How To Install WordPress Locally?
Did you know that you can install WordPress locally? Installing the platform on your computer allows you to experience a testing environment of how WordPress works before going live. Today, we will show you how you can install WordPress properly in three steps, why you need to do so, and why WAMP is an important part of the installation process.
Why Should You Install WordPress Locally?
As mentioned earlier, installing WordPress on Windows gives you a testing environment without affecting your live website or before even going live. This process is also referred to as a local host or server.
People can test plugins and themes with a local WordPress installation, while developers use this process to develop plugins and themes.
One good thing about this local installation is you are the only person who can see the website. If you want the public to see it, you will need to install it on a cPanel account of a web hosting provider under a domain name.
What Is WAMP and Why Is It Important?
WAMP is a collection of MySQL, PHP, and the Apache web server (open source software) for Linux and other operating systems. It functions as a virtual environment for your computer that lets you test WordPress features without affecting your live website.
All these programs can get difficult to install, even for tech savvy people. With WAMP, you can install them easily, achieving a local environment the same what you would get on a server in minutes.
How to Install WordPress Locally
Step 1: Install WAMP on Your Computer
Before you install the WAMP server, make sure you have Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable installed on your computer. WAMP needs this code to run.
Once you have it, you can proceed with the installation of WAMP. Click Download once you are on the download page.
Click Run and carefully follow the instructions.
Step 2: Set up a Database for Your Local WordPress
After installing the software, you will see its icon on your desktop screen. Right click on it and choose Run as administrator.
You can also see the WAMP icon at the bottom right side of your screen. The icon colour should be green because this means PHP, MySQL, and Apache are running.
Go to WAMP’s local IP address, which is 127.0.0.1, scroll down to Tools, and choose
phpMyAdmin. It will direct you to a login screen.
Enter “root” as the username but do not fill in the password. These are the default login for your local host. Click Go at the bottom once done.
Go to the Databases tab to create a new database. Name the database so that you can easily remember it and click Create.
Step 3: Install WordPress
Go to wordpress.org and download the WordPress zip file. Click Get WordPress on the page.
Click the Download button.
Extract files from the zip file once the download is complete. You will then see the wordpress-5.4.2 folder on your local drive.
Copy the folder and paste it to the www folder in the wamp64 folder on your local drive.
After copying the folder, go to your browser and type this URL: 127.0.0.1/wordpress. Click Let us go from the pop-up message.
You need to fill in the information on your screen, that is, Database Name, Username, and Database Host. Click Submit once done.
You will then see a success message that WordPress is already connected to your local database. Click the Run the installation button.
WordPress will direct you to its welcome screen. Fill in the Site Title, Username, Password, Your Email fields and click Install WordPress once done.
You will see another success message from WordPress, and it will give you the login option. Log in using the login credentials you just made earlier and click the login button to access your Dashboard screen.
Conclusion
Learning how to install WordPress on Windows is indeed beneficial to run tests to check the platform’s features. You only need to install WAMP, set up a database, and install WordPress.
If you want to check out WordPress features first before going live or if you want to test plugins and themes, installing WordPress locally is what you need!