I’ve covered the setting up of local web server for the development of websites on https://willtan.com/setting-up-local-web-server-aka-localhost-to-develop-websites using XAMPP. I like XAMPP. But it (XAMPP) was unable to run in one of my labs with older PCs installed with Win XP. Plus, those PCs are installed with DeepFreeze (an application to remove all non-admin installed software upon reboot). After a couple of troubleshooting and configurations, I was still unable to get XAMPP to work with Win XP. That led me to conduct another round of online research for alternative ways to set up local web server.

After some thorough tries, one local web server software stands out (funny why I’d let this one skip through my “fingers” on the first round). This one I’m referring to is – USBWebserver from https://www.usbwebserver.net.

USBWebserver is an ultra lightweight local web server software that is even able to be installed and run from an USB stick or flashdrive. That solved the above 2 issues – (i) I can now set up local web server on PCs running Win XP and (ii) the websites/WordPress created will be on the flashdrive.

Below are the step-by-step instructions on how to create/install WordPress on an USB flashdrive running USBWebserver :

WordPress Web Development (USBWebServer)

1. Start USBWebServer

– Go to https://www.usbwebserver.net/en/download.php and download USBWebserver.

– Unzip USBWebserver and copy the entire folder to the USB flashdrive.

– USB flashdrive > USBWebserver folder and start usbwebserver (.exe application).

– Ensure that both Apache and Mysql modules are running (green ticks).

– Start your browser ie. Google Chrome or Firefox > https://localhost:8080 – you should see the USBWebserver page.

(Remarks : Your PC is now running as a web server!)

2. Prepare your WordPress folder

– Go to https://wordpress.org and download the latest WordPress (.zip).

– Unzip the wordpress-x.x.x.zip to your Desktop.

– COPY the “wordpress” folder and PASTE it at the USBWebserver folder > root folder (Important; do this step correctly!)

– Rename the “wordpress” folder to your name ie. “will” (use lower case; no spacing)

– Double-click on the renamed folder and you should see these WordPress directories and files :

3. Setup Database for WordPress

Before continuing further, you will need to first prepare a database for your new WordPress installation.

– Browser > https://localhost:8080/phpmyadmin/ > Username : root and Password : usbw

– Click “User” tab > Add user > use the following settings :

User name : myname <– (this will be the username for the database)

Host : localhost

Password : password (Hint: For practice purpose, just use “password” as the password)

Check/tick “Create database with same name and grant all privileges”

Check/tick “Grant all privileges on wildcard name (username\_%)”

Check/tick “Check All” for Global privileges

Click the “Go” button at bottom-right

Now, the database for your WordPress installation is ready.

4. Installing WordPress

– Go to  https://localhost:8080/myname

– Select “English (United States)” > Continue

– Fill in the database details which you have just created earlier then click “Submit”.

Fill in the following database details required :

Database Name : myname

User Name : myname

Password : password

Database Host : localhost

Table Prefix : wp_

– Next, click “Run the install”.

– Enter the WordPress installation details as below :

Site Title : My First WordPress

Username : user <– (use this common username so that you will not forget it)

Password : password <– (use this common password so that you will not forget it) (Check/tick to confirm the use of “weak” password.)

Your E-mail : user@example.com

Privacy : (Let the search engine know your site of course)

Click “Install WordPress”

That’s it. Congratulation! Your WordPress should have installed successfully.

See your WordPress (User view) : https://localhost:8080/myname

Administrator Dashboard : https://localhost:8080/myname/wp-admin