How to Install Concrete on Windows

Concrete CMS, formerly known as concrete5, is a powerful and user-friendly content management system designed to simplify website creation and management. This open-source platform offers a robust set of features, including in-context editing, customizable themes, and a flexible permissions system, making it an ideal choice for businesses, organizations, and individuals seeking to build and maintain dynamic websites. For Windows users, Concrete CMS presents an exciting opportunity to harness its capabilities and create stunning, functional websites without the need for extensive technical knowledge.

In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to install Concrete CMS on Windows. We’ll walk you through the entire process, from setting up the necessary prerequisites to configuring your new Concrete CMS installation. By following this guide, you’ll be able to leverage the power of Concrete CMS on your Windows machine and start building impressive websites in no time.

Prerequisites for Installing Concrete CMS on Windows

Before diving into the installation process, it’s essential to ensure that your Windows system meets the necessary requirements and has the required software installed. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Windows Operating System: Concrete CMS can be installed on Windows 7, 8, 10, or Windows Server 2012 R2 and later versions.
• Web Server: You’ll need a web server like Apache or IIS (Internet Information Services) installed on your Windows machine.
• PHP: Concrete CMS requires PHP 7.3 or higher. Make sure to install the appropriate version for your system.
• Database: MySQL 5.7+ or MariaDB 10.2+ is required for storing Concrete CMS data.
• Web Browser: Use a modern web browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for the installation process and site management.

For the sake of this article, we’ll be installing xampp which is already equipped with PHP, MySQL and other necessary features required.

Installing Concrete on Windows

Step 1: Download and Install XAMPP

To install Concrete CMS, we will use XAMPP, a free and open-source software package that includes Apache, MySQL, PHP, and Perl. Here’s how to download and install XAMPP:

• Go to the XAMPP website and download the latest version of XAMPP for Windows.
• Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the prompts to install XAMPP.
• Choose the default installation location (C:\xampp) and select the components you want to install (Apache, MySQL, PHP, and Perl).
• Wait for the installation to complete, and then launch XAMPP.

You can take detailed instructions on install Xampp on Windows from our guide.

Step 2: Configure Apache and MySQL

After installing XAMPP, we need to configure Apache and MySQL to work with Concrete CMS:

Open the XAMPP Control Panel (usually found in the Start menu or C:\xampp\control.exe):

Start the Apache and MySQL server by clicking their corresponding “Start” button:

Open a web browser and navigate to http://localhost/phpmyadmin to access the MySQL database management interface. Create a new database for Concrete CMS by clicking the “Databases” tab and entering a database name (e.g., “concrete”):

You also need to make sure to extract the download concrete cms Windows file inside the htdocs directory:

Step 3: Install Concrete on Window

With your database set up and ready to go, you’re now ready to proceed with the Concrete CMS installation. To initiate the process, open your preferred web browser and navigate to the following URL: http://localhost/concrete (this assumes that you earlier extracted the Concrete CMS files to the htdocs folder).

Upon accessing this URL, you will be presented with the Concrete CMS Setup Wizard, a user-friendly and intuitive interface designed to walk you through the installation process, step by step:

On the initial setup page, you will encounter a language selection interface, which presents you with a list of available languages to choose from. Select the language that you wish to use as the default for your website’s interface, including the dashboard, menus, and system notifications.

Once you’ve made your selection, you will be directed to the Concrete CMS configuration page, where you will finalize the setup process. This page will display a series of checks to confirm that your server environment meets the necessary requirements to run Concrete CMS smoothly. These checks verify that your environment has the following essential components installed and configured correctly:

On this page, you will need to establish the administrator credentials for your Concrete CMS installation. To do this, you will be prompted to enter a password and confirm it to ensure its accuracy.

Next, you will have the opportunity to select a starting template for your website from a range of available options. This will serve as the foundation for your site’s design and layout.

Additionally, you will need to provide the necessary database connection details, including:

• The server hostname or IP address where your database is hosted
• The username associated with your database account
• The password for your database account
• The name of the database you created earlier for Concrete CMS

Enter these details accurately to ensure a successful connection to your database:

Once the installation process is complete, you will see a confirmation message indicating that Concrete CMS has been successfully installed on your system. This message will be displayed on your screen, confirming that the installation has finished and that your Concrete CMS instance is now ready for use:

Conclusion

You’ve now completed the installation of Concrete CMS on your Windows machine. This process has set you up with a powerful tool for creating and managing your website. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ve successfully installed XAMPP, configured Apache and MySQL, and set up Concrete CMS. You’ve also created a database for your website and established the administrator credentials.

With Concrete CMS now up and running, you can start building your website. You can choose from a range of templates to get started, and then customize your site to suit your needs. You can add content, images, and other features to create a dynamic and engaging online presence. Remember to explore the features and capabilities of Concrete CMS to get the most out of your website. With its user-friendly interface and flexible design, you’ll be able to create a website that meets your needs and helps you achieve your goals.

FAQ