A Guide to Setting Up A PHP/MySQL/Apache Web Server in Windows without IIS

PHPDev5 was a tool from 2002 that automated the install of Apache, MySQL, and PHP in any windows environment. This tool is now out of date, and you are much better off switching to a Linux of FreeBSD environment. If you want to use the old tool, skip to the old section.

The Latest (2010) Way

Keep in mind that the moment this article was written, it became out of date. Apache, MySQL, and PHP are constant evolving, improving. They are releasing new versions, adding new features, retiring old features, and fixing bugs and security holes. The best way to stay up to date is to use a system such as Linux with a centralized repository where people will manage your software integration and version for you. If you are stuck in a windows environment, and you don't want to use IIS, it is possible to install Apache, MySQL, and PHP in a pinch still.

Install Apache

Download the Apache install executable here and run it. Follow the onscreen instructions.

Install MySQL

Download the MySQL install executable here and run it. Follow the onscreen instructions.

Install PHP

Download the php executable here and run it. Simply follow the onscreen instructions.

The Old (2002) Way

The easiest way to begin running a web server on a windows machine is to download something called phpdev5. This software contains precompiled versions of apache, mysql, php, and phpmyadmin. The only problem with this package is that over time as each of the components are updated by their communal owners, phpdev has stopped being updated. In other words, this resource is not going to provide state of the art server technologies, but it should provide you with everything you need to get started.

Download dev5beta3.exe.
Run dev5beta3.exe.
Select your installation directory and hit setup.
Click on "Install phpdev5 now".
The phpdev5 control panel should start up.
Click on "Apache" (make sure not to click on Apache2, as Apache 2 is very buggy).
Click on "Install Service".
Click on Start Apache.
Back on the main bar, click on "mysql".
Click on "Install as Service".
Click on "Start".

At this point, an Apache/php/mysql server should be completely installed and running. THATS IT! Any difficulties in using phpdev will come when you try and customize your server. Also, feel free to exit the phpdev control panel or any command prompts that it opened, because the services should run without them.

To test your webserver go to localhost. Or, to check out a site that has automatically been created by phpdev, go to localhost/site.

WARNING:
phpdev contains the following outdated versions of software:
apache 1.3.26
php4.2.2
MySQL4
phpmyadmin 2.2.3