How to install Wordpress on Windows under IIS - Step by Step - Part 1

January 10, 2008 – 11:10 am

This is an easy step by step tutorial on how to install Wordpress on a Windows Platform and run it under Internet Information Services (IIS).

The first time I tried to get Wordpress running on Windows and IIS, I gave up after a few hours and installed Apache just because I wanted to see how it works. The problem was that all my other sites were already setup and running in IIS. I was even considering using another IP address so I could use port 80 for apache and the other IP port 80 for IIS.

I decided to give it one last shot. I stopped the Apache service and started IIS services. And just like that WordPress was working under IIS. I was convinced that it was still running on Apache but after testing the port it said it was being used by IIS. I had indirectly fixed the IIS problem in the process of installing apache. I did this by installing WampServer.

Before writing this tutorial I went through the step by step process on another machine and was up and running without a problem. I have insert a few screen captures - just click to enlarge them. Also when I refer to paths or files for example “index.php” do not include the “” apostrophes when typing them in.

Let’s get started on Part 1.

BACKUP

  1. Always a good idea to do a backup before installing new software.

    Download WordPress

  2. I assume you have already downloaded Wordpress. If not, go to http://wordpress.org. At the time of writing this tutorial I used WordPress Version 2.3.2.

    Download WampServer

  3. Download Wampserver - Go to http://www.wampserver.com. WampServer will install PHP, MySQL and Apache all at once. It will also configure the php.ini file for MySQL and WordPress. So you won’t need to change anything in “php.ini”.

    Install WampServer.

  4. Install WampServer.
    1. Run the WampServer file you have just downloaded and go through the install wizard. It’s a pretty basic install wizard
    2. After installation there should be a icon in the system tray. (I looks like a rev counter). If its not there double click the WampServer icon on your desktop.

      WampServer System Tray Icon

    3. Click the icon in the system tray then click -> MySQL -> Service -> Install the Service. (You might get an error after doing this…. don’t worry it will work after we reboot later.)
    4. Again -> Click the icon in the system tray then click -> MySQL -> Service -> Start/Resume Service.
    5. Again -> Click the icon in the system tray then click -> Put Online (You might get an error after doing this…. don’t worry it will work after we reboot later.)

If you have any questions or comments please submit them below.

Let’s continue onto Part 2.

How to install Wordpress on Windows under IIS - Part 2.

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2 Responses to “How to install Wordpress on Windows under IIS - Step by Step - Part 1”



  1. Matt Hudson Says:
    March 5th, 2008 at 6:54 pm

    Thank you for the article. I wasn’t sure about trying this on IIS but it seem to have worked for the most part. I have one problem I’d like to discuss if possible. Not sure if this is the right place to discuss so if not pleased let me know.

    When I go to the http: //localhost/wordpress URL from the server where everything is installed, the pages and links look good. When I do the same thing from my workstation the page comes up but all the graphics are missing. The text on the main page is there but everything is lined up on the left margin. The only links that work are under the Blogroll and Meta sections. However, all links work when viewd from the server.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


  2. Greg Worcester Says:
    September 19th, 2008 at 3:12 am

    Hi. I am going through the Wordpress install routine and I am stuck. I have double checked everything up to the problem point and everything is correct. When I browse to http:\\localhost I get this output:

    The XML page cannot be displayed
    Cannot view XML input using XSL style sheet. Please correct the error and then click the Refresh button, or try again later.
    ——————————————————————————–

    Only one top level element is allowed in an XML document. Error processing resource ‘http://localhost/’. Line 2, Position 2

    Notice: Undefined variable: projectContents in D:\wamp\www\index.php on line …

    Any help would be appreciated

    Thanks, Greg Worcester

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