Installing Laravel on Windows 10 might sound complicated, but it’s actually pretty straightforward. You’ll need to make sure you have a few things set up, like PHP and Composer. Then, you’ll just download Laravel and set it up! Follow this guide, and you’ll have Laravel running on your Windows 10 machine in no time.
How to Install Laravel on Windows 10
We’ll walk you through each step needed to install Laravel on your Windows 10 computer. By the end, you’ll be ready to start building amazing web applications with Laravel.
Step 1: Install XAMPP
First, you need to install XAMPP, which provides PHP and MySQL.
Download XAMPP from the Apache Friends website and follow the installation instructions. Once installed, open XAMPP and start the Apache and MySQL modules.
Step 2: Install Composer
Next, you need to install Composer, which is a dependency manager for PHP.
Download and install Composer from the Composer website. During installation, ensure it can run PHP commands globally. This will allow Laravel to be installed later.
Step 3: Install Laravel
Now, you can install Laravel using Composer.
Open Command Prompt and run the command composer global require laravel/installer. This command will download and install Laravel globally on your system.
Step 4: Set Environment Variables
To make Laravel commands accessible, you need to set environment variables.
Find the ‘Path’ variable in your system’s environment variables, and add C:Users[YourUsername]AppDataRoamingComposervendorbin to it. This allows you to run Laravel commands from any Command Prompt window.
Step 5: Create a New Laravel Project
With Laravel installed, you can now create a new project.
In Command Prompt, navigate to your desired directory and run laravel new myproject. This command will create a new Laravel project in a folder named ‘myproject’.
Step 6: Launch Your Laravel Project
Finally, you can launch your Laravel project to see it in action.
Navigate to your project directory and run php artisan serve in Command Prompt. This command will start a local server. Open a web browser and go to http://localhost:8000 to see your Laravel project.
Once you’ve completed these steps, Laravel will be installed on your Windows 10 machine, and you’ll be ready to start developing web applications.
Tips for Installing Laravel on Windows 10
- Make sure to always start the Apache and MySQL modules in XAMPP before running Laravel projects.
- Use Composer to manage dependencies for your Laravel projects. It simplifies the process of updating packages.
- Regularly backup your projects to avoid losing any important data.
- Familiarize yourself with Laravel’s Artisan commands, as they can greatly speed up your development process.
- Check the Laravel documentation if you encounter any errors. It’s an excellent resource for troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Laravel?
Laravel is a PHP framework that helps developers build web applications more efficiently. It provides tools and features that simplify common web development tasks.
Why do I need XAMPP?
XAMPP provides a development environment for running PHP and MySQL on your local machine. Laravel requires PHP and a database, like MySQL, to function.
Can I install Laravel without Composer?
No, Composer is required to install Laravel. Composer manages the dependencies Laravel needs to run.
What if my Laravel commands aren’t recognized?
Make sure you’ve correctly set the environment variables. Double-check the paths and restart your Command Prompt.
How do I update Laravel?
Run composer update in your project directory to update Laravel and its dependencies.
Summary
- Install XAMPP.
- Install Composer.
- Install Laravel via Composer.
- Set environment variables.
- Create a new Laravel project.
- Launch your Laravel project.
Conclusion
And there you have it! Installing Laravel on Windows 10 isn’t as daunting as it seems. With XAMPP, Composer, and a few commands, you’re all set up to start developing robust web applications with Laravel.
If you’re new to Laravel, spend some time exploring its features. The documentation is a treasure trove of information that’ll help you get the most out of this powerful framework.
Happy coding! And if you encounter any hiccups, remember that the Laravel community is vast and eager to help. Dive in, start building, and watch your web development skills grow by leaps and bounds.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.