How to Install and Configure Apache Webserver to Host a Website from Your Computer

An in-depth guide to hosting a website using Apache Webserver

Last Updated: August 23, 2022

This article tells you how to download, install and configure Apache webserver on your Windows based computer to host a webpage.

Steps

1
Go to www.apache.org and download the latest version of Apache's webserver.
2
Install Apache.

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3
In the installation process you will get a screen asking you for your domain name, network name, and e-mail address. You can add anything in these fields. Add them in this format:
- Domain name: example.com
- Network name: www.example.com
- E-mail address: user@example.com
4
Once you click Next, you will see a screen asking you what webserver this is. You can choose Apache from the radio button list.
5
You will get an error message after telling you "Apache could not be configured." "Edit you Apache.conf file"
6
Next go to Start-Programs-Apache HTTP server <version number>
7
Choose "Configure Apache Server".
8
Choose "Edit the apache.conf configuration file".
9
Go to Document Root "drive:/location"
10
Change the document root to point to the location of your website folder in the notion noted above using / instead of \.
11
Do the same for <Directory "drive:/location">
12
To test your configuration
- Go to Apache in your taskbar and stop the service.
- Restart the service.
- If it won't start, you need to modify your conf file properly.
- Once it successfully starts, go to your browser and type localhost or 127.0.0.1 in your address bar.

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Method 1

Method 1 of 1:

To Restore httpd.conf

1
If you mess up the httpd.conf file don't worry, go to your main Apache folder. Go to the conf subfolder.
2
There you will find folder named "Original". All original files backup is present in this folder. Open original folder.
3
Choose httpd.conf from original folder.
4
Go to Edit-Select All
5
Choose Copy
6
Then go back to your current httpd.conf i.e. out of original folder. and open httpd.conf.
7
Choose Edit-Select All
8
Press Delete
9
Click and paste the original text
10
Press CTRL + S or press SAVE.

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Community Q&A

Question

How do I add it on the internet?

Community Answer

Port-forward port 80 on your router to your PC, get a free domain at no-ip.com, and link the domain to your IP.

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About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 26 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 327,724 times.

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Co-authors: 26

Updated: August 23, 2022

Views: 327,724

Categories: Website and Blog Creation

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