Installing Apache on Windows

By Michael J. Ross
2008-02-20


Installing Apache

Find the installation file, apache_2.2.8-win32-x86-no_ssl.msi, wherever you saved it on your PC. Open the file, which starts the installation process, using the Windows MSI Installer.

At the welcome dialog box, click the "Next" button.

At the license dialog box, check the radio button to indicate that you accept the license, and click the "Next" button.

The "Read This First" dialog box contains information that may be of interest to new users, but does not need to be read for the installation. Click the "Next" button.

In the server information dialog box, Apache has set the initial domain name ("Network Domain") to "domain_not_set.invalid", as a clear indication to you that the value needs to be replaced with something valid. For the local Web server that you are setting up, the correct value is "localhost". The "Server Name" value can be set to any string. The administration e-mail address is typically set to "root@localhost". It is recommended that you install Apache for all Windows users, on port 80, as a service.

Once you have confirmed that all three new values you typed in are correct, click the "Next" button.

The Apache installation will contain components that are optional, such as the documentation and the taskbar icon. For most users, the typical setup will be fine. But if you wish to save some disk space by excluding the documentation from the installation, or do not want another icon in your Windows taskbar, choose the "Custom" setup option, which we will do here.

By default, Apache will be installed in C:\Program Files\Apache Software Foundation\Apache2.2\. Either setup option allows you to change the destination folder. But if the install wizard detects a previous Apache instance, it will not display the destination folder, nor the button to change it. In that case, click the "Next" button and on the resultant dialog box click the "Previous" button, returning you to the "Custom Setup" dialog box. You should then see the destination folder and "Change" button. After you have made all of your choices, click the "Next" button.

You are now ready to install Apache's files. Click the "Install" button.

The installation process contains many steps, and you will see several DOS boxes pop up and then disappear, as Apache performs various operations on individual command lines. When the installation wizard has completed, it will display a final dialog box.

Click the "Finish" button. You are now ready to verify that the installation was successful.

Tutorial Pages:
» Installing Apache on Windows
» Apache Already Installed?
» Downloading Apache
» Installing Apache
» Testing Apache
» Configuring Apache
» More Resources

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