Installing Joomla: Difference between revisions
From Joomla! Documentation
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Installing Joomla! for the first time is very easy. After completion of the | Installing Joomla! for the first time is very easy. After completion of the preliminary steps, setting up a hosting environment and creating a database, Joomla’s built-in web installer will set up your new site in just a few minutes. The previous steps:</translate> | ||
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It is possible to work with lower values of upload_max_filesize and post_max_size but larger extensions will fail to upload and cause unpredictable problems.</translate> | It is possible to work with lower values of upload_max_filesize and post_max_size but larger extensions will fail to upload and cause unpredictable problems.</translate> | ||
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=== Database Setup === </translate> | |||
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If you have not yet set up a database do it now. It is covered for a hosting service in the [[J4.x:Hosting_Setup|Hosting Setup]] tutorial. There is also a [[S:MyLanguage/Creating a Database for Joomla!|Creating a Database for Joomla!]] tutorial that covers localhost and phpMyAdmin methods.</translate> | |||
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You will need to note basic database information needed when the actual Joomla installation is started. | |||
* Location of database, localhost? Or a specific host's server such as <code>''dbserver1.yourhost.com''</code>? | |||
* The database name | |||
* The database user's name | |||
* The database user's password | |||
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== Prepare for Install == <!--T:9--> | == Prepare for Install == <!--T:9--> | ||
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=== Downloading and Uploading Joomla! Package Files === <!--T:10--> </translate> | === Downloading and Uploading Joomla! Package Files === <!--T:10--> </translate> | ||
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Download the current | Download the current release of Joomla! from the link on the [https://developer.joomla.org/ Joomla Home] page</translate> | ||
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Move the downloaded Joomla installation package to the server. For a hosting service you may use the cPanel File Manager Upload function or you may use an FTP Client to transfer the downloaded Joomla {{ns}} zip file to your server. There are several FTP clients available for use, here is a detailed [[wp:Comparison_of_FTP_client_software|list of FTP Clients]]. Please make sure you are using an FTP client's official release. | |||
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Normally you upload your web files to the root folder. This is typically named "public_html" but other variations include "htdocs" and this depends on how your host has the set up the server. For Joomla purposes, you can load the files directly into "public_html" or a sub-folder you have created within it.</translate>|title=<translate> | It is better to move the downloaded zip package to your server and unpack it there than to unpack it locally and then move the file tree. Normally you upload your web files to the root folder of your hosting service. This is typically named "public_html" but other variations include "htdocs" and this depends on how your host has the set up the server. For Joomla purposes, you can load the files directly into "public_html" or a sub-folder you have created within it.</translate>|title=<translate> | ||
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Your Server's "root" Folder</translate>}} | Your Server's "root" Folder</translate>}} | ||
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and then upload that folder, your site will have to be accessed at</translate> <code>''yoursitename.com/Joomla''</code> <translate> | and then upload that folder, your site will have to be accessed at</translate> <code>''yoursitename.com/Joomla''</code> <translate> | ||
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instead of</translate> <code>''yoursitename.com''</code>.}} | instead of</translate> <code>''yoursitename.com''</code>. <translate>You can rename the sub-directory from Joomla to something more site appropriate, such as jblog, and you might find that convenient. Note: directory names should be lower case, without spaces and using minus signs rather than underlines to separate words.</translate>}} | ||
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== Start Install == <!--T:22--> | == Start Install == <!--T:22--> | ||
=== Main Configuration === | === Main Configuration === | ||
Revision as of 11:11, 18 April 2022
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Introduction
Installing Joomla! for the first time is very easy. After completion of the preliminary steps, setting up a hosting environment and creating a database, Joomla’s built-in web installer will set up your new site in just a few minutes. The previous steps:
Hosting Setup
If you have not yet set up a hosting environment you need to do it now, either on a hosting service or your local computer. Read the Hosting Setup tutorial for details.
Also, there are some PHP settings that need to be sufficient for Joomla to install. The settings are usually in a php.ini or user.ini configuration file on the server. If you are on shared hosting talk to your hosting service about how to change theses settings if it is possible to do so. If working on a localhost, for example with XAMPP, or a VPS or dedicated host you should not be restricted by these settings and can set them yourself.
The values for php.ini below are suggested values only.
- memory_limit - Minimum: 64M Recommended: 128M or better
- upload_max_filesize - Minimum: 30M
- post_max_size - Minimum: 30M
- max_execution_time: Recommended: 30
It is possible to work with lower values of upload_max_filesize and post_max_size but larger extensions will fail to upload and cause unpredictable problems.
Database Setup
If you have not yet set up a database do it now. It is covered for a hosting service in the Hosting Setup tutorial. There is also a Creating a Database for Joomla! tutorial that covers localhost and phpMyAdmin methods.
You will need to note basic database information needed when the actual Joomla installation is started.
- Location of database, localhost? Or a specific host's server such as
dbserver1.yourhost.com? - The database name
- The database user's name
- The database user's password
Prepare for Install
Downloading and Uploading Joomla! Package Files
Download the current release of Joomla! from the link on the Joomla Home page
Move the downloaded Joomla installation package to the server. For a hosting service you may use the cPanel File Manager Upload function or you may use an FTP Client to transfer the downloaded Joomla 4.x zip file to your server. There are several FTP clients available for use, here is a detailed list of FTP Clients. Please make sure you are using an FTP client's official release.
It is better to move the downloaded zip package to your server and unpack it there than to unpack it locally and then move the file tree. Normally you upload your web files to the root folder of your hosting service. This is typically named "public_html" but other variations include "htdocs" and this depends on how your host has the set up the server. For Joomla purposes, you can load the files directly into "public_html" or a sub-folder you have created within it.
If you unpack the files on your own computer, then copy them to your server, be sure to move only the folders and files contained INSIDE the Joomla package. If you unpack the folders and files into a folder, for example called, Joomla and then upload that folder, your site will have to be accessed at yoursitename.com/Joomla instead of yoursitename.com. You can rename the sub-directory from Joomla to something more site appropriate, such as jblog, and you might find that convenient. Note: directory names should be lower case, without spaces and using minus signs rather than underlines to separate words.
Start Install
Main Configuration
With the above requirements met, a database created and the required Joomla files in place, you are ready to install Joomla. Start the Joomla web installer by opening your favourite browser and browsing to the site's domain name. On hosting installation you will use https://www.yoursitename.com. If your are installing Joomla locally, you will use http://localhost/<path to Joomla files> and you should see the installation screen.
Joomla will try to identify the Select Language field automatically from your browser's language. You can change this if needed.
Fill in the following information.
- Site Name: The name of your website — this can be changed at any point later in the Site Global Configuration page.
When everything on the first page is completed, click the Setup Login Data button to proceed:
Login Data
You should now see the login data screen.
Fill in the following information.
- Real Name: The name of the Super User. This how Joomla will greet you when you log in!
- Super User account username: The username for the Super User. Avoid using admin (which a good Security measure) or use My Profile in the Administration interface to change it later.
- Admin Password: Remember that Super User has maximum control of the site (frontend & backend), so try to use a difficult password. Use My Profile in the Administration interface to change it later.
- Super User Email Address: The Super User email address. Enter a valid email in case you forget your password. This is the email address where you'll receive a link to change the admin password.
When everything on the second page is completed, click the Setup Database Connection button to proceed:
Database Configuration
Configuration Settings
You will need to enter the information about the database you will use for Joomla! now. You may also read or review Creating a Database for Joomla!.
For simplification, these instructions are a reference to installing with a MySQLi database. The instructions on the installation page are self explanatory, but here they are again:
- Database Type: MySQLi is the common database used
- Hostname Where your database is located. Common is
localhost, but some hosts use a specific database server such asdbserver1.yourhost.com - Username: The username used to connect to the database
- Password: The password for the database's user
- Database Name: The name of the database
- Table Prefix: This is generated automatically and can be a helpful security step, but you can change it. For example,
jos3_can be used. Just don't forget to put the underscore character (_) at the end of the prefix. - Connection Encryption: specifies how the connection to the database should be encrypted. If you don't know - then it's best to stick to the default. However this allows enterprises that use one or two way authentication for the database connection to provide it.
All these choices and more can be edited on the Site Global Configuration page, under Server Options after the installation is completed. Note, you will break your installation if you change these settings after installation unless you have a complete copy of the current database being used by the Joomla installation. Common uses would be to update the username and password of the database or to complete a move of an existing installation to a new host with different parameters.
After you click the Install Joomla button, you should see the Joomla logo spinning. Once the installation completes, you should see the success page!
Finishing Up
Success and Finishing Up the Installation
Congratulations! Joomla! 4 is now installed. If you want to start using Joomla right way without installing extra languages there is one last step to complete the installation. You must delete the Installation Folder. Click on Remove Installation folder and a success message will appear. Now you can navigate to the Administrator Dashboard log in by clicking Complete & Open Admin or go right to your site by clicking Complete & Open Site.

You may see a section with recommended PHP settings.
- Recommended Settings: These settings are recommended in your PHP configuration, but will not prevent Joomla! from being installed. You can refer to the above instructions on how they may be changed if there is a need to do so.
Installing Extra Languages
As part of the Joomla installation process you are given the opportunity to install additional languages before you complete the installation by deleting the Installation Folder, click on:
To do this click on the Install Additional Languages button
This will take you to an extra installation page allowing you to select the languages you require.
Install Languages
A list of language packs is displayed.
Select up to 3 languages you wish to install (more than 3 at once can cause timeout issues - you can install more later).
Remember the following:
- Language packs included in custom distributions will not be listed at this stage as they are already installed.
- A version of the packs proposed will match the Joomla Major version (4.0.x, 4.1.x, etc.). The minor version of the pack may not correspond, e.g. you are installing version 4.0.3 and a 4.0.2 language pack is shown.
- Unmatched language packs in the above example may have untranslated strings.
- The unmatched language packs will be offered as an update when the packs are updated by the registered Translation teams. The available update will be shown in the Control panel as well as in Extensions Manager → Update. This behaviour is similar to Extensions Manager → Install Languages.
Click Next and a progress bar will be display while the language pack or packs are installed.
Choose Default Language
When the installation of the languages is complete you will now be presented with a very similar Congratulations! Your Joomla site is ready. screen. The difference will be a list of the installed languages allowing you to select the default language for the Site and the Administrator interface.
- Select the default language you wish to use.
- When you have selected the default language, click the Set default language button to confirm.
- A system message will be displayed confirming Joomla has set the default ADMINISTRATOR and SITE language. That message can be closed.
Finalise
You must now delete the Installation Folder. Click on Remove Installation folder. You will get a confirmation message and now can navigate to the Administrator Dashboard log in by clicking Complete & Open Admin or go right to your site by clicking Complete & Open Site.




