5 Steps to Install WordPress on Your Windows VPS Using Xampp Setup Guide

Introduction

Installing WordPress on your VPS Windows is one of the most innovative ways to test new themes, experiment with plugins, and build websites without incurring hosting costs or risking a live environment. This approach—often called setting up a “local development environment“—allows you to work on your site privately and instantly see changes without uploading files via FTP or waiting on a remote server’s response times. In other words, everything happens on VPS Windows Locally, leading to a fast, seamless workflow.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll break down the 5 Steps to Install WordPress on Your Windows VPS so you can begin building and experimenting with WordPress from your VPS computer. Following the steps below, you’ll set up all the required software, configure WordPress properly, and successfully run a website on your VPS. Since this is a comprehensive walkthrough, we’ll also discuss common troubleshooting tips, best practices, and possible pitfalls to avoid.

At a high level, the process involves:

1. Installing a local web server like XAMPP.
2. Downloading the latest WordPress package.
3. Creating a dedicated database for WordPress.
4. Configuring and running the WordPress installation.
5. Testing and exploring your freshly installed local WordPress site.

While this setup is straightforward, each step deserves careful attention to detail. Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Install a Local Web Server

Understanding the Role of a Local Web Server

For WordPress to run, you need three main elements:

• A Web Server (Apache or Nginx): Manages requests for website files and content.
• PHP: The scripting language WordPress is written in.
• MySQL (or MariaDB): A database system to store WordPress content and settings.

When your site is hosted on the internet, these elements are typically provided by a hosting company. However, when running WordPress on your VPS, you must install them yourself. This is where local server packages like XAMPP or WAMP come in. These packages bundle Apache, PHP, and MySQL together in one installation to make things easier.

Which Local Web Server Should You Choose?

There are several local server environments you can consider. The most popular ones include:

• XAMPP: Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• WAMP: Windows-only and features a user-friendly control panel.
• MAMP: Primarily for macOS users, though a Windows version also exists.
• Local by Flywheel: An easy-to-use solution, especially for beginners.

For this tutorial, we’ll focus on XAMPP, one of the most widely used solutions, which provides an excellent balance of simplicity and flexibility. If you’re comfortable with a different local server or prefer WAMP or MAMP, you can still follow a similar process; the steps may differ slightly regarding interface and directory structure.

Installing XAMPP (Recommended)

• Download XAMPP: Visit the official XAMPP website and download the Windows version.

• Run the Installer: Double-click the downloaded .exe file. You’ll be prompted to allow the program to change your device—click “Yes.”

• Choose Components: A setup wizard will appear, allowing you to choose which components to install. Ensure that Apache, MySQL, PHP, and phpMyAdmin are selected. You can uncheck other elements if you don’t need them.

• Choose Installation Directory: By default, XAMPP installs to C:\xampp\. You can change this if you prefer a different location, but keeping the default path is usually best.

• Complete the Installation: Click “Next” and wait for the installation to finish.

• Launch XAMPP Control Panel: Once the installation is done, you’ll see a control panel with modules for Apache, MySQL, etc.

Ensure both Apache and MySQL modules are running (click “Start” for each if they aren’t). If everything’s set up correctly, type http://localhost into your browser’s address bar and see a welcome page confirming that XAMPP works.

Step 2: Download WordPress

Why Use WordPress?

Before we proceed, let’s briefly touch on why WordPress is the chosen platform for millions of website owners:

• Easy to Use: WordPress features a user-friendly interface, enabling you to build and edit content without coding skills.
• Flexible and Scalable: With a vast selection of themes and plugins at your fingertips, WordPress can power everything from small personal blogs to large corporate websites.
• Open Source: The codebase is open to developers worldwide, ensuring continual innovation.
• SEO-Friendly: WordPress is highly customizable for SEO, helping your site rank better on search engines.

Because of these advantages, WordPress is an excellent choice for local development. You can experiment with new features or themes without risking a live website.

Where to Get WordPress

The official place to download WordPress is the WordPress.org website. Steer clear of unofficial sources to guarantee you download the newest and most reliable release. Follow these steps:

• Go to WordPress.org.

• Click on “Get WordPress” or “Download.”

• You’ll receive a .zip archive containing the essential WordPress core files.

Version Considerations

WordPress regularly releases new versions and security updates. Ideally, download the latest stable release to ensure You’ll unlock cutting-edge features while maintaining up-to-date security protections the newest security protections. If you’re testing a theme or plugin that only supports specific versions, check the release notes, but in most cases, the latest version is best.

Step 3: Create a Database

Understanding WordPress Database Requirements

WordPress stores content, user data, settings, and more in a relational database. WordPress writes the information to the database whenever you publish a blog post, upload an image, or adjust site configurations. WordPress retrieves data from the database and displays it on your pages when someone visits your site.

By default, WordPress supports MySQL and MariaDB. When you use a local server environment like XAMPP, you have direct access to a database administration tool called phpMyAdmin. This utility offers a user-friendly interface for creating and managing MySQL databases.

Creating a Database in XAMPP’s phpMyAdmin

• Start Apache and MySQL: If you haven’t already, Open the XAMPP Control Panel, then click the “Start” button for both Apache and MySQL.

• Open phpMyAdmin: In your browser, visit http://localhost/phpmyadmin/. This will load phpMyAdmin’s homepage.

• Create a New Database: Select the “Databases” tab from the top menu. You’ll see a prompt to “Create database.”

• Name Your Database: In the Text box, enter a name (e.g., wordpress_local) and select utf8mb4_general_ci for the collation. This step helps maintain compatibility across various characters and languages.

• Click ‘Create’. Once your database is created, it will be listed on the left sidebar.

You’re not required to create separate users for local development, but you can if you want an extra layer of organization or security. Typically, you can use the default “root” user without a password for simplicity, though this is not advisable on a live server.

Database Security Tips

While local environments are generally safer than live servers, it’s still good practice to:

• Use unique database names for different projects to avoid confusion.
• Configure unique usernames and passwords to replicate best security practices for moving your site online.
• Regularly back up your local database if your project is critical.

Step 4: Configure WordPress

Locating the WordPress Folder

Once you’ve downloaded WordPress, you’ll have a .zip file. Unzip it, and you’ll see a folder named “wordpress,” containing files such as wp-config-sample.php, index.php, wp-admin, wp-includes, etc.

In XAMPP, all local web projects are usually located in a folder named “htdocs” inside C: xampp. Think of htdocs as the “root directory” for your local websites.

• Move WordPress Folder: Drag or copy the entire “wordpress” folder to C:\xampp\htdocs\.

• Renaming the WordPress Folder (Optional): You can rename the folder if you want a custom local URL. For instance, rename “wordpress” to “mywebsite” to access it via http://localhost/mywebsite/.

4.2 Setting Up the wp-config.php File

WordPress uses wp-config.php to store database connection details and other critical settings. By default, you’ll see a file named wp-config-sample.php. Here’s how to configure it:

• Make a Copy: Duplicate wp-config-sample.php in the same folder and rename it to wp-config.php.

• Open wp-config.php: Use a Text editor (Notepad, Sublime Text, VSCode, etc.) to open it.
  

Configure Database Settings: Find the following lines:

define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘database_name_here’);

define(‘DB_USER’, ‘username_here’);

define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘password_here’);

define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’);

 Replace each placeholder with your actual database info. For example:

define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘wordpress_local’);

define(‘DB_USER’, ‘root’);

define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ”);

define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’);

 Since you’re using a local environment, leave haven’t if you haven’t set a MySQL password (”).

Generate Security Keys: Look for the sections with AUTH_KEY, SECURE_AUTH_KEY, LOGGED_IN_KEY, etc. Visit the WordPress Security Key Generator to generate random strings and copy them into the corresponding lines. By taking this step, you enhance the security of your local installation (and it’s standard practice for any WordPress site).

Save the File: After replacing the placeholders, save the wp-config.php file.

Running the WordPress Installation Wizard

Now that your wp-config.php file is ready, you can run the WordPress installation wizard:

• Open Your Browser: Navigate to the URL corresponding to your WordPress folder, such as http://localhost/wordpress/ or http://localhost/mywebsite/ if you renamed the folder.

• Language Selection: Choose the language you prefer from the available list.
• Site Information: You’ll see a screen prompting you to enter:

• Site Title: The name of your website (e.g., “My Local Site”).

• Username: For your admin account (e.g., “admin” or “johndoe”).
• Password: Choose a strong password. Even though this is local, get used to best security practices.
• Email Address: Where password resets or notifications will be sent.
• Search Engine Visibility: You can leave this unchecked for a local site.
• Click ‘Install WordPress’: After you provide the required information, click the button to complete the installation.
• Login: You’ll see a “Success!” message if you succeed. Log in at http://localhost/wordpress/wp-admin/ (or your renamed folder path).

Step 5: Test and Launch Your Local WordPress Site

Verifying Installation Success

Once you successfully install WordPress on your VPS local host, you should see the WordPress dashboard after logging in. This is your site’s “Control Panel,” where you can create posts, upload media, install plugins, and switch themes. To confirm that everything is working:

• Create a Test Post: Navigate to Posts > Add New, type a quick title and content, and then publish.

• View Your Test Post: Click “View Post” to see how it appears on the front end. Your local site is functional if the post loads quickly and everything looks correct.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Port Conflicts: If Apache fails to start, another service (like Skype) may use port 80. You can change Apache’s port in the XAMPP Control Panel’s configuration or stop the conflicting service.

• MySQL Won’t Start: Check if another MySQL or MariaDB service is running. You may need to change the default MySQL port or turn off the conflicting service.

• Database Connection Errors: Double-check your wp-config.php for spelling errors in the database name, user, or host.
• Blank Pages: Often linked to PHP errors, so check the XAMPP error log.
• Incorrect Folder Placement: Ensure the WordPress folder is inside C:\xampp\htdocs\.

Exploring the WordPress Dashboard

After confirming your site is up, take some time to familiarize yourself with the WordPress dashboard:

• Home Screen: A quick overview of your site’s activity, including recent posts and updates.

• Posts: Manage blog posts, categories, and tags.

• Pages: Create static pages like “About Us” or “Contact.”

• Appearance: Change themes and customize your site’s layout.

• Plugins: Browse, install, and activate plugins for added functionality.

• Settings: Set global parameters like your site title, tagline, permalink structure, etc.

Additional Tips for a Smooth Local WordPress Environment

Installing WordPress on your VPS local host is the first step in building or experimenting with sites locally. Below are some best practices and recommendations to improve your development experience.

Working With Themes and Plugins Locally

One of the most significant advantages of a local WordPress environment is the freedom to experiment with different themes and plugins without impacting a live site.

• Theme Development: If you’re a developer or designer, you can build custom themes and see changes instantly by refreshing your local site.
• Plugin Testing: Want to try new plugin functionalities or test compatibility among multiple plugins? A local environment is the safest place.
• Version Control: Use Git or a similar version control system to track changes in your theme or plugin files. This will make it easy to roll back if something breaks.

Keeping Your Local WordPress Installation Secure

Even though your WordPress site is local, you should still practice basic security measures:

• Regularly Update WordPress, Themes, and Plugins: Even in a local environment, using the latest versions helps you stay aligned with best practices.
• Use Strong Passwords: A good habit, even if no one else can access your local machine.
• Scan for Malware: Occasionally run security scans on your local site, especially if you download plugins or themes from untrusted sources.

Migrating Your Local Site to a Live Server

A typical scenario is to develop a site locally and then move it to a live server:

• Use a Migration Plugin: Popular plugins like All-in-One WP Migration, Duplicator, or WP Migrate can simplify this process.
• Export and Import Databases: You can manually export your local WordPress database using phpMyAdmin and import it into your hosting provider’s database. Remember to update site URLs (e.g., from localhost/mywebsite to example.com).
• Upload Files: Transfer your WordPress files from the local htdocs folder to the server’s public_html (or equivalent) directory via FTP or File Manager.
• Update wp-config.php: Adjust the database credentials to match your live hosting environment.

Moving your site to production requires attention to detail, but once you understand the process, you’ll discover how seamless it can be to develop locally and then go live.

Frequently Asked Questions About Installing WordPress on VPS Windows

Conclusion

Installing WordPress on your VPS local host is an excellent way to hone your development skills, experiment with different themes and plugins, and build entire sites without the complexities of a live hosting environment. By following these 5 Steps to Install WordPress on Your Windows VPS, you gain total control over your WordPress projects in a private, risk-free setting.

Let’s recap our journey:

1. Install a Local Web Server like XAMPP, which bundles Apache, MySQL, and PHP.
2. Download WordPress from the official site to ensure you have the latest, most secure version.
3. Create a Database in phpMyAdmin for your WordPress installation to store all site data.
4. Configure WordPress by editing the wp-config.php file and running the installation wizard.
5. Test and Launch Your Local WordPress Site, ensuring it works correctly before exploring the dashboard.

Once your local site runs, you can test different themes, plugins, or custom code. If you plan to go live, migrate your carefully crafted local project to a hosting provider. The skills you learn through local development translate directly to better debugging, customization, and maintenance of WordPress sites in production.

About the writer

Sajjad Ali wrote this article. Use the provided link to connect with Sajjad on LinkedIn for more insightful content or collaboration opportunities.