How to Install PHP on Windows
Installing PHP on Windows is a straightforward process that can be completed in a few simple steps. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, following these instructions will help you get PHP up and running on your Windows machine in no time. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of installing PHP on Windows, including setting up a web server and configuring your environment.
Step 1: Download PHP
The first step in installing PHP on Windows is to download the PHP installer from the official PHP website. Visit https://windows.php.net/download/ and select the version of PHP you want to install. Make sure to choose the version that is compatible with your Windows operating system.
Step 2: Install PHP
Once you have downloaded the PHP installer, run the executable file to start the installation process. The installer will guide you through the steps to install PHP on your Windows machine. Here are the key points to consider during the installation:
– Select the IIS FastCGI Extension and CGI for Windows Server 2003 (if you’re using Windows Server 2003 or earlier).
– Choose the appropriate version of PHP (32-bit or 64-bit) based on your system requirements.
– Check the boxes for the extensions you need, such as MySQL, GD, and JSON.
– Make sure to add PHP to the PATH environment variable during the installation process.
Step 3: Set Up a Web Server
To run PHP scripts on your Windows machine, you’ll need a web server. Apache and Nginx are popular choices for Windows. Here’s how to set up Apache as your web server:
1. Download the Apache HTTP Server from https://www.apache.org/dyn/closer.cgi?path=/apache/2.4.x/binaries/win64/apache_2.4.x.x_bin.zip.
2. Extract the contents of the zip file to a folder on your computer.
3. Open the Apache directory and run the httpd.exe file to start the Apache server.
4. Open a web browser and navigate to http://localhost. You should see the Apache default welcome page.
Step 4: Configure PHP with Apache
To configure PHP with Apache, follow these steps:
1. Open the Apache configuration file (httpd.conf) in a text editor.
2. Look for the section that starts with LoadModule php5_module modules/libphp5.dll and uncomment it (remove the semicolon at the beginning of the line).
3. Add the following lines to the same section to enable PHP parsing for .php files:
“`
AddType application/x-httpd-php .php
AddType application/x-httpd-php-source .phps
“`
4. Restart the Apache server to apply the changes.
Step 5: Test PHP Installation
To verify that PHP is installed and working correctly, create a PHP file named “info.php” with the following content:
“`php
“`
Save the file in the Apache’s “htdocs” directory (usually located at C:\wamp64\www). Open a web browser and navigate to http://localhost/info.php. You should see the PHP configuration information displayed on the page.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed PHP on Windows. Now you can start developing PHP applications on your Windows machine.
