How to Install WordPress on Localhost (Windows 10/11) Using XAMPP Step-by-Step Tutorial

WordPress is the most popular Code-Free CMS (Content Management System) in the Design of websites today. The traditional approach to utilizing the WordPress CMS is the purchase of the domain name and hosting package and the subsequent installation of the same within the CMS.

However, what would happen when you do not possess a domain or a hosting and wish to use WordPress as a testing environment? Yes, there is a local version when it comes to using the WordPress, a local WordPress installation.

Assuming that you are new to this term and you do not know how to install WordPress into localhost, this blog will suit you.

In this case, I will follow all the installations steps of WordPress localhost.

The best method to learn the development aspect of WordPress is to install WordPress locally and not need to purchase any hosting or influence a live site. In the tutorial, we shall guide you through each step on how to install WordPress on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer with the help of XAMPP.

👉 Watch the video tutorial alongside this guide:

What is Localhost?

Localhost is used just like a hosting plan. However with local host, rather than the virtual hosting, the local PC will serve as the storage machine. The hosting of the PC storage requires third-party software which is necessary to create localhost environment to install the WordPress.

An example is installing XAMPP or LocalWp into your PC which will give you much the same environment as a virtual hosting. The next thing to do is to install WordPress on a localhost as you do when you install it through a hosting package and a premium domain.

Benefits of installing WordPress on localhost:

• One hundred percent Free (no hosting and domain required).

• Quick loading – no online needed involving no internet.

• harmless to experimentation and development.

• Other Learn themes, plugins and customization.

Why should you install WordPress on Localhost?

So here you may be asking yourself why would you install wordpress on localhost when nobody will see it. Or even, you can believe that localhost is limited to WordPress amateurs.

However, the thing is that any person concerned with web design and development can find it worthwhile to install WordPress on localhost. Novices may understand how to create a webpage with WordPress CMS, how to create an entire webpage with WordPress and so forth. As an example you can do the SaaS websites design, WooCommerce websites design, etc., on localhost.

To planner of plugins, it is simple to test the plugins, themes, and any other third-party models on the local site and then install them afterwards, when there is a WordPress site ready.

As an example, suppose you are interested in creating a SaaS site using WordPress plugins and then want to test the tools on your live site, one can test them through the local host. This will aid in preventing errors.

Localhost is compulsory to a developer since when developing a new WordPress product, he/she must do the test locally to identify errors and rectify them.

Tools You’ll Need

To start with, here are the things that you should download:

• XAMPP– to set up a local server environment.

• WordPress the CMS that we are going to install.

On the one hand, there is the whole procedure of installing WordPress on localhost:

How to install WordPress locally with XAMPP?

Step 1: Download XAMPP Localhost Software

XAMPP is compatible with every operating system and you may select your operating system when you are downloading the application. As has been mentioned above, it is open source software you do not have to enter any personal information.

All you need to do is to Visit the XAMPP official site and select the operating system on the list. In the case of windows you can choose XAMPP. The official site supports Windows up to version 8.0.12, but higher versions of windows can also be used.

 

 

Step 1: Download and Install XAMPP

Step 1.1: Search and Download XAMPP

1. Open Google and search: “Download XAMPP”

2. Click on the official link: https://www.apachefriends.org

3. Select the version for Windows

4. Click Download

Step 2 : Install XAMPP Server On Local Storage

1. After downloading the software to your PC, now it is time to use the software to run local WordPress installation.
   

   There are no special commands to install the software. Just start the file and it will begin the method of installation. Some of them will be selected by default. Nevertheless, all of these options do not have to be activated.

   

   The only selections required to utilize localhost in WordPress are Apache, MySQL and PHP.

   

   After picking these on the checkboxes, press the Next button. It will automatically begin the process of installation.

   It will present the option whether you want to learn more about Bitnami of XAMPP. Make sure not to check this box, and you do not need it.

   

   Nonetheless, when you have antivirus software in your PC, then it can give out error messages. All one has to do is to choose continue and install.

   Once the last installation occurs, a message box will come up. It would be accomplished by clicking on Finish button. In the process, remember not to change everything to the default values that will complicate everything.

   

   XAMPP has been installed in your PC. Moving on, the following are steps that will be taken to install WordPress on localhost.

Step 3: Start the modules to test the server

Installing WordPress offline requires executing of Apache Module and MySQL Module.

All one needs to do is to access the XAMPP control panel and turn on these modules.

1. Click Start next to Apache

2. Click Start next to MySQL

Both modules have a Start button. Both modules would be green after being turned on.

✔ If both services turn green, it means they are running correctly.
❌ If they don’t start:

• Close apps like Skype or IIS (port conflict)

• Temporarily turn off antivirus

• Run XAMPP as Administrator

Step 4 : Download WordPress For Localhost

When a person utilizes domain and virtual hosting, he or she has the opportunity to install WordPress server itself.

In the case of localhost, it is important that you download the most recent version of WordPress in the storage of your PC. Then you will have to extract the zip file of the WordPress manually to the desired XAMPP folder. Visit the WordPress home page and install WordPress.

Step 3: Download and Extract WordPress

Step 3.1: Download WordPress

1. Visit: https://wordpress.org

2. Click on Download WordPress

3. Save the ZIP file (e.g., wordpress-6.4.1.zip)

Step 3.2: Extract and Move WordPress Folder

1. Open the ZIP file that has been downloaded.

2. It will come with a folder called wordpress.

3. Copy this folder into: C:\xampp\htdocs\

4. Rename the folder (optional)
   Example: Rename to facebook or my-site

Step 4: Create Database in phpMyAdmin

1. Open your browser

2. Go to: http://localhost/phpmyadmin

3. Click on the Databases tab

4. Under “Create Database“:

   • Type a name (e.g., wordpress_db)

   • Click Create

Your database is now ready.

Step 5: Install WordPress on Localhost

1. Enter the following in your browser; http://localhost/facebook.
   Tp (substitute facebook with your folder name)

2. WordPress configuration wizard will come out.

Enter Database Info

• Database Name: wordpress_db

• Username: root

• Password: (leave it blank)

• Database Host: localhost

• Table Prefix: wp_ (or leave default)

Click Submit, then click Run the Installation

Set Up WordPress Site

1. Site Title: Your site name

2. Username: Admin name (e.g., admin)

3. Password: Choose a strong password

4. Email: Optional but recommended

5. Click Install WordPress

After this, there is an option of clicking on the Login button and using your credentials of an admin to access the dashboard.

Common Installation Issues and Fixes

❌ Apache/MySQL Not Starting?

• Determine the use of ports 80/443 (Skype, IIS)

• Set the XAMPP Port numbers Changing system numbers in XAMPP Config.

• Turn off anti-virus / firewalls.

• The work should always be the administrative version of XAMPP.

❌ Database Connection Error?

• Ensure that you have typed in the right database name.

• Username: root – Password: leave blank

• Verify that the database is present in phpMyAdmin.

• If files are corrupted- re- download WordPress.

What to Do After Installing WordPress Locally

• The theme and layout can be customized.

• Try new plugins

• Practice site backups

• Site structure experiment.

• Learn to develop websites using WordPress with fear.

Final Words

Here, no special software is needed and it is totally free to install WordPress on your personal computer through XAMPP. Cracker, now with this arrangement you can go out to build websites and move around, without touching on anything live.

Redo, do nothing right, and repeat that you learning WordPress like you are supposed to.