In this guide, we will walk you through the process of downloading, installing, and configuring XAMPP on Windows 10 or 11. By the end of this article, you will have a fully functional local web server using Apache, allowing you to test and run your own webpages on localhost.

Step 1: Download XAMPP

1. Open your preferred web browser and go to the official XAMPP website: https://www.apachefriends.org.
2. On the homepage, locate the XAMPP for Windows version and click the download link.
3. If the download doesn’t start automatically, you can also get it from SourceForge (a trusted open-source platform).

Step 2: Install XAMPP

1. Once the download is complete, locate the installer file (usually in the Downloads folder).
2. Double-click the installer to launch the setup wizard.
3. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow the installation.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions:

• Click Next on the welcome screen.
• Select the components you want to install (default selection includes Apache, MySQL, PHP, and phpMyAdmin).
• Choose the installation directory (default is C:\xampp).
• Click Next and proceed with the installation.

1. Once installed, click Finish to exit the setup wizard.

Step 3: Launch XAMPP Control Panel

1. Open the Start Menu and search for XAMPP Control Panel.
2. Run the application as Administrator (right-click > Run as administrator).
3. The XAMPP Control Panel will display different modules (Apache, MySQL, FileZilla, etc.).

Step 4: Start Apache Server

1. In the XAMPP Control Panel, locate Apache and click the Start button.
2. If successful, the Apache status will turn green, indicating that the server is running.
3. (Optional) If you need a database, you can also start MySQL the same way.

Step 5: Test Your Local Server

1. Open any web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge).
2. In the address bar, type:

   http://localhost

3. Press Enter—you should see the XAMPP dashboard, confirming that your local server is working.

Step 6: Host Your Own Webpage on Localhost

If you have a custom HTML/PHP webpage, follow these steps to host it:

1. Locate the XAMPP htdocs folder:

• Navigate to C:\xampp\htdocs (or your chosen installation directory).
• This is where all your website files should be stored.

1. Copy your webpage files:

• If you have an HTML file (e.g., index.html), place it inside the htdocs folder.
• If your project has multiple files, create a subfolder (e.g., mywebsite) and place all files inside it.

1. Access your webpage:

• Open your browser and enter:
  http://localhost/yourfilename.html
  (Replace yourfilename.html with your actual file name.)
• If stored in a subfolder:
  http://localhost/mywebsite/

Conclusion

You have now successfully:
✔ Installed XAMPP on Windows 10/11.
✔ Configured Apache to run a local web server.
✔ Tested the server using localhost.
✔ Hosted your own custom webpage on XAMPP.

This setup is perfect for web developers, students, and hobbyists who want to test websites before deploying them live.

Tags & Hashtags

#XAMPP #Localhost #WebDevelopment #Apache #Windows10 #Windows11 #WebServer #HTML #PHP #Programming #Coding #BeginnersGuide

Let us know in the comments if you face any issues—happy coding!

Rakesh Bhardwaj

Rakesh Bhardwaj is a seasoned editor and designer with over 15 years of experience in the creative industry. He specializes in crafting visually compelling and professionally polished content, blending precision with creativity. Whether refining written work or designing impactful visuals, Rakesh brings a deep understanding of layout, typography, and narrative flow to every project he undertakes.

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