Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

How to Download WordPress Website to Localhost

If you are looking to develop or modify a WordPress website, it is essential to have a local copy of the site. This allows you to test themes and plugins without affecting the live website. In this article, we will guide you through the process of downloading a WordPress website to your localhost.

Step 1: Download and Install XAMPP

The first step is to download and install XAMPP. This software creates a local server on your computer, which enables you to run PHP and MySQL databases. You can download XAMPP for free from the official Apache Friends website, and installation is simple and quick.

Step 2: Export Your WordPress Website Database

Open the PHPMyAdmin panel from your hosting cPanel and select your WordPress website database. Then click on the "Export" tab to export the database to SQL format.

Step 3: Download the WordPress Files

Next, download the WordPress files from your hosting account to your local computer. You need to download all of the files under the public_html folder on your hosting account.

Step 4: Move WordPress Files to the Localhost

Once you have downloaded the WordPress files and extracted them, move them to the htdocs folder located in the XAMPP installation directory.

Step 5: Import Your WordPress Database

Open PHPMyAdmin on your localhost, and create a new database. Select the newly created database and click on the "Import" tab. Import the database SQL file that you exported in step 2.

Step 6: Update Your WordPress Configuration

Next, you need to update your WordPress configuration file. Open the wp-config.php and update the information as follows:

define('DB_NAME', 'your_database_name'); define('DB_USER', 'your_database_username'); define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_database_password'); define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

Step 7: Run WordPress on Localhost

Finally, open your browser and type http://localhost/yourwordpressfolder_name in the URL bar. If everything went well, you should see your WordPress website running on your localhost.

In conclusion, downloading a WordPress website to a local server can be a tedious task, but by following these steps, you can easily create a local copy of your website and avoid any mistakes that could affect your live website. Good luck!