Install TYPO3 with XAMPP on Windows

Published on : 23 Jun 2025

Starke Brandt

TYPO3 Install

Struggling to Set Up TYPO3 on Windows? You're Not Alone.If you are new to TYPO3 or a developer using Windows, setting it up can feel hard. You may have tried to install Apache, MySQL, and PHP one by one. It’s confusing, takes a lot of time, and can be frustrating—especially when you just want to build or test a TYPO3 website quickly.

Instead of doing everything manually, you can use XAMPP. It’s a free tool that gives you Apache, MySQL, PHP, and phpMyAdmin in one simple package.

Before moving further, are you considering launching or hosting your TYPO3 site on another platform? We recommend checking out our TYPO3 Installation Series below for step-by-step guides on various platforms.

Let’s dive in and build a powerful, secure TYPO3 environment — the right way — on XAMPP.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to install TYPO3 on your Windows computer using XAMPP. Let’s get started!

What is XAMPP?

XAMPP is a free and open-source software package that provides a local web server environment for testing and development. It's designed to be easy to install and configure, allowing developers to create and test websites on their computers before deploying them to a live server. XAMPP includes Apache (the web server), MySQL (the database), PHP, and Perl.

For local development or smaller Windows-based deployments, XAMPP (Apache, MariaDB, PHP, and Perl) is a convenient bundle that simplifies installing a web stack on Windows. Running TYPO3 on XAMPP is an easy way to explore the CMS without diving into Linux.

Download XAMPP

What is TYPO3?

TYPO3 is a free, open-source Content Management System (CMS) built to help businesses and organizations create, manage, and grow their websites. It was founded in 1997 by Kasper Skårhøj and has since become one of the most popular CMS platforms—especially across Europe.

TYPO3 is written in PHP and uses TypoScript, a powerful configuration language that allows for advanced customization and flexibility. You don’t need any special software—TYPO3 runs in your browser and outputs content using standard HTML and JavaScript.

Whether you’re running a small business site, a university portal, or a large enterprise website, TYPO3 can scale to fit your needs.

Imagine an enterprise CMS that evolves as your project grows—without piling on complexity. That’s TYPO3 for you! It’s an open-source powerhouse that excels at:

here are the key reasons that TYPO3 Developers, marketers, and agencies trust TYPO3 for its:

Modularity: Make your website do exactly what you need. No more, no less.
Security & Stability: Regular LTS (Long-Term Support) releases help you stay secure for years.
Scalability: From a tiny local site to a massive global platform, TYPO3 can handle it.
Community-Driven Development: Enjoy a lively global community that refines and evolves TYPO3 continuously.

Did You Know? TYPO3 powers over 500,000+ active websites around the world!

Why use TYPO3?

TYPO3 offers advanced features like granular user roles, multisite management, and a strong ecosystem of extensions. It’s perfect for businesses and agencies that need scalability and long-term support.

Why Run TYPO3 on Windows XAMPP?

Beginner-Friendly: Double-click installers and a GUI for managing Apache/MariaDB services.
Fast Setup: No manual environment configuration—everything is pre-packaged.
Local Development: Great for testing extensions or new features in a Windows environment.
Familiar Interface: Windows users can rely on a graphical environment and Explorer for file management.

Requirements to Run TYPO3 on XAMPP

XAMPP Components:

Apache Web Server: v2.4 or later
MySQL (MariaDB): v10.3+ (TYPO3 supports MariaDB and MySQL 5.7+)
PHP: v8.1 or v8.2 (as of TYPO3 v12–13)

Recommended XAMPP version:

XAMPP 8.1.x or 8.2.x (matches PHP version compatibility with TYPO3)

TYPO3 Versions & Support Roadmap

Before diving in, note TYPO3’s release cycles:

LTS (Long-Term Support): Typically three years of updates per major release.
ELTS (Extended LTS): Paid option if you need extra time beyond standard LTS.

Staying on a currently supported LTS means you’ll get important security patches and feature improvements.

View Roadmap

TYPO3 Version & PHP Compatibility for Composer Install

1. PHP & TYPO3 Compatibility

TYPO3 Version	PHP Versions	Status
9 ELTS	7.2–7.4	Active ELTS
10 ELTS	7.2–7.4	Active ELTS
11 ELTS	7.4, 8.0	Active ELTS
12 LTS	8.1–8.4	Active ELTS
13 LTS	8.2–8.4	Active ELTS

2. System Requirements

Web Server: Apache or Nginx
Database: MariaDB/MySQL recommended
Composer: Recommended for a smoother TYPO3 experience

Always verify with TYPO3’s official System requirements to ensure you’re up to date.

Architecture of XAMPP & TYPO3

How to install TYPO3 on XAMPP

Step 1. Download & Install XAMPP

Download from the official XAMPP website.
Install to C:/xampp (default).
Launch XAMPP Control Panel and start Apache and MySQL (MariaDB).

Step 2. Create Database & User

Open http:// localhost /phpmyadmin in your browser.
Click Databases → Create typo3db.
Go to User Accounts → Add user typo3user with password supersecret.
Grant all privileges on typo3db.

Step 3. PHP Settings

XAMPP usually includes the needed extensions (mbstring, gd, intl, etc.). If any are missing:

Edit C:/xampp/php/php.ini and enable or uncomment lines like extension=mbstring, etc.
Restart Apache in the XAMPP Control Panel.

Step 4. Obtain TYPO3

Classic (Zip) Method is easiest on Windows:

Download the latest TYPO3 zip.
Extract to C:/xampp/htdocs/typo3cms.
Ensure all files are placed correctly under typo3cms.

Step 5. Access TYPO3 Installer

Go to http:// localhost /typo3cms /public (adjust if your folder structure differs):

The Install Wizard appears.
Database host is usually localhost; db name: typo3db; user: typo3user; pass: supersecret
Create admin user.
Login to the backend at http:// localhost /typo3cms/ public /typo3.

How to Start TYPO3 Installation Wizard

Once all server configurations are complete, it’s time to finish the setup through the TYPO3 Installation Wizard. This user-friendly, step-by-step wizard helps you finalize the installation process directly in your browser.

Step 1. Check the System Environment (detect if any issues)

TYPO3 will scan your server for required PHP extensions, folder permissions, and system settings. Fix any issues listed before proceeding,

Step 2. Setup Your Database Credentials

Enter the database name, username, and password you created earlier. TYPO3 will use this to store your content and configurations.

Step 3. Choose an Existing Database or Create a New

Select an existing empty database or let TYPO3 create a new one for you.

Step 4. Create backend user & Site

Set up the backend administrator account. Make sure to choose a secure password—you’ll use this to log into the TYPO3 dashboard.

Step 5. Installation Process Start

Define your site name and initial setup options. You can also choose to load a distribution or start with a blank site.

You did it! Now you have a running TYPO3 site on XAMPP.

Step 6. Get Start with Backend Login

TYPO3 will complete the setup and redirect you to the backend login page.

DevOps Tips for Running TYPO3 on XAMPP

1. Use the Right XAMPP Version

Match PHP versions with your TYPO3 version (e.g., PHP 8.1 for TYPO3 v12).
Stick to a stable XAMPP build—avoid beta versions for serious TYPO3 work.
Regularly update XAMPP to get PHP security patches and performance boosts.

2. Use Virtual Hosts Instead of localhost/folder

Create a named VirtualHost like typo3.local for cleaner URLs and realistic project structure.
Update your httpd-vhosts.conf and hosts file

3. Disable Caching During Development

Use config.system.maintainanceMode = 1 in LocalConfiguration.php for testing.
Add this in AdditionalConfiguration.php to ease development:

4. Keep the Environment Clean

Regularly clear:
/var/cache/
/typo3temp/

Conclusion

XAMPP on Windows offers a quick and user-friendly approach to testing or developing TYPO3. Though not always ideal for high-traffic production sites, it’s an excellent local environment. Once comfortable with TYPO3, you can migrate to a more robust server setup if needed.

Happy TYPO3ing on XAMPP!

FAQ

It bundles Apache, PHP, MariaDB, and config for you—no need to tweak multiple components separately.

Yes. Create additional folders in htdocs and separate databases.

For local dev, you can edit C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts to map a domain (e.g., typo3.local) to 127.0.0.1.

XAMPP supports SSL, but setting up certificates locally can be tricky. Typically, this is more for local dev than production.

Yes, you can install Composer for Windows. Then run composer create-project ... in the htdocs directory.

For the classic method, download the new zip, replace core files, and run the upgrade wizard in the Install Tool.

Generally no. XAMPP is designed for local development or small-scale internal use. Production environments typically use Linux or a more robust Windows Server setup.

Typically in C:/xampp/apache/logs/.