How to Install WordPress on Windows PC with WampServer: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever wanted to build a WordPress website but were nervous about making mistakes on a live server? Or maybe you wanted to test new themes and plugins without affecting your existing site? The solution is to install WordPress locally on your own Windows PC.

Creating a local server environment using WampServer is the perfect way to learn, experiment, and build WordPress sites completely offline—for free! It’s safe, fast, and doesn’t require you to buy web hosting or a domain name until you’re ready to go live.

In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process of installing WordPress on your Windows machine using WampServer.

📺 Prefer a visual guide? Watch our step-by-step video tutorial below:

Watch Here

Why Install WordPress Locally with WampServer?

Before we dive in, let's quickly cover why this is such a valuable skill for any WordPress user:

• Develop Offline: Work on your website from anywhere, without an internet connection.

• No Risk: Experiment with code, themes, and plugins without the fear of breaking a live website.

• Speed: Your site will run incredibly fast because everything is hosted on your local machine.

• Cost: It’s completely free. You only need a hosting plan when you’re ready to launch your site to the world.

What You'll Need

• A computer running Windows 10 or Windows 11.

• A few minutes of your time.

Step 1: Download and Install WampServer

First, we need to set up a local server environment on your PC. WampServer provides us with the Apache web server, PHP, and a MySQL database—everything WordPress needs to run.

1. Go to the official WampServer website.

2. Navigate to the "Downloads" section.

3. Choose the 64-bit or 32-bit version based on your Windows system (most modern PCs are 64-bit). Download the version that includes both the server and Visual C++ packages, as they are required.

4. Run the downloaded installer. When prompted, choose a browser (like Chrome or Firefox) and a text editor (like Notepad++ or Sublime Text) for WampServer to use.

5. Follow the installation wizard. It’s recommended to use the default installation directory (C:\wamp64).

Step 2: Start WampServer and Verify It's Working

Once installation is complete, launch WampServer from your desktop shortcut or start menu.

1. Look for the WampServer icon in your system tray (the area with the clock in the bottom-right corner of your screen). It will initially be red, then orange, and finally should turn solid white or green, indicating all services are running.

2. Troubleshooting Tip: If the icon doesn't turn green, it's often due to a port conflict (usually with Skype or IIS). Our video above covers the quickest ways to resolve this common issue.

3. Click the icon and select "Localhost" or open your browser and go to http://localhost. If successful, you’ll see the WampServer homepage.

Step 3: Create a MySQL Database for WordPress

WordPress needs a database to store all your content, pages, and settings.

1. From the WampServer menu or the localhost page, click phpMyAdmin.

2. Log in. The default username is root, and the password field should be left blank.

3. Click on the "Databases" tab at the top.

4. Choose a name for your database (e.g., mywordpress), and click "Create." That’s it! You can now close phpMyAdmin.

Step 4: Download and Prepare WordPress

1. Visit wordpress.org/download and download the latest version of WordPress.

2. Unzip the downloaded file. You will get a folder named wordpress.

3. Copy this entire wordpress folder.

4. Navigate to your WampServer’s www directory (usually C:\wamp64\www).

5. Paste the wordpress folder here. You can rename this folder to your project's name (e.g., mysite). This will be your site's URL (http://localhost/mysite).

Step 5: Run the WordPress Installation

Now for the magic part—the famous 5-minute WordPress install!

1. Open your browser and go to http://localhost/yourfoldername (e.g., http://localhost/mysite).

2. You will see the WordPress installation screen. Select your language and click "Continue."

3. You’ll see a screen listing the information you need. Click "Let's go!"

4. Fill in your database details:

   • Database Name: The name you created earlier (e.g., mywordpress).

   • Username: root

   • Password: (Leave this field blank)

   • Database Host: localhost

   • Table Prefix: wp_ is fine (for security, changing this is recommended for advanced users).

5. Click "Submit" and then "Run the installation."

6. On the final screen, give your site a Title, create an Admin Username and a strong Password, and enter your Email Address.

7. Click "Install WordPress."

Congratulations! You have successfully installed WordPress on your Windows PC. You can now log in to your dashboard at http://localhost/yourfoldername/wp-admin and start building.

What's Next?

You now have a fully functional WordPress playground! Start by:

• Exploring the WordPress dashboard.

• Installing a new theme from Appearance > Themes.

• Adding functionality with plugins from Plugins > Add New.

• Creating your first pages and blog posts.

For a visual walkthrough of every single step, including crucial troubleshooting tips, don’t forget to watch the full video guide:

Click here to watch the complete tutorial on YouTube

If you found this guide helpful, please share it with a friend who’s learning WordPress! Have any questions? Drop a comment on the YouTube video, and I’ll be happy to help.