Install php 5.x in Windows IIS

Although php works perfect in Linux, for a lot of people, developing or debugging the php program in their Windows PC or Laptop is still something making sense, at least for me.

Below is a guide about how to install php 5.x in IIS in case you have the same needs as me.

1. First, you need to go to http://www.php.net/downloads.php to download the installation package you will need. Usually, it’s a Zip package.
2. Unzip the .zip file to a folder you want, we assume it’s c:\php in below case.
3. Add “;c:\php;c:\php\ext” to the end of environment variable “PATH”.
4. Rename php.ini-recommended in c:\php to php.ini.
5. Open php.ini and make below changes:
   • set extenseion_dir to “c:\php\ext”, such as extension_dir = “c:\php\ext”
   • Remove ‘;’ before below 3 items:
     extension=php_mbstring.dll
     extension=php_gd2.dll
     extension=php_mysql.dll
6. In IIS service, web site (Default Web Site)
   • Right click the web site, and select “Property”.
   • In “Home Directory” tab -> “Configuration …” Button -> “Add” Button to add Application Extension Mapping. Below is what we need to input:
     Execuation: C:\php\php5isapi.dll
     Extension: .php
   • In “ISAPI Filter” tab -> “Add” button to add new filter properties as
     Execuation: C:\php\php5isapi.dll
     Extension: php
7. Restart IIS