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April 1, 2026Noble Desktop Publishing Team/7 min read

Installing WordPress

Complete Guide to Local WordPress Development Setup

WordPress Installation Overview

3
Main Steps Required
2
Server Platforms Supported
1
Database Required

Topics Covered in This WordPress Tutorial:

Creating a Database, Installing WordPress, Creating a Wp-config.php File

Exercise Preview

installing WordPress

Exercise Overview

With your local development environment properly configured, you're ready to install WordPress on your computer and begin building your site. This comprehensive exercise will guide you through the essential steps: creating a MySQL database, installing the WordPress core files, and configuring your site's database connection. These foundational skills are critical for any developer working with WordPress, whether you're building client sites, testing themes and plugins, or developing custom solutions. Mastering local installations will save you time and provide a safe environment for experimentation without affecting live sites.

Prerequisites Checklist

0/3

Creating a Database

  1. Every WordPress installation begins with establishing a dedicated database. WordPress relies entirely on MySQL databases to store all your content—posts, pages, user data, settings, media references, and plugin configurations. Without this database foundation, WordPress simply cannot function. You'll use phpMyAdmin, the industry-standard web-based MySQL administration tool, to create and manage your database. Let's start by launching your local server environment and accessing phpMyAdmin:
Why WordPress Needs a Database

WordPress relies on MySQL databases to store all content including posts, settings, and images. The database is the foundation of your WordPress installation.

Mac

  1. Open MAMP (Hard Drive > Applications > MAMP > MAMP.app).
  2. The Apache and MySQL Servers should start automatically. You should see green squares next to them light up. If not, click Start Servers.
  3. If the MAMP start page does not open automatically, click the Open WebStart page button.
  4. On the start page, in the nav menu, go to Tools > phpMyAdmin.
  5. Click the Databases tab at the top.
  6. In the Create database field, enter: mrpBlog as shown below:

    mamp_createDatabase

  7. Click the Create button.

Mac Setup Steps

1

Start MAMP

Navigate to Applications > MAMP > MAMP.app and ensure Apache and MySQL servers show green status

2

Access phpMyAdmin

Use WebStart page navigation to Tools > phpMyAdmin

3

Create Database

Click Databases tab, enter 'mrpBlog' as database name, and click Create

Windows

  1. If XAMPP is not already running, navigate to C:/xampp, then double–click xampp-control.exe and start the Apache and MySQL services.
  2. Open Chrome and in the URL field, enter: localhost
  3. On the start page, in the Tools section, click phpMyAdmin.
  4. Click the Databases tab at the top.
  5. In the Create database field, enter: mrpBlog as shown below:

    create mrpBlog db xampp

  6. Click the Create button.

Now that your database is created, you're ready to move on to installing the WordPress files themselves.

Windows Setup Steps

1

Start XAMPP

Run xampp-control.exe from C:/xampp and start Apache and MySQL services

2

Access phpMyAdmin

Navigate to localhost and click phpMyAdmin in Tools section

3

Create Database

Use Databases tab to create 'mrpBlog' database

Installing WordPress

For this exercise, we've provided the WordPress files to streamline your learning process. In professional practice, always download the latest version directly from WordPress.org to ensure you have the most current security patches and features. As of 2026, WordPress continues to evolve rapidly, with regular updates that enhance performance, security, and functionality.

Understanding version compatibility is crucial for professional WordPress development. Different WordPress versions require specific PHP versions to function properly. If you're using the latest version of MAMP at home, you may need to adjust your PHP version to ensure compatibility with the WordPress version used in this tutorial.

Version Compatibility Important

Different WordPress versions require specific PHP versions. Always verify compatibility between your local server PHP version and WordPress requirements.

If You're Using MAMP at Home

  1. In MAMP, click Preferences.
  2. Along the top, click on the PHP tab.
  3. Select the previous version of PHP (such as 7.0.22).
  4. Click OK so that the servers restart.

  1. Download the class files. Refer to the Downloading the Class Files page at the beginning of the workbook on how to download and install the class files.

  2. Navigate to the Desktop, go into the Class Files folder, then the WordPress.org Class folder.

  3. Select the WordPress-4.1 folder and hit Cmd–C (Mac) or CTRL–C (Windows) to copy.

  4. Go to your htdocs folder:
    • Mac: Hard Drive > Applications > MAMP > htdocs
    • Windows: C: > xampp > htdocs

  5. Hit Cmd–V (Mac) or CTRL–V (Windows) to paste the WordPress-4.1 folder.

  6. Rename the new pasted folder mrpBlog

With WordPress files in place, the next critical step is establishing the connection between WordPress and your database through the configuration file.

MAMP Configuration Process

Step 1

PHP Version Setup

Configure MAMP to use PHP 7.0.22 for WordPress 4.1 compatibility

Step 2

File Installation

Copy WordPress-4.1 folder to htdocs directory

Step 3

Folder Rename

Rename copied folder to 'mrpBlog' for project organization

Creating a Wp-config.php File

The wp-config.php file serves as the bridge between your WordPress installation and your database—it's one of the most important files in your WordPress setup. This configuration file contains your database connection details, security keys, and various WordPress settings that control how your site operates. WordPress provides two methods for creating this file: an intuitive web-based setup wizard or manual file creation. For beginners, the web interface offers a user-friendly approach that reduces the chance of syntax errors.

  1. Open Chrome and go to:
    • Mac: localhost:8888/mrpBlog
    • Windows: localhost/mrpBlog

  2. English (United States) should be selected, so click Continue.

  3. Click the Let's go! button at the bottom of the page.

  4. Enter the following database information carefully. These credentials must match exactly what you configured in your local server environment:

    Mac
    Database Name: mrpBlog
    User Name: root
    Password: root
    Database Host: localhost
    Table Prefix: wp_
    Windows
    Database Name: mrpBlog
    User Name: root
    Password: (leave blank for local install)
    Database Host: localhost
    Table Prefix: wp_

    Database Configuration: Mac vs Windows

    FeatureMac (MAMP)Windows (XAMPP)
    Database NamemrpBlogmrpBlog
    Usernamerootroot
    Passwordrootblank
    Hostlocalhostlocalhost
    URL Accesslocalhost:8888localhost
    Recommended: Key difference: Windows XAMPP uses blank password while Mac MAMP uses 'root'

Getting Database Information for Wp-config.php

Understanding where to locate your database credentials is essential for WordPress development. For local installations, this information is always available through your server environment's start page—MAMP or XAMPP will display the host, username, and password for the MySQL server. For more detailed database information, phpMyAdmin provides a comprehensive interface where you can view database names in the left sidebar and examine table structures, including prefixes. This same process applies when migrating WordPress sites to live servers, though production environments typically use more secure credentials than the default "root" setup used locally.

  • Click Submit.

  • Click Run the install.

  • For Site Title, enter: Monteith Restoration & Performance

  • For Username, enter: mrpAdmin

    Security best practice: Never use "admin" as your username. This common default makes WordPress sites vulnerable to brute force attacks, as hackers typically target this obvious username first. Always choose unique, non-obvious usernames for better security.

  • For Password, enter and re-enter: student

    For production sites, implement strong passwords with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. We're using a simple password here purely for educational convenience.

  • For Your Email, enter an email address that you can access throughout this course. This email will receive important WordPress notifications, including security updates and password reset requests. Double-check the address for accuracy before proceeding.

  • Uncheck Allow search engines to index this site.

    Important note: This setting prevents search engines from indexing your local development site, which is exactly what you want during development. For live websites, you'll want to enable this setting to ensure your site appears in search results.

  • Click the Install WordPress button.

    Success! You've completed a professional WordPress installation. This process demonstrates the core skills needed for any WordPress deployment, whether local, staging, or production environments.

  • Click the Log In button.

  • For Username, enter: mrpAdmin

  • For Password, enter: student

  • Click Log in.

    Welcome to the WordPress Dashboard—your command center for managing every aspect of your WordPress site. This is where you'll spend much of your time as a WordPress administrator, accessing posts, pages, themes, plugins, users, and site settings. The Dashboard serves as the gateway to WordPress's extensive content management capabilities.

    The WordPress Dashboard utilizes responsive design principles, adapting its layout based on screen size and device type. This tutorial assumes you're working on a desktop with adequate screen real estate to display the full interface as intended. On smaller screens, certain elements may be repositioned or condensed—for instance, the left navigation menu may display as icons only on mobile devices.

    dashboard desktop

  • At the top of the page, click the Monteith Restoration & Performance title to view your site's front-end.

    Professional tip: The gray admin toolbar visible at the top is only displayed to logged-in users and remains hidden from public visitors. This toolbar provides quick access to administrative functions while browsing your site.

    • Database Information Sources

    MAMP/XAMPP Start Page

    Provides host, username, and password information for MySQL server. Always accessible from the homepage of your local development environment.

    phpMyAdmin Interface

    Shows database names in left sidebar and table prefix information when database is selected. Essential for database-specific details.

    Remote Server Migration

    Same process applies when moving WordPress sites to live servers. Database credentials will be different but methodology remains consistent.

    Security Best Practice

    Never use 'admin' as your WordPress username. This makes sites vulnerable to hackers attempting to crack administrator passwords through common username attacks.

    Key Takeaways

    1WordPress installation requires three main components: a MySQL database, WordPress files, and proper wp-config.php configuration
    2Different local development environments (MAMP vs XAMPP) have varying default database credentials that must be configured correctly
    3PHP version compatibility is critical - WordPress 4.1 requires PHP 7.0.22 or compatible versions for proper functionality
    4Database creation through phpMyAdmin is the first essential step before installing WordPress files
    5The wp-config.php file serves as the crucial bridge connecting your WordPress installation to the database
    6WordPress offers both web interface and manual methods for creating configuration files, with web interface being more user-friendly
    7Proper username selection during setup is important for security - avoid common usernames like 'admin' to prevent vulnerability
    8Local development database information can always be referenced through MAMP or XAMPP start pages for troubleshooting

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