start Apache and MySQL services.
- Access phpMyAdmin (usually available through your local server’s control panel).
- Create a new database for your WordPress installation (e.g.,
wordpress
).
- Configure WordPress:
- Rename the
wp-config-sample.php
file located in the WordPress folder towp-config.php
. - Open
wp-config.php
in a text editor and enter your database details (database name, username, password) under the section that says “MySQL settings”.
- Rename the
- Run the WordPress Installation Script:
- Open a web browser and navigate to
http://localhost/wordpress
(replacewordpress
with the name of the folder where you extracted WordPress). - Select your preferred language and click on the “Continue” button.
- WordPress will prompt you to enter your database connection details. Enter the database name, username, password, database host (usually
localhost
), and table prefix if desired. - Click on the “Submit” button and then the “Run the installation” button.
- Enter your site title, username, password, and email address for the WordPress admin account.
- Click on the “Install WordPress” button.
- Once installation is complete, you’ll be prompted to log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Open a web browser and navigate to
- Access Your Local WordPress Site:
- After installation, you can access your local WordPress site by visiting
http://localhost/wordpress
(replacewordpress
with the folder name you created).
- After installation, you can access your local WordPress site by visiting
That’s it! You’ve successfully installed WordPress on your localhost. You can now customize your website, install themes and plugins, and start building your local WordPress project. Remember that this setup is for local development only and won’t be accessible to others on the internet unless you host it on a live server