How to Install Nginx Proxy Manager on Windows 11

Nginx Proxy Manager is a comprehensive web-based tool that enables users to manage and create Nginx proxy servers. It is an ideal solution for deploying web applications and managing reverse proxies. This tutorial will guide you on how to install Nginx Proxy Manager on Windows 11.

Step 1: Download and Install WSL2

Before you proceed with the installation process, you need to install Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2). This is because Nginx Proxy Manager requires a Linux environment to operate.

1. Open the Start Menu and type "Windows features" in the search box.
2. Select "Windows Features on or off" from the results.
3. Scroll down to find the "Virtual Machine Platform" feature and tick the checkbox next to it.
4. Click the "OK" button to confirm and let the feature be installed.
5. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Once you have installed WSL2, you need to choose a Linux distribution to use. You can choose from a variety of options, such as Ubuntu, Debian, or Fedora. For this tutorial, we will be using Ubuntu.

Step 2: Download and Install Ubuntu

1. Open the Microsoft Store app on your Windows 11 device.
2. Search for "Ubuntu" in the search bar.
3. Select "Ubuntu" from the results and click the "Get" button to initiate the download process.
4. Wait for the download and installation process to complete.

After the installation is complete, you need to launch Ubuntu from the Start Menu, and it will open a terminal window.

Step 3: Install Nginx Proxy Manager

You can now proceed to install Nginx Proxy Manager on your system.

1. Open the Ubuntu terminal window and run the following command to update the system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

2. Next, install Node.js, which is a dependency required to run Nginx Proxy Manager:

sudo apt install nodejs

3. Install npm, a package manager for Node.js:

sudo apt install npm

4. Download Nginx Proxy Manager from the official website:

wget https://github.com/jc21/nginx-proxy-manager/releases/download/<release tag>/nginx-proxy-manager_<release tag>_amd64.deb

Note: Replace <release tag> with the latest release version or the version of your choosing.

5. Install the downloaded package with the following command:

sudo dpkg -i nginx-proxy-manager_<release tag>_amd64.deb

6. After the installation finishes, start the Nginx Proxy Manager service:

sudo systemctl start nginx-proxy-manager

7. Finally, enable the service to start automatically on system boot:

sudo systemctl enable nginx-proxy-manager

Step 4: Access Nginx Proxy Manager

Now that you have installed and configured Nginx Proxy Manager, you can access it through the web interface.

1. Open your favorite web browser and navigate to http://localhost:81.
2. Log in with the default credentials:
   • Username: admin@example.com
   • Password: changeme

You can now begin managing your Nginx proxy servers with Nginx Proxy Manager.

Conclusion

In summary, Nginx Proxy Manager is an ideal solution for managing and creating Nginx proxy servers. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can easily install and run Nginx Proxy Manager on Windows 11.

If you want to self-host in an easy, hands free way, need an external IP address, or simply want your data in your own hands, give IPv6.rs a try!

Alternatively, for the best virtual desktop, try Shells!