1: Download the QuickStart Package

Go to typo3.org to get the quickstart.zip package.

2: Unzip package on your web server

In my case I have a local Apache web server running. The web root directory is in c:\apache\htdocs - this is where I'll unzip the package (this is the same location as the installer package uses).

3: Start your webbrowser

Go the the URL where you unzipped the files:

In a brief second you will see this screen:

... but quickly you are directed to this screen (below) where you enter your database username, password and localhost.

4: Database username, password and host

In my case no username and password were needed (which is of course not very secure :-)

5: Create database

Then enter a name for your database. In my case "t3_quickstart" is selected. I always prefix TYPO3 databases with "t3_". That is nice if you have many different databases.

6: Dump database content

The final step is to "dump" some content into the database. A new database like "t3_quickstart" contains nothing of course - this step will put in a lot of information for our example website, e.g. users, pages, content etc.

If you see the "GO" become red now it means you are finished! Congratulations!

Well, let’s check if it actually works now. There are two things to check - the frontend and the backend.

(Read on in the section "Check the installation" after the "Installation B" chapter.)

Go to the package page on typo3.org and download the "WAMP - quickstart" Installer (thanks Ingmar) which contains the QuickStart website. The download is 28+ MB but worth it in terms of the trouble you save compared to installing on existing webservers - at least if you are here for a quick'n'dirty test of TYPO3!

1: Download installer

Click the download link, go for a bag of sweet candy in your nearby store and when you are back you will see this:

Click the "Open" button to start the installer.

2: Agree with the GPL License!

Then press "Agree" on the license screen. Notice that for once you can (probably) do this with perfect conscience since the GPL actually allows you to receive, copy, modify and distribute TYPO3 freely as long as the same rights to do so is passed on to the next recipient. The basic principle of GPL is that software stays free! (And that includes any modification / addition you make to TYPO3!). So just pass it on to your friends!

3: Options

Next... next... next...

TYPO3 installs itself in your start menu!

Probably you will accept this unless you have something else in this folder:

4: File copying

Then the thousands of files related to Apache, MySQL, PHP and TYPO3 are uncompressed to your hard disc. This takes a couple of minutes.

Errors? If in the process you encounter an error like the one below (a file with a special name that cannot be written) most likely you can just ignore it. I know it sounds a little odd to document stuff like this, but... :-)

5: Finished

After installing the files you are finished with the installation:

The final installation in "c:\apache" takes up approximately 140 MB of disc space and includes thousands of files. This is not all TYPO3 - remember both Apache, MySQL and PHP was installed...

In the START menu of Windows you can now find TYPO3 installed:

6: Start servers

Before you can play with TYPO3 start the two servers; "start MySQL" and "start Webserver".

When you start the web server (Apache) you will see an old DOS window. Don't close this window - it must be open, otherwise the web server will just shut down again. You can minimize it of course.

Next time you start your computer and want to work with TYPO3 you will have to start the web server again. MySQL has been installed as a service (has a little traffic-light icon in the task bar) and will be running already.

7: Hit your web browser

Type in "http://localhost/" and you should see this screen:

If you see this it means you are finished! Congratulations!

Well, let’s check if it actually works now. There are two things to check - the frontend and the backend.

(Read on in the next section "Check the installation")

Check the frontend

The frontend is a term for the website TYPO3 generates. This is what your visitors will see - this is the product TYPO3 creates for you! The frontend should now be visible at the original URL you typed in (In my case it was http://localhost/quickstart/). You should see this screen after a second:

You can click the links in the menu to the left to explore the pages on the website.

Check the backend

The backend is a term for the administration interface you use to manage the website content in the frontend. In the backend you edit and create pages and content. The backend is normally accessible from the subdirectory "typo3/" of the installation. So try to type in "typo3/" after ".../quickstart/":

Log in

Now, type in the username "admin" and the password "password":

TIP: Make sure that cookies are enabled in your webbrowser! If you have disabled cookies you cannot login!

If you typed the correct username and password the screen will show you this:

Now, for the second time - and this time I really mean it - congratulations! TYPO3 has been installed, the frontend is working and the backend has let you in. You are ready to play around.

Please note that this stepwise guide to installation only took you through the most basic requirements and is designed to get you quickly started for testing and development purposes. When you need to install and configure TYPO3 for production environments or serious development you must read and understand the background issues described in the document Installation and Upgrade of Typo3. Further there is a mailing list and archive for seeking help on installation issues.