How to Install the PHP Engine on a Windows PC

Installing the PHP engine on your Windows PC is fairly straightforward but does require a previous installation of some type of web server. Apache is a free web server downloaded from the Internet and is available for installation. After installation of the Apache server on the computer, you can install the PHP engine. You must make a few minor changes to the default choices during the installation.

Instructions

1. Make sure that you have installed Apache web server on your computer and that it is functioning properly by accessing the Apache default page using your browser and using a location of "http://localhost/." If any other page displays, then check your installation of Apache and correct it before proceeding.

2. Download the PHP Installer Windows Installer and the PHP zip files. You need to make sure that you are downloading the most recent set of files. Also, make sure the Windows Installer package is the same version as the zip files. Make sure the version that you obtain is the latest stable Windows binary files.

3. Double-click the PHP Installer Windows Installer. Select "Advanced Installation" and change the installation directory to the path C:\server\PHP. This will install the package to a directory, PHP, which exists under the server directory. As you proceed with the installation, you must agree to the license before being able to install the package.

4. Accept all of the defaults that the installer program prompts you about. When queried about your web server, select Apache and when asked if you want to keep your php.ini file select "No." The engine should finish installing and close. You now need to change some of the Apache web server settings. Once this is finished you are ready to go.