How to install MediaWiki in 11 Steps

MediaWiki is a Wiki software licensed under GPL and written in PHP. Wiki allows users to easily add and edit content in a collaborative way. Wikipedia for example is one of the most popular Wiki's based on MediaWiki.

Below you find the necessary steps for installing MediaWiki.

  1. Download & install PHP 5.1.2 Installer. The installer creates a folder named c\:php
  2. Download PHP 5.1.2 zip package and extract all files in the folder c\:php
  3. Edit the php.ini file that resides in C:\Windows
    1. Change the extension directory: extension_dir = "c:/php/ext/"
    2. uncomment mysql extension: extension = php_mysql.dll
  4. Download & install MySQL 4.1.16 (Windows (X86)).
  5. Create a virtual directory under IIS called phpmyadmin (e.g. c:/inetpub/wwwroot/phpmyadmin)
    1. Add the entry index.php in the documents tab. iisdocuments
  6. Download the latest phpMyAdmin and extract all files under the virtual directory of phpmyadmin.
  7. Edit the file config.default.php that resides in the phpmyadmin folder.
    1. Change the root password of MySQL.
  8. Browse to http://localhost/phpmyadmin phpmyadmin
  9. Create a virtual directory under IIS called mediawiki (e.g. c:/inetpub/wwwroot/mediawiki)
    1. Add the entry index.php in the documents tab.
  10. Download the latest MediaWiki and extract all files under the virtual directory of mediawiki
  11. Browse to http://localhost/mediawiki & Configure.
    1. Add the line: $wgEnableUploads = true in the LocalSettings.php to enable uploads mediawiki

Warning

After installation you will notice that some pages give a warning, namely: Undefined index: REQUEST_URI in C:InetpubwwwrootmediawikiincludesWebRequest This is a known issue and can be fixed.