In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how to install PHP on Windows in 2025. PHP remains a vital scripting language in web development, and having it set up correctly on your Windows machine is crucial for building dynamic websites and applications. Follow these steps to get started with PHP on Windows.
Why Install PHP on Windows in 2025?
As web technologies advance, PHP continues to evolve, offering new features and improvements. Installing PHP on Windows enables developers to create and test applications locally, enhancing efficiency and productivity. Whether you’re integrating PHP with other tools or exploring advanced features, setting up PHP on Windows is an essential skill.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure you have the following:
- A Windows PC running the latest version of Windows.
- Administrator access to install software.
- A basic understanding of command line operations.
Step 1: Download PHP for Windows
- Visit the official PHP downloads page.
- Choose the latest stable PHP version (thread-safe recommended for development).
- Download the PHP zip file suitable for your system architecture (x64 or x86).
Step 2: Extract the PHP Files
- Create a new directory on your C drive, such as
C:\PHP
. - Extract the contents of the downloaded PHP zip file into this directory.
Step 3: Configure PHP
- Navigate to the directory where you extracted PHP (
C:\PHP
). - Locate
php.ini-development
and rename it tophp.ini
. - Open
php.ini
using a text editor and configure it as needed:- Set the extension directory:
extension_dir = "ext"
- Enable necessary extensions (e.g.,
extension=curl
,extension=mbstring
).
- Set the extension directory:
Step 4: Add PHP to System Path
- Open System Properties (Right-click on ‘This PC’ > ‘Properties’ > ‘Advanced system settings’).
- Click ‘Environment Variables’.
- Under ‘System variables’, find and select
Path
, then click ‘Edit’. - Click ‘New’ and add
C:\PHP
. - Click ‘OK’ to close the dialog boxes.
Step 5: Verify PHP Installation
- Open Command Prompt and type
php -v
. - If installed correctly, you should see the PHP version details.
Additional PHP Integrations
Once PHP is installed, you might find the following integrations useful:
- Learn how to integrate PHP with PowerShell for seamless automation.
- Discover how to convert LaTeX to PNG using PHP to enhance content management.
- Understand sending mail with SMTP authentication in PHP for efficient email handling.
- Explore counting document elements inside a MongoDB using PHP to manage your data efficiently.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you’ve successfully installed PHP on your Windows machine! With PHP ready to go, you can now embark on building robust web applications and exploring its wide range of functionalities. Stay updated with the latest PHP features and best practices to ensure optimal performance in your projects.
Happy coding! “`
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