Windows installation using XAMPPXAMPP is a fully functional web server package. It is built to test web based programs on a personal computer. It is not meant for online access via the web on a production server. This page describes how to install the XAMPP webserver package of programs and how to install a Moodle standard package on the server which was created. TIP: These guidelines are intended for a Standard Moodle installation on a Windows PC for a private or test Moodle installation, not a production (public) site or service. XAMPP-lite is used to create a Complete install packages for Windows which has a different installation process. CONTENTS [hide] 1 Overview o 1.1 XAMPP o 1.2 XAMPP using Bitnami to install Moodle 2 Preparation o 2.1 Get Moodle o 2.2 Get XAMPP o 2.3 Allow yourself some time 3 Create XAMPP webserver o 3.1 Installing XAMPP o 3.2 Launch XAMPP 4 Option create the database 7 Moodle install confirmed o 6.4 Paths for Moodle installation o 6.3 Diagnostic report o 6.1 Extract standard Moodle package files o 5.2 Installs but will not load after creating admin .3.1 Go to moodle in web browser o 6.2 Moodledata folder 6 Start of initial Moodle install o 6.o 4.8 Moodle copyright & license o 6.1 Bitnami o 7.2 Select language o 6.1 MySQL security 5 Prepare server for Moodle o 5.5 MySQL database settings o 6.3. using Windows 10? 7.1 Moodle Networking does not work 7.2 Skype o 7.3 Still having problems but do not have Skype installed.9 Now you can Moodle 7 Troubleshooting o 7.6 Server check o 6. Windows 10 is the desktop latest and greatest. o Alternative rename the moodle folder if you plan on having different versions of Moodle . You may find the older instructions in previous versions of MoodleDocs.8 See also Overview Note: This page was updated showing an installation for XAMPP 1.It will ask if you want to install it at C:\xampp o Alternatively. your localhost webserver is running.7.org Install XAMPP .1:181 Type localhost in your browser.8 and Moodle is 3. This is a guide for installing XAMPP and Moodle on a computer. It is now October 2015 and XAMPP's current version is 5.0 Windows is no longer supporting XP. Unpack the latest version of Moodle into the c:\xampp\htdoc folder. install in C:\xampp123 if you plan on installing more than one webserver Use control.0.0.6.0. The instructions are in the process of being updated.1 but some older screenshots were kept. XAMPP Download the latest version of XAMPP from Apachefriends.exe in the XAMPP folder to start and stop Apache and MySQL Note the MySQL port. If Apache will not start because of a port conflict o then use config button to change the http listening port to something like 127. or 127.0.1:181 (if you changed the port number) You should get to localhost/xampp splash page. 1:181\moodle31 You will need to know port number and the usual Moodle Installation initial questions. even when things don't look like anything is happening. if the install says your MySQL database is too old go to the c:\xampp\htdocs\moodlel\config.0.0.o For example rename it something like C:\xampp\htdocs\moodle31 In your web browser type in 127. or 127. The dbuser = 'root' and dbpass =.0.0.0. You will need to know port number and the usual Moodle Installation initial questions. o Xampp uses the Mariadb database (based upon MySql).0. If Apache will not start because of a port conflict o then use config button to change the listening port to something like 127.1:181 Type localhost in your browser. The Moodle install process takes a long time. The Moodle install process takes a long time.1:181 (if you changed the port number) You should get to localhost/xampp splash page. even when things don't look like anything is happening. o If you have not changed the database password.exe in XAMPP folder to start and stop Apache and MySQL Note the MySQL port.org Install XAMPP Use control. Be patient.1\moodle or 127. Be patient.php file and change the database line to $CFG->dbtype = 'mariadb'. XAMPP using Bitnami to install Moodle Download the latest version of XAMPP from Apachefriends. Click on the Moodle icon to allow Bitnami to install the latest version of Moodle.0. .0. Get XAMPP Go to apachefriends. download what you need into a folder for a later install. Create XAMPP webserver Installing XAMPP .org Standard install packages. Allow yourself some time Allow an hour or more to get to the Moodle Front Page on a new site.What follows are old XP instructions which will not help much. TIP: On slower internet connections. Alternative. Installer is about 1/2 the size of the same package as a zip file. once XAMPP is installed use the Moodle link and allow Bitnami to download a current version and start the free install for you.org and download XAMPP for Windows. There are several XAMPP packages to download. This example assumes that you have downloaded the “Installer” package. Preparation Get Moodle Download the standard version of Moodle you wish to install from Moodle. The time will depend upon the speed of your computer. download connection and of course your familiarity with the process. The serious moodler might create a MoodleZip folder to put all their different Moodle related zipfiles. Say yes. this will take a while! Eventually you will be presented with the option to install Apache. 2. It is useful. . MySQL. If all is well you will see something like this. Launch XAMPP There are several ways to start your webserver. You can find the XAMPP-control. A best practice is to give the xampp folder a name that is unique. Filezilla and Mercury as a service. eventually you will be presented with an option about where to install the package. locate the shortcut XAMPP icon and double click to launch the Control Panel. there are several start stop bat and exe files in the xampp folder. For example in C:\xampp568 Continue with the installation. o When the XAMPP Control Panel has launched. Alternatively. You can always enable these as services later.Run the installer. It’s probably best to choose “No” for now. click the “Start” buttons for Apache and MySQL (see below). The XAMPP-control. Next you’ll be asked if you want to start the XAMPP Control Panel.exe file in your XMAMPP folder. Server directory start/stop files One way to start/stop: XAMPP control panel 1. On your Desktop.exe file takes the place of these. enter the name of your database in the “Create new database” field. From the "Collation" drop down list select "utf8_unicode_ci" Click the “Create” button to create the database. The recent versions of XAMPP do not set a password for root. Option create the database In some older versions of Moodle. type localhost/phpmyadmin or 127. Go to the file C:\xampp\phpmyadmin\config. they also work for MariaDB which is part of XAMPP. the superuser.0. While these instructions refer to MySQL. You should see the database on the left with your "moodle MySQL database name without files in it and/or a notice that it was created. you can create the database before starting the Moodle install and then put that database name when Moodle asks for it. Usually this is simply moodle.1/xampp/ in the address bar.x this is not necessary. edit the line $cfg['Servers'][$i]['password'] = . the "Running" text with the green background keeps disappearing) and you are using Skype or another program that uses port 80 e. it was necessary to created the database before Moodle could install the tables as part of the install process. When phpMy Admin has launched in your browser window. but you might say moodle310. However.inc. To create a MySQL database for your Moodle “site” we will use the phpMyAdmin utility included with XAMPP.If Apache fails to run i.php. For example to: .0. MySQL security Security on a localhost may not be a big concern. To access phpmyadmin launch the web browser of your choice.g. In Moodle 3.e. IIS please review "Troubleshooting" at the end of these instructions. If you have set a password you will be prompted for it. A default folder named “moodle” is created with all the Moodle folders and files within it. Moodledata folder It is a good practice to manually create the moodledata folder. Extract the Moodle files to htdocs. If you anticipate adding different versions of moodle on your XAMPP server. and php folders. You may have to change the permissions of the folder in some operating systems. The easiest method is to extract everything in the file to the htdocs folder that XAMPP just created. apache. etc. In an standard default install. course and user data/files will be located). select properties and the "Security" tab. For example: "C:\xampp\moodledata301" or "C:\xampp\moodledata350". To do this right click on the moodledata folder. Start of initial Moodle install .$cfg['Servers'][$i]['password'] = 'password2016'. give the moodledata folder a unique name. Prepare server for Moodle You will need to extract the folders and files from the downloaded package and create the moodledata folder (where images. Another box will pop up. Moodle will look for it in the top most level of folders on your server. Extract standard Moodle package files Locate the zip file of the standard install package you downloaded from Moodle. Most Windows operating systems come with an program that will recognize a zip file and ask you where you want to extract the files. If you anticipate wanting to have different versions of Moodle on this web server.org. the same level as htdocs. Select "Users" and give them "Modify" and "Write" permissions. change the name of the3 folder from moodle to say "moodle31' and then the next one to say "moodle35". along with whatever existed already. You will use your favorite web browser to do this. We will just cover the first few screens. Clicking on the report link will give you some hints to cure the problem. Next you need to get Moodle to install itself. Go to moodle in web browser Browser address In your web browser. . Other pages in MoodleDocs describe the install process.You have now installed a webserver on your computer. Select language Click the “Next” button. Paths for Moodle installation The paths for your Moodle installation are shown – accept these or amend as desired. Select language The initial install page will ask you to choose your preferred language. Click the “Next” button to continue. If not you may need to address some issues. Generally speaking a line that has a "check" in the status column will allow you to continue. type the path to the folder containing the Moodle files in te address bar – in this example it’s http://localhost/moodle. Diagnostic report A diagnostic report is displayed – hopefully every line has an "OK" in the status column. 0. TIP: You may want a separate database for each version of Moodle. place that user and the password here. In later versions of Moodle you maybe asked for the database port number. MySQL database settings The interface on this screen changes over time. MySQL database settings screen . However. The default maybe 3306. As a best practice. UsephpMyAdmin to create the database (remember should be UTF-8)with a name something like moodle30. perhaps "mdl_30_".exe program main screen for that information. If you want the MySQL user admin to log into the moodle MySQL database. Click the “Next” button to continue. Refer to the XAMPP-Control. change the "mdl_" prefix to something else. the database settings fields are the same in 3. If you created a password for root place it here. Then on this screen put the new database name. In this example the database created is “moodle153”. TIP: DO NOT USE THE “ROOT” USER WITHOUT A PASSWORD FOR PRODUCTION INSTALLATIONS AS THIS CREATES A SECURITY VULNERABILITY. The fields are populated with some suggested values. TIP: It is possible to open Windows Explorer and edit the php/php.g. However. Confirmed Click the “ Continue” button to proceed. Server check Server check with minor issues This screen will report any issues with your webserver settings. . When you have added or edited information on the page. Typically the CURL settings and OpenSLL settings in a new XAMPP install will receive a mild or critical warning. click the “Next” button to continue. exiting the Moodle install at this point is not the end of the world.ini file using a plain text editor e. Localhost\moodle will start the install again. all your settings up to this point have been saved. TIP: This information is creating and can later be edited in the htdocs/moodle/config. notepad at this point and then use the refresh button at the bottom of the server check page once you have saved your changes.php file. Moodle install confirmed Moodle will tell you it has install the basics. Good job ! Troubleshooting Bitnami If you have previously created a Moodle install with the Bitnami installer you may find that Apache will not start. Now you can Moodle You will be asked to create the admin user for your Moodle site. Then as the admin Moodle user. To disable these go to Control Panel > Administrative tools > Service to locate and disable these services. Copyright & license Click the “Yes” button to continue. This is because Bitnami installs a service for Apache and MySQL. you will be taken to the Front Page settings to start to build your new site. .Moodle copyright & license The Moodle copyright / license notices are displayed. Click the "Save" button. using Windows 10? Check for another program which may be using port 80. You may also have issues with other programs and it might be easier to change the port settings in XAMPP and Moodle.1:181 . You can change the port for you XAMPP webserver.0. Here is how to change them in Skype.Skype If XAMPP does not work when you launch your browser and you have Skype enabled it may be necessary to change the port settings." in Skype.0. This will open up the httpd. If you use MS's Shared space. Remove the tick / check from the Checkbox. For example you might type Listen 127. The easiest way is to use XAMPP-Control. IIS is commonly found to be the culprit.. You can put the service called World Wide Web Publishing Service on manual. leave it running. then do not fight city hall. Or you can quit your Skype session while you are working on Moodle. Still having problems but do not have Skype installed.exe. Locate "Options. You may need to re-start your computer for this to take effect. Look for the Listen lines.. Locate the "Connection" options. then click on the config button for Apache. A best practice is to comment out (with a #) the current active line and type in a new line.conf file. 1:181/moodle'. At that point. Have had to do this once on a stubborn server . Don't forget to save the file and restart Apache.php script was to do.Next you will need to go to the Moodle config.ini file to change.php file and change the wwwroot location by adding the port to the address.0. . clear the browser cookies and cache (or open another browser) and try it again. [Ken White gave excellent instructions here] in 2013 which also worked with on 3.run this from your browser http://server/admin/purgecaches.0. Moodle Networking does not work You may need to enable curl. Or find more instructions at this link Enable curl in XAMPP on XP Installs but will not load after creating admin You install Moodle.. If not continued to physically removed the contents of: /moodledata/cache/cachestore_file/default_application which is what the purgecaches. For example: $CFG->wwwroot = 'http://127..0 install in 2015. your browser takes forever and then it tells you it can not find the page. Curl help which will tell you the line of code in the php/php.php and it that might work.