WAMP Server — Windows Localhost Development

WAMP (Windows, Apache, MySQL, PHP) is a popular local development environment for Windows. Like XAMPP, WAMP lets you run PHP websites and applications on your computer without an internet server. Access your local sites at localhost and manage databases through phpMyAdmin.

WAMP Localhost: http://localhost
Document Root: C:\wamp64\www\ | phpMyAdmin: localhost/phpmyadmin
WAMP Server stack showing Windows, Apache, MySQL, PHP

What is WAMP?

ComponentDescription
W - WindowsOperating system
A - ApacheWeb server (serves pages)
M - MySQL/MariaDBDatabase server
P - PHPServer-side scripting language

How to Install WAMP

  1. Download WampServer — From wampserver.com
  2. Choose version — 64-bit for modern Windows
  3. Run installer — Accept defaults or customize
  4. Install Visual C++ — Installer prompts if needed
  5. Launch WampServer — Icon appears in system tray
  6. Wait for green icon — Services are running
  7. Visit localhost — See WAMP homepage

WAMP Tray Icon Colors

ColorStatus
🟢 GreenAll services running (ready to use)
🟠 OrangeSome services running (partial)
🔴 RedServices stopped (not working)

WAMP Directory Structure

PathPurpose
C:\wamp64\www\Document root (put your sites here)
C:\wamp64\bin\apache\Apache installation
C:\wamp64\bin\mysql\MySQL installation
C:\wamp64\bin\php\PHP installation
C:\wamp64\logs\Error and access logs

Create Your First Site

  1. Navigate to C:\wamp64\www\
  2. Create new folder: mysite
  3. Create file: index.php
  4. Add code: <?php echo "Hello World!"; ?>
  5. Visit: http://localhost/mysite

Access phpMyAdmin

Manage MySQL databases at:

  • URL: http://localhost/phpmyadmin
  • Username: root
  • Password: (blank by default)

WAMP vs XAMPP

FeatureWAMPXAMPP
PlatformWindows onlyWindows, Mac, Linux
InterfaceSystem tray menuControl panel app
PHP VersionsEasy switchingOne at a time
PopularityPopular on WindowsMore widely used

Common Issues

ProblemSolution
Orange iconPort 80 conflict — check Skype, IIS
MSVCR missingInstall Visual C++ Redistributable
localhost not workingCheck Windows Firewall, hosts file
MySQL won't startPort 3306 conflict or service issue