How to Download Install and Configure XAMPP for PHP or Laravel with Video Demo in Khmer

Hello my friends! Today let me show you step by step how to download, install and configure XAMPP for PHP or Laravel web development — with video demo in Khmer!

If Apache service or MySQL database error and cannot start, don't worry my friend! I also show you how to fix port error very easy.

1. What is XAMPP?

XAMPP is a free and open-source local web server package. It is super easy to install on Windows, Mac, or Linux!

It includes all tools you need for PHP and Laravel:

• Apache (Web Server)
• MySQL / MariaDB (Database)
• PHP (Programming Language)
• Perl

💡 Pro Tip for Beginners: You need XAMPP so your computer can run PHP scripts and MySQL database locally on your PC (localhost) before uploading to real hosting. Check out our Essential VS Code Extensions for PHP to set up your code editor!

2. Step 1: Download XAMPP

1. Open your web browser and go to Apache Friends website.
2. Select XAMPP version matching your PC OS (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
3. Recommended: Download XAMPP with PHP version 8.1 or 8.2+ if you want to build Laravel projects!
4. Click Download button and wait download finish.

3. Step 2: Install XAMPP on Windows

Installing XAMPP is very simple and fast! Follow steps below:

1. Double-click the downloaded .exe installer file.
2. If Windows show UAC warning, just click OK.
3. Click Next on setup wizard.
4. Keep all default components checked (Apache, MySQL, phpMyAdmin, PHP).
5. Choose Installation Folder (Default destination is C:\xampp).
6. Click Next and wait for installation progress complete.
7. Click Finish and open XAMPP Control Panel!

Watch Installation Video Demo (Khmer)

4. How to Test & Verify XAMPP Working?

1. Open XAMPP Control Panel.
2. Click Start button next to Apache and MySQL.
3. Open your browser and type: http://localhost/ or http://127.0.0.1/
4. If you see Welcome to XAMPP dashboard screen, congratulation! Your installation is 100% successful!
5. To test database, go to: http://localhost/phpmyadmin/

5. How to Fix Apache & MySQL Port Error (Important Tips!)

Sometimes after install XAMPP, Apache or MySQL button click Start but turn red or stop immediately even after restart computer. Don't worry! This happen because port 80 (Apache) or 3306 (MySQL) is used by another software (like Skype, World Wide Web Publishing Service, or MySQL Workbench).

🛠️ Tip 1: Change Apache Port (Port 80 conflict)

1. Open XAMPP Control Panel.
2. Click Config button next to Apache -> select httpd.conf.
3. Press Ctrl + F search for line Listen 80 -> change to Listen 8080.
4. Search for ServerName localhost:80 -> change to ServerName localhost:8080.
5. Save file and restart Apache. Now open browser at: http://localhost:8080/

🛠️ Tip 2: Stop Conflicting Windows Services

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc and press Enter.
2. Find service World Wide Web Publishing Service.
3. Right click -> click Stop (and set Startup type to Manual).
4. Now back to XAMPP Control Panel and click Start Apache again!

Watch Fix Apache & MySQL Error Video Demo (Khmer)

6. Helpful Tips for PHP & Laravel Developers

• 📁 Where to place your PHP code? Put your project files inside folder C:\xampp\htdocs\my-project. Then open browser at http://localhost/my-project/.
• ⚙️ Enable PHP Extensions for Laravel: Open XAMPP -> Apache -> Config -> php.ini. Search and remove semicolon ; from lines like ;extension=pdo_mysql, ;extension=fileinfo, ;extension=mbstring, ;extension=openssl.
• 🚀 Add PHP to Windows PATH: Add C:\xampp\php to your System Environment Variables so you can run php -v and composer command directly in VS Code terminal or Command Prompt!

💡 Next Lesson: Once your server is set up, start writing PHP code with Basic PHP Variables and Data Types Explained!

Happy coding my friends! If you have any question or error, please comment below or watch video tutorial.