# How to Install PHP 8.3 on Windows 10/11

## What is PHP?

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessors) is an open-source server-side scripting language that many devs use for web development. It is also a general-purpose language that you can use to make lots of projects, including Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs).  
So, PHP is a Back-End Programming.

PHP was created by Rasmus Lerdorf in 1993 and released in 1995.  
Now the latest version is PHP 8.3.1, I recommend you use the latest version of PHP, because so many versions of PHP are [EOL](https://versionhistory.net/php/).

PHP runs on Zend Engine, like NodeJS run on V8 JavaScript Engine.  
If you're want to use PHP as Server-side, there are many the Databases and Webservers recommended for PHP.

In this article I only install PHP as a command line scripting 🗿.

### What's Databases are Recommended for PHP?

Retrieved from [https://www.php.net/manual/en/refs.database.vendors.php](https://www.php.net/manual/en/refs.database.vendors.php), these are the databases that recommend for PHP:

1. MySQL
    
2. PostgreSQL
    
3. Oracle
    
4. SQLite, etc.
    

### Best Webservers for PHP

Retrieved from [Best Web Servers for PHP Development - RedAlkemi](https://www.redalkemi.com/blog/best-web-servers-for-php-development), these are the best webservers for PHP:

1. **Apache** is a popular web server that supports the use of PHP. It can be installed on a variety of operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows.
    
2. **NGINX** is another popular web server that supports the use of PHP. It is known for its high performance and low resource usage, which makes it a good choice for high-traffic websites.
    
3. **Microsoft IIS (Internet Information Services)** is a web server that is included with the Windows operating system. It supports the use of PHP and is a good choice for applications that are hosted on a Windows server.
    
4. **LiteSpeed** is a commercial web server that supports the use of PHP. High-traffic environments often use it because of its high performance.
    

## How to Install PHP on Windows 10/11

First, visit [https://www.php.net/downloads.php](https://www.php.net/downloads.php) and select Windows downloads with version 8.3.0.

Since I'm running PHP only on the command line, I'll use the Non Thread Safe type, and choose the .zip format.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1703214783658/5ecc4075-3b04-4ca9-a192-6aca3a5a8786.png align="center")

You might be wondering why there are Thread Safe and Non Thread Safe options, [what-is-thread-safe-or-non-thread-safe-in-php](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1623914/what-is-thread-safe-or-non-thread-safe-in-php). Most communities use Non Thread Safe, because its fast, less bugs, and more secure.

Open file explorer and extract .zip file.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1703218678540/2ddf3a81-ddf1-4730-a85d-8be9eb51ae28.png align="center")

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1703220188385/21156150-f976-43f8-be54-7cc4d9fd3bbd.png align="center")

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1703223211924/82996b78-2255-4321-aa59-a467d6b2e865.png align="center")

If you open the terminal right now and type `php --version`, there must be an error 😅.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1703219837250/11756b6b-902d-4482-87dc-3834cb2d7e68.png align="center")

Because we have not set the PATH Environment Variable of this PHP folder.  
What is it? the PATH Environment Variable is **a set of directories where executable programs are located.** For simple, it allows the execution of commands.

Now copy the address of the folder.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1703218436113/6fa685e3-fed1-4837-8f36-8ad894b65367.png align="center")

Then click on Windows start menu and search "edit the system environment variables" or just "env" and click it.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1703219425036/7ba14fba-b6a3-4da8-9b60-779e53f19249.png align="center")

Click "Environment Variables...".

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1703226161876/56ab3700-da63-4c20-8a8b-dce28be602b9.png align="center")

Go to the "System variables", then select "path" option and double-click it.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1703226548053/96a46af4-b4db-422d-8893-dd97fc5dfd28.png align="center")

Select "New" and paste it from the PHP folder that I'm explained above. Then click OK three times 🗿.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1703226790266/60e5b528-013f-46e5-92f9-4d73cd5e8e19.png align="center")

Okay, now open your favourite terminal, type `php --version`

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1703227157154/9f17b25c-3dfa-4c5c-9418-7aa26bea5726.png align="center")

You have successfully installed PHP on your Windows 10/11 machine.

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Because I'm still new to blogging, please advise and criticize if there are mistakes in words, thank you.