If you want a fast, lightweight, and beginner-friendly local development environment for PHP, MySQL, Apache, Node.js, and more, Laragon is one of the best tools you can use on Windows. In this guide, you will learn how to install Laragon on a Windows PC and start building local websites in just a few minutes.
What Is Laragon?
Laragon is a portable and powerful local development environment designed for Windows users. It includes popular development tools such as Apache, MySQL, PHP, Node.js, Python, PostgreSQL, and more, making it easy to run websites and applications locally without complex configuration.
Why Should You Install Laragon?
Before you install Laragon, it is helpful to understand why many developers prefer it over other local server tools. Laragon is lightweight, easy to use, fast to start, and works well for WordPress, Laravel, PHP projects, and modern web development workflows.
- Simple installation process
- Fast and lightweight performance
- Supports PHP, Apache, MySQL, Node.js, and more
- Great for WordPress and Laravel development
- Portable and easy to manage
Step 1: Download Laragon
To install Laragon on your Windows PC, first go to the official Laragon download page and download the latest installer version. The official Laragon website provides the recommended installer for Windows, along with the tools needed for a complete local development setup.
Step 2: Run the Laragon Installer
Once the download is complete, locate the installer file on your computer and double-click it. Windows may ask you to confirm that you want to run the installer. Click Run or Yes to continue.
Step 3: Choose the Installation Location
The setup wizard will ask you to choose where Laragon should be installed. You can keep the default location or choose another folder on your PC. For best results, install Laragon in a simple path such as:
C:\laragonUsing a short installation path helps avoid issues with long folder names or spaces in file paths.
Step 4: Select Installation Options
During setup, Laragon may show several installation options. You can choose whether Laragon should start automatically when Windows starts. If you use Laragon often, enabling this option can save time.
After selecting your preferred options, continue through the setup wizard by clicking Next.
Step 5: Complete the Installation
Click Install and wait for the setup process to finish. Laragon is designed to be quick and simple to install, so the process usually takes only a few minutes.
When the installation is complete, click Finish to launch Laragon.
Step 6: Start Laragon Services
After Laragon opens, click the Start All button. This will start the required services, such as Apache and MySQL. Once the services are running, your Windows PC is ready for local web development.
Step 7: Create Your First Local Website
To create a new local website, open the Laragon menu and use the quick app or project creation feature. For example, you can create a WordPress site, Laravel project, or custom PHP project directly inside Laragon.
Your project files are usually stored inside the Laragon www directory:
C:\laragon\wwwOnce your project is created, you can open it in your browser and start working locally.
Common Problems When Installing Laragon
Laragon Does Not Start
If Laragon does not start, try running it as administrator. You should also check whether another program is already using ports 80 or 443.
Apache or MySQL Fails to Start
If Apache or MySQL does not start, another local server tool such as XAMPP, WAMP, or IIS may already be running. Stop those services and try starting Laragon again.
Project URL Does Not Work
Make sure your project is inside the www folder and that Laragon services are running. You can also restart Laragon and try opening the local URL again.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to install Laragon on Windows is a great first step if you want a simple and reliable local development environment. With Laragon, you can quickly build and test PHP, WordPress, Laravel, and other web projects directly on your PC.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced developer, Laragon makes local development faster, cleaner, and easier to manage.
