How to Install Apache on Windows 10

In this tutorial, we will discuss the steps required to install Apache from the official website http://httpd.apache.org/ on Windows 10 using the standalone distribution package.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, let’s ensure that we have the following prerequisites in place:

• A Windows 10 machine with a stable internet connection.
• Admin access to the system to install and configure software.

Step 1: Download Apache Standalone Package

Firstly, download the Apache distribution package from the official website http://httpd.apache.org/download.cgi. Choose the relevant package that is compatible with your Windows version and processor architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).

Step 2: Extract the Downloaded Package

Extract the contents of the downloaded package to a folder of your choice, for example, C:\Apache.

Step 3: Start Apache Service

1. Open the extracted folder and navigate to the bin directory.
2. Right-click on the file httpd.exe and choose "Run as Administrator".
3. If prompted by the Windows Firewall, choose "Allow Access" to allow Apache to communicate on the network.

Step 4: Verify Apache Installation

1. Open your preferred web browser and enter the URL http://localhost or http://127.0.0.1 in the address bar.
2. If the installation has been successful, you should see the Apache "It works!" page.

Step 5: Configure Apache

By default, Apache listens on port 80, the default HTTP port. To change the Apache configuration, navigate to the conf directory in the Apache installation folder and open the httpd.conf file using a text editor.

Make changes to the configuration file as required. However, make sure to restart the Apache service for the changes to take effect.

Conclusion

We have successfully installed and configured Apache on Windows 10. We can now use it to serve web pages on the local network or on the Internet.

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