In this post I’ll explain how to install WAMP server on a computer (with a Windows operating server). As briefly and as simply as possible. Do it as explained here, don’t skip anything! The order is important. My advice is to read this first to the end, then go back to the top and follow the step by step instructions.
If Windows updates, or DOT Net installation is problematic for you, let me know in the comment section below, so I’ll upload a tutorial for that as well – as soon as I can.
The basics of this stack are explained in the post LAMP stack installation on Linux.
Separate post explains how to create a database using PhpMyAdmin and add user privileges.
1. Deinstalling services that cause problems with WAMP
Close Skype – and check if it’s still active by looking in the taskbar. It is down-right, right click on Skype icon (if Skype is still active), then choose Close/Exit Skype. Alternative is to prevent Skype from using ports 80 and 443 (I won’t explain how to do this here, now). Third option is to uninstall Skype (and find a better software for that use).
Disable Microsoft IIS (Internet Information Services). This can be done either by uninstalling from Control Panel -> Programs and features (or Add/remove programs in older Windows versions). Or disabling the service(s) from the computer management options (I won’t be explaining this now).
Since you’re reading this, I suppose you’ve had problems with installing WAMP, so the necessary step would also be deinstalling WAMP, before re-installing. Do it, or it won’t work.
Instructions given below will require a few computer restarts. If you haven’t deinstalled the above listed programs, but just disabled them, confirm they are re-disabled before installing WAMP. They will be running again after each computer restart (unless you set differently in computer management options).
2. Download needed software and services
Here I’ll first share some “official” links. Why? So you can go and check official, updated software and installation instructions.
However, since for me they didn’t work, both instructions and especially some download links (even on Microsoft’s website), I packed all the needed files into one zip file, that can be downloaded, unpacked and used for the installation. I have done a virus scan, then used it on two different computers and one laptop, it’s worked for me, but I must put a disclaimer: you can use all the instructions and files given here at your own risk.
Download link that worked for me:
“(more)official” download links (that didn’t all work well for me):
- WAMP Installation instructions and prerequisites – from wamp forum – link to the first page.
- Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable – a link to all the versions (not all the links work).
3. WAMP server installation procedure
If you are using the files from my download link:
- Files I uploaded are for 64-bit Windows systems. If your system is older – do install a newer Windows, not just for WAMP.
- File that you’ll download iz .zip (compressed). Uncompress it to a directory before starting the installation(s). A directory “wamp-install” will be created with all the files inside.
- Files are numerated (“01_microsoft_dot…”, “02_2008-a-vcredist…” and so on). They should be installed in the given order.
- Update Windows, restart the computer, then check if there are any new updates – just in case. This can be problematic and, with your own discretion, you could skip this step. But I’d recommend to go with an updated Windows 10, 64 bit version.
- If you already have the latest Microsoft Dot Net version installed, you’ll be notified of this when trying to install the first file. That’s OK. In that case you don’t need that first file.
- File “14_TROUBLESHOOTING…” is to be used in case WAMP is not working. Otherwise don’t install it.
- Important: restart the computer after installing the files “07_2013vcredist_x64.exe” and “12_2019bVC_redist.x64.exe”.
- Update Windows (again, at your own discretion), using the option of updating all the services.
- When you run “13_wampserver3.1.9_x64.exe”, choose an install path at the root directory of the system partition (C usually). Like: “C:\wamp”, or “C:\wamp64”. Restart the computer before testing if WAMP works.
If you will be using other sources (for files/download links):
- Install the newest Microsoft DOT Net.
- Then install Visual C++ Redistributable versions: 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017 i 2019.
- It is important to install both the 64 and 32 bit versions – along with newest updates/patches.
What’s left now is to create a database in PhpMyAdmin and start making websites.
4. 2025 update
Time flies – it’s been six years since I wrote the first version of this article. Now, I wish to install the latest WAMP version on the latest Windows (11 Pro) version. These are my notes – for my use, and if they help anyone else, awesome.
Link for the project (with a link to the download):
https://www.wampserver.com/en/download-wampserver-64bits/
My files (what worked for me): 64 and 32-bit 2022 VCredist installs, and WAMP server 3.3.7 64 bit install (all in this one zip file):
https://files.bikegremlin.com/downloads/wamp-install-2025-02-20-update.zip
WAMP server 3.3.7 64 bit comes with:
- Apache 2.4.62.1
- PHP 7.4.33/8.0.30/8.1.31/8.2.26/8.3.14/8.4.0
- MySQL 9.1.0
- MariaDB 11.5.2
- PhpMyAdmin 5.2.1
- Adminer 4.8.4
- PhpSysInfo 3.4.4
This is the official brief tutorial that is shown when I ran the WAMP installation .exe file:
— Installation of Wampserver —
BEFORE proceeding with the installation of Wampserver, you must ensure that certain elements are installed on your system, otherwise Wampserver will absolutely not run, and in addition, the installation will be faulty and you need to remove Wampserver BEFORE installing the elements that were missing.
Make sure you are “up to date” in the redistributable packages VC10, VC11, VC13 , VC15 and VS16.
See — Visual C++ Packages below.
— Do not install Wampserver OVER an existing version, follow the advice:
- Install a new version of Wampserver:
http://forum.wampserver.com/read.php?2,123606
If you install Wampserver over an existing version, not only it will not work, but you risk losing your existing databases.- Install Wampserver in a folder at the root of a disk, for example C:\wamp or D:\wamp. Take an installation path that does not include spaces or diacritics; Therefore, no installation in c: \ Program Files\ or C: \ Program Files (x86)
We must BEFORE installing, disable or close some applications:- Close Skype or force not to use port 80
Item No. 04 of the Wampserver TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS:
http://forum.wampserver.com/read.php?2,134915- Disable IIS
Item No. 08 of the Wampserver TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS:
http://forum.wampserver.com/read.php?2,134915
If these prerequisites are not in place, Press the Cancel button to cancel the installation, then apply the prerequisites and restart the installation.
This program requires Administrator privileges to function properly. It will be launched with the “Run as administrator” option. If you do not want a program to have this option, cancel the installation.
— Visual C++ Packages —
To verify that all VC ++ packages are installed and with the latest versions, you can use the tool:
https://wampserver.aviatechno.net/files/tools/check_vcredist.exe
and you will find all the packages on
https://wampserver.aviatechno.net/?lang=en
in section Visual C++ Redistribuable Packages
You must install each package “as an administrator”, so right-click the exe file and then run as Administrator. Do not use a previously loaded tool. Make a new download to make sure you are using the correct version.
If you have a 64-bit Windows, you must install both 32 and 64bit versions of each VisualC++ package.
For ease of use, see : Best way to install Visual C++ Redistributable Packages
at the bottom of
https://wampserver.aviatechno.net/?lang=en
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