How to Install WordPress on Windows 10 and Windows 11 (2026 Updated Guide)

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Step-by-step guide showing how to install WordPress on Windows 10 and Windows 11 in 2026 using a local setup.

Last Updated on April 30, 2026

Welcome to this complete step-by-step guide on how to install WordPress on Windows 10 and Windows 11 using XAMPP.

If you want to learn WordPress development, test plugins, build websites locally, or practice before launching your website online, installing WordPress on localhost is the best solution. Using XAMPP, you can easily create a local server environment on your Windows PC with Apache, MySQL, and PHP.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn exactly how to install WordPress on localhost for both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

WordPress is one of the world’s most popular and beginner-friendly CMS platforms, widely used for blogs, business websites, portfolios, and eCommerce stores.

If you are new to WordPress, you may also want to learn: What is WordPress? and How does it work?

In this article, we’ll focus on how to install WordPress on localhost in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Install WordPress on Windows 10/11 Using XAMPP

To install WordPress locally on your Windows computer, XAMPP is one of the easiest and most reliable tools. Follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Download and Install XAMPP

  1. Visit the official Apache Friends website: https://www.apachefriends.org/index.html
  2. Download the latest version of XAMPP for Windows 10 or Windows 11.
  3. Run the installer file and follow the setup instructions.
  4. The default installation path is usually: C:\xampp

Before installing WordPress, you need a local server environment. If you need a full setup tutorial, read: How to Install XAMPP on Windows

Step 2: Start XAMPP Server

  1. Open the XAMPP Control Panel from your desktop or installation folder.
  2. Start both Apache and MySQL services.
XAMPP Control Panel showing Apache and MySQL services running on Windows computer for WordPress localhost setup
Step 2: Start Apache and MySQL in XAMPP Control Panel to create your localhost server for WordPress installation

Once both services are running, open your browser and type:

http://localhost/
or
http://127.0.0.1/

Both URLs will open your XAMPP dashboard.

Step 3: Create a MySQL Database

Open: http://localhost/phpmyadmin

Click on the Databases tab.

Enter your preferred database name (usually your website name) and click Create.

phpMyAdmin database creation screen showing new MySQL database setup for WordPress on localhost
Step 3: Create a new MySQL database in phpMyAdmin for your WordPress localhost website setup

Step 4: Download WordPress

Download the latest WordPress version from the official website: https://wordpress.org/download

Official WordPress download page showing latest WordPress package download for localhost installation
Step 4: Download the latest WordPress version from the official WordPress website for localhost setup

Step 5: Place WordPress Files in Root Directory

After downloading:

  1. Extract the WordPress ZIP file.
  2. Copy the extracted WordPress folder into:

For XAMPP: C:\xampp\htdocs\

For WAMP: C:\wamp\www\

You can rename the WordPress folder to your website name, such as mywordpress.

Important: Avoid spaces or special characters in the folder name.

Step 6: Verify WordPress File Structure

Make sure all WordPress files and folders are available properly inside your installation folder.

WordPress installation folder showing core files and folders inside XAMPP htdocs directory
Step 6: Verify all WordPress core files and folders are correctly placed in your localhost directory before installation

Let’s See: What is WordPress and how does it work?

Step 7: Open WordPress Installation Setup

In your browser, enter: http://localhost/mywordpress

Select your website language and click Continue.

WordPress setup screen on localhost showing language selection page in browser
Step 7: Open your WordPress localhost URL in the browser to begin the WordPress installation process

Now click Let’s Go.

How do I install WordPress for free?

Enter your database details:

Database Name: Your created database name

Username: root

Password: Leave blank

Database Host: localhost

Table Prefix: wp_ (or custom)

WordPress database connection form showing database name username password and host details for localhost installation
Enter your MySQL database details to connect WordPress with your localhost database server for installation

Click Submit.

Let’s See: How to install XAMPP on Windows?

Step 8: Run the WordPress Installation

Step8: Run the Installation
Step8: Run the Installation

Click Run the Installation.

Step 9: Configure Your Website

Enter the following details:

Website Name: Your site title
Username: Admin login username
Password: Strong password
Confirm Password: Check the confirmation box
Email: Your admin email
Search Engine Visibility: Check this option if your site is under development

WordPress installation configuration page showing site title username password and email setup form
Step 9: Configure your WordPress website by setting your site title, admin username, password, and email address

Click Install WordPress.

Step 10: Login to WordPress Admin Dashboard

After successful installation, you’ll see the success screen below:

WordPress admin login screen on localhost showing username and password fields
Step 10: Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard using your username and password to manage your website

Now log in using your admin username and password.

WordPress localhost admin login page with username and password fields
Step 10: Log in to the WordPress admin panel on localhost to access your website dashboard. Select 85 more words to run Humanizer.

Admin URL: http://localhost/yourwordpress/wp-admin

Frontend URL: http://localhost/yourwordpress

WordPress frontend homepage running on localhost showing default site after installation
Frontend URL: http://localhost/yourwordpress — This is the public-facing homepage of your WordPress site running on localhost after installation

From your WordPress dashboard, you can now create:

  • Posts
  • Pages
  • Menus
  • Plugins
  • Themes
  • Categories

Final Thoughts

Congratulations! You have successfully installed WordPress on Windows 10 or Windows 11 using XAMPP.

This local WordPress setup allows you to:

  • Learn WordPress safely
  • Build and test websites offline
  • Develop custom themes and plugins
  • Practice before launching live

After installation, you may need a professional WordPress theme for your website: Themesrain WordPress Themes

Let’s See: How to Create a WordPress Plugin

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I install WordPress on Windows 10 and Windows 11 for free?

Yes, WordPress is completely free to download and install. You can use XAMPP or WAMP to create a free localhost environment on Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Is XAMPP safe for WordPress installation?

Yes, XAMPP is a trusted and widely used local server solution for WordPress development, testing, and offline website creation.

What are the system requirements for installing WordPress on localhost?

You need Windows 10 or Windows 11, XAMPP or WAMP, at least 2GB RAM, and sufficient disk space for WordPress files and database storage.

What is the default database username and password in XAMPP?

By default, the database username is root and the password is blank (empty) unless you manually change it.

Can I install plugins and themes on localhost WordPress?

Yes, localhost WordPress works like a live website, allowing you to install themes, plugins, and customize your website fully.

How do I access WordPress admin after installation?

You can access your admin dashboard by visiting: http://localhost/yourwordpressfolder/wp-admin

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