How to Install Drupal on a Windows workstation

Ryan Moody, [email-masked]

This guide will give you a simple walk through on how to install a Drupal server with all required components.  This includes Apache, PHP, MySQL and the Drupal files.  This will work on Windows 2000 / XP, and Server 2003.

1. Prepare you server for the installation

This step involves removing any software that might conflict with your Apache install, and anything that might stop you from having full control on port 80.  If this is a 2003 server, I recommend that you remove IIS completely.  If you have the Windows firewall (or any other software firewall) enabled, make an exception for port 80 to allow your web traffic.  Not completing this step will cause the Apache installer to fail.

2. Install the XAMPP application by Apache Friends

The XAMPP package is very helpful, as it installs and configures the three main components of your web server automatically – Apache, PHP, MySQL and FileZilla.  Installing these components manually and getting them to work together in perfect harmony is not an easy task, as I learned the hard way.  Many thanks to the designers of XAMPP at Apache Friends!

This file can be found here:
http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html

The only thing that needs to be specified is to run Apache and MySQL as a service.  You can leave FileZilla out, unless you plan on using its FTP functions.

Detailed installation instructions can be found here:
http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html#522

Installation of XAMPP is very straight forward, and I have installed it twice with no complications.  Once Apache is installed and running, double check your installation by pointing your web browser to http://localhost  This should link you to a page that says “IT WORKS!!”

3. Create your MySQL Database

Once you have MySQL installed, you need to log on and create user credentials and a database for Drupal to use.  Detailed Instructions can be found here:

http://www.php-mysql-tutorial.com/mysql-tutorial/create-new-mysql-database.php

4. Copy Drupal files to your server

Next you will need to download the Drupal files from drupal.org.  The current release can be found here:

http://drupal.org/drupal-5.3

You will simply unzip and copy these files to the c:\xampp\htdocs\drupal directory, assuming that you used the default location for your xampp install.  The folder does not exist initially and will need to be created.  The HTDOCS folder in Apache is the same as the wwwroot folder in windows, so all of your web content will be stored there.

5. Run the Drupal Instalation Script

After you have completed step 4, you should be able to point your web browser to http://localhost/drupal/install.php.  This page will prompt you for the MySQL database you created in step three.  Once entered, Drupal will automatically create the tables and ask you to create your first user.  Once the install script is complete, your web server is ready to use.

6. Log onto your new server

You should be able to log onto your fully functional Drupal server at this point.  Take a look at the administration page and go over your options.  Here are some changes I recommend:

·        Set your Apache default document to point directly to your Drupal Install

·        Set the maximum allowable file size limit to something reasonable, like 10mb

·        Remove the modules that you will not need

If you have any questions, your first stop will be the Drupal community at http://drupal.org/forum

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on unofficial pages of California State University, Dominguez Hills faculty, staff or students are strictly those of the page authors. The content of these pages has not been reviewed or approved by California State University, Dominguez Hills.