This page provides instructions for a Drupal developer who'd like to install the Apache webserver on their desktop computer. The instructions assume that you're running a recent version of Windows (NT, 2000, XP, or 2003). Older version like Windows 95, 98 and Me will not be addressed.

Download

The first step is to download the "Win32 Binary (MSI Installer)" from the Apache Software Foundation's website at http://httpd.apache.org/download.cgi. At the time this was written, 2.2.4 was the latest, stable release. The file was named: apache_2.2.4-win32-x86-no_ssl.msi. Make sure you save the file to a location on your hard drive where you locate it.

Run the Installer

Apache comes packaged as an .msi file that uses Microsoft's Installer to automate the installation process. Simply double-clicking on the file will begin the installation.

You'll be presented with several screens that guide you through the installation process:

1. Welcome - Lets you verify the name and version of the program you're installing.
2. License Agreement - Presents you with a license you'll need to accept before you can continue.
3. Read This First - Gives you a chance to review the Apache HTTP Server release notes.
4. Server Information - Prompts you to provide a network domain, server name, administrator email address, and decide how Apache will be run. The default server and domain names detected by the installer are usually fine but I'd recommend setting the administrator email address to something valid. The final setting should be set to the recommended "for All users, on Port 80, as a Service"
5. Setup Type - Allows you to choose between typical and custom setups. The typical setup installs all the required components and is recommended.
6. Destination Folder - Allows you to change the installation directory. The default directory, C:\Program Files\Apache Group\, will be used in the rest of these instructions.
7. Ready to Install the Program - Gives you a final chance to confirm the installation. After clicking Install, you can sit back and watch the blue bar. You may see several black windows pop up; this is a normal part of the installation process.
8. Competed - Simply informs you that everything has completed successfully.

After the installation process has finished, you may be presented with Windows Security Alert dialog box asking if you'd like to keep blocking the Apache server. Click the "Unblock" button to allow Apache to start.

The Apache HTTP Server is now running on your local computer as a service. This means that every time your computer starts, whether you are logged in or not, the program will be running in the background.

Monitor Apache

For your convenience, a program called the Apache Service Monitor is also installed. It appears as an icon in the Windows system tray (located by default in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen by the clock). The icon allows you to tell at a glance if the server is running or not. A green "play" arrow indicates it is running while a red square indicates it is stopped.

Left-clicking it opens a pop up menu allowing you to start, stop, or restart the service. Right-clicking on it opens a pop up menu allowing you to open the server monitor form, open the Windows Services control panel (equivalent to clicking Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services), or close down the service monitor.

Test Apache

Using your browser of choice, view http://localhost. You should see a default Apache page informing you that "It works!" and the installation was successful.