If you’ve never installed Wordpress before and you’d like to but maybe you’re a little scared of installing it (ssh! I won’t tell!) I’ve created a visual tutorial in Flash which explains the steps involved. If you find it useful, please let me know here.
To view the tutorial, go here and click on wordpress.swf
If you’re having trouble, you can also view it here.

your thoughts
dreamweaver
I can’t open your tutorial – what software do I need to run it? Thanks.
Stephan L.
you won’t tell!!!!
Basis of the site is done! at Cameron Incoll
[...] cre8d design – Rachel Cunliffe has just published a tutorial on installing WordPress 2.0 – a day too late for me :-/ – and runs a web studio which focuses on Blog Design. Rachel also has a neat toolkit which I’m sure I will find handy too. [...]
dreamweaver
Oh, no its ok – I figured it out… I opened it in Firefox and it seemed to work fine. Thanks.
Pete...
Nice tutorial…
carolyn
Thanks for the tutorial! What software did you use to put it together?
Rachel
You’ll need a Flash player to view it. It’s made using Viewlet builder, but there’s quite a few similar programs out there which do the same.
Jörg
…was up and running in a few minutes…amazing.
Thank you SO much.
Rachel
Yay! Awesome! Glad to help you out
My poisoned mind »
[...] WordPress installation guide [January 19 2006] If you’ve never installed Wordpress before, there’s a tutorial by Rache [...]
NuEvAyOl BlOg » Blog Archive » Un Tutorial De Wordpress 2.0 En Flash.
[...] Y es que si instalar este software es pan comido, para hacerlo si cabe más sencillo, aqui te dejamos el enlace a un tutorial hecho, como deberian de ser todos los tutoriales visual. Mas informacion en cre8d-desing.com [...]
Blog Design Solutions — cre8d design blog
[...] This is all well and good, and I guess they’re be an audience for this. But… blog software is changing rapidly and the instructions could become quickly outdated. Each of these systems have great online installation instructions. There’s a tonne of resources like my video tutorial for installing Wordpress 2.0 too. I don’t really consider this to be a part of blog design – I’d hope that one would start from a basis that assumes your audience already has a blog installed. With your blog set up, they then show you how to build great looking, usable layouts for your blog. [...]
djunaidi
Helo, my name ken,… i’m new one use wordpress, i use window xp,
1. wordpress already extract,
2. mysql already instal ( but i dont how to setting..this
3. i use ISS,
After i browse “localhost” that i get that message :
“Your PHP installation appears to be missing the MySQL which is required for WordPress”
please..help me,
sam
still not running
403 error message
do the files have to stay ion there own folder (in my case forum)
thanks
-sam-
patricia miranda
it was to quick for to understand how it work
Rachel
Ken – you’ll need to also have MySQL running on your server, the tutorial assumes that MySQL has been set up, along with a database and user to access it. Try talking to your host for information on MySQL.
Hi Sam – do you have a URL for me to look at?
Bruno
Great discussion. Kudos to ya.
Lydia
I am glad to find your site – now I know what a good one looks like.
phil
I installed WordPress and it assigned me an admin user name (admin) and password. When I used that password to sign in, it says I don’t have permission to access the folder wp-admin on this site. How stupid is that? I used the user name and password it assigned!
Rachel
Hi Phil,
Sounds like you have a problem with the permissions on your site – it’s not a login problem with wordpress.
Georjina
This was sooo easy to understand, can’t figure out why it seemed so hard! Now I have another issue – I have a WP template I like, just to make my blog look like MY BLOG. Do you have a tutorial on that too? for a beginner, I sure want a lot huh?
I’m getting my hosting tonight because currently my blog is on blogger and that is not going to work.
Thank you for your time.
Idiot’s Guide to Installing Wordpress 2.0 at a boy named goo
[...] If you are new to Wordpress, it can be overwhelming. Installation is the hardest part. Luckily, Rachel Cunliffe of cre8d design has posted a flash video tutorial on installing Wordpress 2.0. I like to call this “The Idiots’s Guide to Installing Wordpress 2.0″ because Rachel makes it so simple. This is a must see for anyone wanting to create a Wordpress blog. [...]
Michael
Thank you Rachel. It’s very kind of you to take the time to explain to us visual biased peeps how to do it in pictures! (I see therefore I know). :¬)
billyk
Thank you Rachel
I’ve set up wordpress before, but with a web host that had fantastico, which made it reall easy.When faced with the prospect of doing it manually I began to blanch and sweat.
While it tokk a bit more than 5 minutes, it was still a godsend.
Thank you again, and I forgive Nzers for everything – well nearly everything.
cheeks.
hi rachel. thanks for the tutorial but i have a problem. what is MySQL? do i have to download that? sorry im also a newbie to wpress. thanks
The Blogateer
Cheeks, MySQL is what you need to create a database, it comes with your hosting account, if it doesnt, im sure you can purchase on for extra cash!
If it’s already with your hosting package, you will find it in your control panel.
billy
Hi, do you have a WordPress install tutorial for Mac users?
I don’t see it here. Also, when I ran this one, it went really fast–I hardly had time to look at the screens. Am I doing something wrong?
Rachel
Hi – the install process for Mac users will be the same. It will just look different on-screen (e.g. you’ll have a different FTP program and browser). I don’t have a Mac so I can’t provide a Mac-looking one sorry.
It shouldn’t run fast at all – that is really strange. I’ve tested the flash file on a few different systems but not on a Mac. I can’t see any reason why it would do that on a Mac though.
Hello
hello, i keep getting the error “Error establishing a database connection” when i try to run the install.php file. Ive already installed mysql 5.0.19-standard and i have PHP Version 4.3.11, i have created a database named wordpress, i have changed this values in the wp-config.php file. What can i be doing wrong, please help!!
Rachel
If you can’t establish a database connection, one or more of the three settings in wp-config.php will be incorrect – either your database isn’t on “localhost” (the default), or login and password.
Jean-Francois Messier
I just followed all you rinstructions, and ftp’d all files on my web hosting service. After editing the files as described, and having little issues with my FTP client under Windows, I checked all fiels were transferred properly, continued with your instructions, et voila !!! I have my very own blog server. I will look at maybe redoing it with other passwods and/or settings, but your visual description was great !!! I like it !!!
Cursed Crestfallen. » Web Surf
[...] WordPress installation guide [January 19 2006] If you’ve never installed Wordpress before, there’s a tutorial by Rachel [...]
Womansmagic
Hi I am from the Netherlands and I understand Englisch not very well and nothing seems te work so I saw your Little SWF movie and then in 5 minutes everything works !!!! I have mij own weblog I am so glad!
Mark
Thanks alot
it works great! i love good tutorials and yours is very userfriendly
my weblog »
[...] Visual tutorial on how to install Wordpress (http://cre8d-design.com/blog/2006/01/19/how-to-install-wordpress-20/) Installing WordPress-An Audio-Visual Presentation (http://www.optiniche.com/blog/26/installing-wordpress-an-audio-visual-presentation/) [edit]Detailed Instructions [edit]Step 1: Download and Extract Download and unzip the WordPress package from http://wordpress.org/download/. [...]
Denyse
Thanks Rachel,
Reading the instructions was very scary, then I watched your Flash and it all made sense. (For those who, like me, read slowly or want to absorb the whole thing before moving on — simply stop and go the animation — it works fine)
Now I have to go do it — btw I agree with the person who requested an animation on skinning — I guess you are now the go-to girl.
Phillip Lerner
My dear Rachel,
Why didn’t you explain what is meant by “database connection?”
Why not give some examples what and exactly where in the wp-config.php file I am supposed to add my info? I don’t know the names of my database or my “MySQL username, and if I did, exactly where where would I type this in?
I already have a blog: http://www.phillmd.wordpress.com, but I would like to construct a website, separate in unrelated to the blog.
Reading the above, I sound like a horrible whiner. I’m sorry. I appreciate your demonstration. I may need a True Idiot’s Guide.
QL
Why don’t you use the automatic Installer at http://www.onestepinstall.com .
It uploads and configure for you. So you don’t need FTP Client like WISE or edit wp-config.php.
crochet all day » Wish me luck, folks!
[...] I went to WordPress and downloaded the program. Easy as pie. Now it was time for the “Famous 5 Minute Install.” There was a great visual tutorial and it really was helpful…until I hit “upload.” It was going to take my FTP program (Ipswitch) any where between 3 and 4 HOURS to “git ‘er done”. WTF? So I call my ISP and ask what the deal is. Cable is supposed to be fast you morons. We do a few speed tests and discover that my computer has great numbers in the download and upload categories. According to my customer service rep, the slooow upload must be a problem with the server at my webhost. [...]
lanius
Thanks a lot – I was using so much time fiddling around with phpmyadmin before this.
pavan gothe
hi want to test the wordpress on a demo server setup on my computer with all neccesary ingrediants such as pHp, mysql and apache !. can i test before i could really load on to my webserver !
pls suggest on this!
Erin
Rachel, that was a great tutorial. I’ve never set up anything on a server in my life. I’m going to watch the tutorial again then give it a try.
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can …
Javier
Hi I’m tryieng to install this software
Simon
Hi Rachel
On page 20 of your flash-visual-installation, you write, “In your browser, go to the folder you uploaded Wordpress to. If every thing’s OK, you’ll seethis page. Click on the install.php link”
Well, when I get to the folder, all I get is this….
….any idea where I’m going wrong?
Mucho thanks! in advance, – Simon
PS – You look cute.
Simon
argh! it didn’t show up. Let me try again. (Ahem) “All I get is this…”
CHEVRON ?php
/* Short and sweet */
define(‘WP_USE_THEMES’, true);
require(‘./wp-blog-header.php’);
? CHEVRON
Rachel
Hi Simon,
Looks like you don’t have PHP on your website? Check with your host to see if you have PHP enabled.
Rachel
Simon
Dang you’re quick! …and you were right, but even though I’ve now enabled it the result is the same. Should I have to start from the beginning or something? (As you can tell I’m not tech-minded at all :[ )
Many thanks Rachel.
Rachel
Double check it’s enabled – when PHP is enabled you won’t see that text at all.
Simon
I’m fairly sure it’s enabled. I’ve refreshed the page and it does say “Enabled”, as does MySQL etc. Can I send you a screenshot? (I feel a bit guilty filling out your blog with lots of posts. :S )
Rachel
Email me with more info if you like Simon
Web Mashup
Great tutorial. Helped a lot. Re, Mashup
Michel BERNAS
Nice tutorial…
Bill Nanson
Hi Rachel,
A ‘real’ dummy’s question for you:
Can I decide not to pay the ‘one-off’ set-up fee and annual extra cost of my provider adding mySQL (I have a windows acct. with MS Access running, so no-good for wordpress) and directly install mySQL 5.0 to a directory on my site, then install wordpress(?)
Hope that makes sense.
Thanks, Bill
Rachel
Hi Bill,
Unfortunately not – it needs to be installed/enabled on the server properly.
Cheers
Rachel
Bill Nanson
oh well – another cash-out!
Thanks any Rachel
Maniac
Solid effort on the tutorial!
Noe
Hi Rachel,
As I see you have experience in wordpress installation. I was trying but I just got “Your server is running PHP version 4.0.6 but WordPress requires at least 4.1″ instead.
Do you have any idea about solution?
Thanks a lot for your help,
Noe
Rachel
Hi Noe, check out this page:
http://codex.wordpress.org/Hosting_WordPress
it explains what your web host needs to provide in order to install Wordpress. You could either ask your host for them to upgrade to a newer version of PHP or switch hosts.
Cheers
Rachel
Noe
Thanks a lot Rachel,
Johnson
Thanks for your work to help us with the installation. I just viewed the file and it looks great. I will use it and let you know how successful I was.
Thanks again Rachel
JJ
Fadzlys Hackspot » Blog Archive » Wordpress Installation (Official)
[...] Visual tutorial on how to install Wordpress (http://cre8d-design.com/blog/2006/01/19/how-to-install-wordpress-20/) [...]
Fadzlys Hackspot » Blog Archive » Wordpress Installation Part 2 (Official)
[...] Visual tutorial on how to install Wordpress (http://cre8d-design.com/blog/2006/01/19/how-to-install-wordpress-20/) [...]
Woody
Thank you thank you thank you!
Wordpress installation tweaks « chaosfilter
[...] Short version: How to install Wordpress 2.0 – http://www.cre8d-design.com/blog/2006/01/19/how-to-install-wordpress-20/ [...]