How do I install Joomla on my computer?

Why install locally

A local copy lets you build or test a site, try updates and extensions, and learn Joomla without touching your live site and without paying for hosting.

Steps (XAMPP, MAMP, WampServer or Laragon)

1. Install a local server package: WampServer or Laragon on Windows, MAMP on macOS, XAMPP on any system. Start Apache and MySQL.
2. Download the Joomla full package from downloads.joomla.org and unzip it into a new folder in the web folder (htdocs for XAMPP and MAMP, www for WampServer and Laragon).
3. Open phpMyAdmin (usually localhost/phpmyadmin) and create an empty database.
4. In your browser, open localhost/your-folder and follow the installer. Database host: localhost; user: root; the password depends on the package (empty for XAMPP, root for MAMP).

Good to know

• Make sure the local package uses a PHP version Joomla supports (8.3+ for Joomla 6).
• Email usually doesn't work on a local install unless you set up SMTP.