How to Install Laravel on Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

How to Install Laravel on Windows 10

Installing Laravel on Windows 10 may seem tricky, but it’s more straightforward than you might think. You’ll need to install Composer first, then download Laravel using Composer, and finally set up your project. This guide will walk you through each step to get Laravel up and running on your Windows 10 machine.

How to Install Laravel on Windows 10

Before we dive in, let’s quickly summarize what you’ll accomplish: You’ll install Composer, download Laravel using Composer, and set up a Laravel project. These steps ensure your Laravel environment is ready for development.

Step 1: Install Composer

Head to the Composer website and download the installer.

Composer is a dependency manager for PHP. By using it, you can easily install Laravel and other PHP packages. Go to getcomposer.org and download the Composer-Setup.exe file. Run the installer, and follow the prompts. Make sure to allow the installer to add Composer to your PATH.

Step 2: Open Command Prompt

Press the Windows key, type in "cmd," and hit Enter.

Your command prompt is where all the magic happens. You’ll use it to run commands that set up Laravel. Once open, navigate to the directory where you want your Laravel project by using the cd command.

Step 3: Install Laravel via Composer

Type the command composer global require laravel/installer and press Enter.

This command tells Composer to download the Laravel installer globally, which means you can create Laravel projects from any directory on your system. This may take a few minutes, so be patient.

Step 4: Create a New Laravel Project

Type the command laravel new your-project-name and press Enter.

Replace "your-project-name" with whatever you want to name your project. This command will download and set up a new Laravel project in a directory named after your project.

Step 5: Run Your Laravel Project

Navigate into your project directory with cd your-project-name and then type php artisan serve.

This command starts a local development server. Open a web browser and navigate to http://localhost:8000. You should see the Laravel welcome page, indicating that everything is set up correctly.

Once you complete these steps, you’ll have a fully functional Laravel environment on Windows 10. You can now start developing your Laravel application, building out features, and customizing it to your needs.

Tips for Installing Laravel on Windows 10

• Ensure you have PHP installed on your system before installing Composer.
• Restart your computer after installing Composer to update your PATH.
• Use a text editor like VSCode for coding your Laravel projects.
• Regularly update Composer and Laravel to the latest versions.
• Store your projects in a directory that has write permissions to avoid permission issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Composer?

Composer is a dependency manager for PHP that allows you to install and manage libraries and packages for your PHP projects.

Do I need XAMPP or WAMP to run Laravel?

No. Laravel comes with its own built-in development server, so you don’t need to install XAMPP or WAMP.

How do I update Laravel?

You can update Laravel by running the command composer update in your project directory.

Can I install Laravel without Composer?

No. Composer is required to install Laravel and manage its dependencies.

What if I encounter a "Permission Denied" error?

Make sure you have the necessary write permissions for the directory where you are setting up your Laravel project.

Summary

1. Install Composer.
2. Open Command Prompt.
3. Install Laravel via Composer.
4. Create a New Laravel Project.
5. Run Your Laravel Project.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve just set up Laravel on your Windows 10 machine. With Laravel installed, you can start building dynamic, robust web applications. Whether you’re aiming to create a simple blog or a complex e-commerce site, Laravel’s got you covered.

The beauty of Laravel lies in its simplicity and elegance. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that development becomes a lot smoother and more enjoyable. So, what’s next? Dive into Laravel’s official documentation, explore tutorials, and start creating.

If you hit any roadblocks, don’t hesitate to search for solutions or ask questions in Laravel forums. Happy coding!