How To Install WordPress On XAMPP Locally – Step by Step for Beginners

If you’ve ever wanted to build a WordPress site but weren’t ready to buy hosting or risk messing up a live site, here’s the perfect hack: install WordPress on XAMPP locally. This lets you run WordPress straight from your computer, no internet connection, no hosting bills, and total freedom to experiment.

Sounds good? Let’s break it down so you can have a local WordPress site running in less than an hour.

Why Install WordPress on XAMPP?

Before we dive into steps, let’s clear the “why.”

Running WordPress on localhost (your own machine) with XAMPP is like having a private sandbox. You can:

• Test safely – Play with plugins, themes, and custom code without breaking a live site.

• Learn WordPress faster – Perfect for beginners who want to practice without stress.

• Work offline – Build sites even without internet.

• Save money – No need for hosting until you’re ready.

Think of it as your own mini server right on your laptop.

What You’ll Need Before Starting

Nothing too fancy. Just three things:

1. XAMPP software (download free from Apache Friends website).

2. WordPress zip file (download from wordpress.org).

3. A computer (Windows 10, Windows 11, or Mac).

That’s it. No coding skills, no credit card required.

Step 1: Install and Configure XAMPP

1. Head to the official XAMPP download page.

   • Choose your version (Windows, Linux, or Mac).

   • For this guide, we’ll focus on Windows 10/11 (though Mac is almost identical).

2. Run the installer.

   • Select components like Apache and MySQL. (You don’t need all the extra ones like FileZilla or Tomcat for WordPress).

3. Launch the XAMPP Control Panel.

   • Start Apache (handles your local server).

   • Start MySQL (handles your database).

4. Test it.

   • Open your browser and type http://localhost.

   • If you see the XAMPP welcome screen, you’re good to go.

Pro Tip: If Apache doesn’t start, it’s usually a port conflict (Skype or another app using port 80/443). You can fix this by changing Apache’s port in config settings.

Step 2: Download and Prepare WordPress

1. Go to wordpress.org/download and grab the latest version.

2. Unzip the file. You’ll get a folder named wordpress.

3. Copy this folder into the htdocs directory inside your XAMPP installation.

   • On Windows, it’s usually:
     C:\xampp\htdocs

4. Rename the folder to whatever you like, maybe myblog or testsite.

This folder is now your local WordPress website.

Step 3: Create a Database in phpMyAdmin

WordPress needs a database to store posts, users, settings, basically everything.

1. In the XAMPP control panel, click Admin next to MySQL.

2. This opens phpMyAdmin in your browser.

3. Click Databases tab at the top.

4. Create a new database (give it a name like wordpress_db).

You don’t need to add tables manually, WordPress will do that.

Step 4: Run the WordPress Setup

Now the fun part.

1. In your browser, go to:
   http://localhost/myblog (replace “myblog” with your folder name).

2. WordPress will launch its famous five-minute install wizard.

3. Enter the database info:

   • Database Name: wordpress_db (or whatever you created).

   • Username: root

   • Password: (leave blank by default in XAMPP)

   • Host: localhost

4. Click Submit → then Run Installation.

5. Fill in site details:

   • Site Title

   • Username & Password (make something you’ll remember)

   • Email address

Hit Install, and boom, you’ve got WordPress running locally.

Step 5: Login to Your Local WordPress

1. Go to http://localhost/myblog/wp-admin.

2. Enter the username and password you just set up.

3. Welcome to your WordPress dashboard!

From here, you can:

• Install new themes.

• Add plugins.

• Write dummy blog posts.

• Play around without fear of crashing a live site.

Common Errors and Fixes

Even though setup is pretty smooth, here are common roadblocks:

• Apache/MySQL not starting
  – Likely a port conflict. Change Apache’s port from 80 to 8080.

• Database connection error
  – Double-check database name, username = root, and blank password.

• Blank screen after setup
  – Usually a PHP issue. Ensure you downloaded the latest XAMPP version.

FAQs About Installing WordPress on XAMPP

Q: Is XAMPP good for WordPress?
Yes! It’s perfect for learning, testing, or development. But don’t use it as live hosting, it’s not built for public websites.

Q: Can I install on Windows 11 or Mac?
Absolutely. The steps are almost identical. On Mac, your XAMPP folder will be in Applications.

Q: Can I move my local site to real hosting later?
Yes. You can migrate using plugins like Duplicator or manually export/import database and files.

Q: Where can I find video help?
YouTube is full of tutorials if you get stuck. Just search “install WordPress in XAMPP.”

Wrap Up + Extra Tips

Setting up WordPress on XAMPP locally is like unlocking a playground where you’re the only player. No hosting bills, no risks, just pure practice.

Here’s what you can do next:

• Use it to design your blog before buying hosting.

• Try different plugins and note what works best.

• Practice SEO writing and test with an AI Reword Tool to make your posts shine.

• Learn WordPress basics at your own pace.

By the time you’re ready to launch your real site, you’ll be miles ahead of most beginners.