Download
Download an installer (.exe or .msi) for Apache 2.0.xx from Apache.org and unpack it, if necessary, into your download directory.
- Apache/1 is battle-proven and easy to use. It is configured the same way as Apache2, only simpler.
- Apache 2.2.x is available at the time of writing (rather revising this guide). Do not be adventurous. There is nothing to prove here.
Installation
Note that Apache/1 screen shots are used here. This should not be a concern as Apache2 is installed in similar way too.
Double click the installer to start the process and use the following data where appropriate.
Accept Apache license
Read the Apache license (You might just sign your life away)
domain = localhost (or 127.0.0.1) or your domain
server = localhost or your FQQN (or 127.0.0.1)
email = your valid email address
port = 80 (IANA-assigned)
Select Run as a service for all users
Select Complete
Select Custom only when you know what you are doing
The default directory.
Change it to C:\Apache2 (If you are not sure, accept the default)
If you have Linux or BSD machines in your network and use those for file transfer, do not use the Program Files folder; Linux and BSD do not like that space key.
Changing installation directory
Delete the default installation directory and key in your preferred directory. C:\Apache2 is recommended.
Click Install to begin
Files and folders
The all-important configuration file, httpd.conf, is in C:\Apache2\conf
Apache configuration file
All settings made during installation are found in httpf.conf.
We will take another look at httpd.conf when we install PHP.
The web root directory is C:\Apache2\htdocs. This is where web pages are kept.
Is Apache running?
You may also have Apache Monitor installed and running in System Tray (Systray). That is a handy tool to start and stop Apache server. (This tool usually comes with Apache/1.)
When Apache server is running,
go to Windows Services and check whether Apache is running as a service (usually after a reboot).
If not, go to DOS and issue the following commands:
C:\> cd \
C:\> cd apache2\bin
C:\> apache -k stop
C:\> apache -k install
C:\> apache -k start
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The stop command is usually not needed.
Testing:
Point your browser to http://localhost or http://127.0..0.1, you should see the Apache test page. If DNS has been configured and port 80 forwarded, you can see the test page at http://myhost.mydomain.tld.
Change your mind?
Uninstalling Apache service from DOS (really, there is no easier way):
C:\> cd \
C:\> cd apache2\bin
C:\> apache -k stop
C:\> apache -k uninstall
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You can also stop Apache service from Windows Services.
Note: If you do not stop and uninstall Apache service before the actual uninstallation, that service will remain in Windows Services. It will not be an easy task to remove that.
Q&A
What is https?
That is http connection through Secure Socket Layer (SSL). Data transmitted in such connections are encrypted. When connected to one of those sites, you will be presented with an option to accept or reject its certificate. When secure connection is made, you will see lock-liked icon in Systray.
How do I get SSL support for Apache?
There is no easy way on Windows. You have to compile the Apache source codes with SSL support. You will also need OpenSSL to create a server certificate and get it signed by a Certificate Authority.
Do I need SSL?
No, you don't need it for hosting your own sites if you are not handling very sensitive data, such as credit card details. Security should be good enough if you were to enable MD5 password option in Athena and ROCP.
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