🖥️ What is XAMPP? A Complete Guide to Installation for Beginners (2025)

💡 Introduction: What is XAMPP?

If you are a web developer or student learning PHP, MySQL, or WordPress, you’ve probably heard about XAMPP.
XAMPP is a free and open-source cross-platform web server package developed by Apache Friends. It helps you create a local server environment on your computer for developing and testing websites before uploading them to a live web server.

⚙️ What Does XAMPP Stand For?

XAMPP is an acronym:

• X = Cross-platform (Windows, Linux, macOS)
• A = Apache (Web Server)
• M = MySQL (Database)
• P = PHP (Server-side scripting language)
• P = Perl (Programming language)

Together, these components make XAMPP a powerful and easy-to-use tool for local web development.

🧩 Why Use XAMPP?

Here are some key reasons why developers prefer XAMPP:

• ✅ Easy Installation – One-click setup for Apache, PHP, and MySQL
• ✅ Cross-Platform Support – Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
• ✅ Free & Open Source – No license required
• ✅ Local Server Testing – Safely test your code before going live
• ✅ Built-in Tools – phpMyAdmin, FileZilla FTP server, Mercury Mail, and more

🪄 How to Install XAMPP (Step-by-Step Guide)

Let’s go through the installation process of XAMPP on your system.

🪟 Step 1: Download XAMPP

• Go to the official website: https://www.apachefriends.org
• Choose your operating system — Windows, Linux, or macOS.
• Click the Download button to get the latest version of XAMPP.

⚡ Step 2: Run the Installer

• After downloading, locate the XAMPP installer file (for example, xampp-windows-x64-installer.exe) in your Downloads folder.
• Right-click and choose Run as Administrator.
• If a warning appears, click Yes to continue.

⚙️ Step 3: Choose Components

You’ll see a list of components such as:

• Apache
• MySQL
• PHP
• phpMyAdmin
• FileZilla FTP Server

👉 Keep the default selection (Apache, MySQL, PHP, phpMyAdmin) and click Next.

📂 Step 4: Select Installation Folder

Choose the location where you want to install XAMPP.
By default, it installs in:
C:\xampp

Click Next to proceed.

🔄 Step 5: Complete the Installation

• Once the setup is complete, click Finish.
• The XAMPP Control Panel will open automatically.

🧠 Step 6: Start Apache and MySQL

In the XAMPP Control Panel:

1. Click Start next to Apache and MySQL.
2. If both modules turn green, your local server is running successfully.
3. Open your browser and type http://localhost/ — you should see the XAMPP dashboard!

🎉 Congratulations! You have successfully installed XAMPP on your computer.

🛠️ How to Test PHP on XAMPP

To test if PHP is working:

1. Open the folder: C:\xampp\htdocs
2. Create a new file named test.php
3. Add the following code:

<?php
echo "Hello, XAMPP is working!";
?>

1. Save the file.
2. Open your browser and type http://localhost/test.php

If you see “Hello, XAMPP is working!”, your setup is perfect.

🧱 How to Uninstall XAMPP (If Needed)

If you ever want to remove XAMPP:

1. Open Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.
2. Select XAMPP and click Uninstall.
3. Delete the leftover C:\xampp folder if needed.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Installing XAMPP is one of the first steps in learning web development. It allows you to test PHP, MySQL, and even WordPress locally without needing a live hosting plan.

If you’re a beginner, XAMPP gives you a safe, offline environment to experiment and learn before publishing your website online.