{"id":162099,"date":"2017-01-23T13:00:40","date_gmt":"2017-01-23T13:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/premium.wpmudev.org\/blog\/?p=162099"},"modified":"2017-01-23T02:06:12","modified_gmt":"2017-01-23T02:06:12","slug":"development-environment-desktopserver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/development-environment-desktopserver\/","title":{"rendered":"DesktopServer: How to Set Up the Easiest Development Environment for WordPress"},"content":{"rendered":"

Setting up WordPress in a localhost environment can save you a ton of time if you frequently test\u00a0new designs and go bug hunting, but with its super easy 5 minute setup, DesktopServer definitely tops that.<\/p>\n

Its quick setup time makes it a winner for seasoned developers who want to get a new site up and running quickly, but it’s also perfect for beginners thanks to its intuitive user experience.<\/p>\n

I don’t always test locally, but when I do, I use DesktopServer.\u00a0Even if you prefer using XAMPP<\/a>, WAMP<\/a> or MAMP<\/a> or testing on a live site, DesktopServer could become your new go-to for local development.<\/p>\n

Today, I’ll show you how you can quickly set up DesktopServer for the local development of single installs of WordPress. I’ll also show you how to upgrade to the premium version and install a Multisite network, import your live site, then deploy your site lickety-split.<\/p>\n

What is DesktopServer?<\/h2>\n

DesktopServer is a program created by ServerPress<\/a> that you can install on your Mac or PC to create\u00a0WordPress websites on your computer without online website hosting.<\/p>\n

When you create a new installation of WordPress with this software, a virtual server is created on your computer. The new site you create operates without requiring access to the internet and can only be accessed from your computer.<\/p>\n

You can develop and test your site privately without having to worry about interrupting your visitors with downtime should an error occur.<\/p>\n

The best part is that setting up the software takes mere minutes and it takes even less time to install a new WordPress site. In a few clicks, it’s all set up and you can access it through your browser with a custom, fictional\u00a0domain and .dev<\/em> TLD such as your-site.dev<\/em><\/p>\n

The free version lets you create up to three new single installations of WordPress in a few clicks, while the premium version includes Multisite and supports importing your site, direct deployment to your live server and many more features. You can also create as many WordPress sites or networks as your computer’s storage space permits.<\/p>\n

Installing Desktop Server<\/h2>\n

To get started with DesktopServer, go to the ServerPress website<\/a> and click Download<\/strong> at the top of the page or the Get Started for Free<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n

\n
\"The
Download DesktopPress from the ServerPress website.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

On the next page, scroll down toward the bottom and choose either a premium or free license. If you choose the premium option, you can check out and download the software with all the bells and whistles included.<\/p>\n

I’m going to choose the free license for now and upgrade later.<\/p>\n

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\"DesktopServer
Choose your license and download DesktopServer onto your computer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

After clicking the Free\u00a0\u2013 Add to Cart<\/strong> button, checkout. Keep in mind that you won’t be charged anything and you also aren’t going to need to enter any payment information. All you need to enter is your basic information such as your name and email so that you can access your free account later to download DesktopServer again in case you reformatted your computer or replaced it altogether.<\/p>\n

Finish by clicking the Purchase<\/strong> button and you can download a copy of DesktopServer from there by clicking on the link for the latest version that correlates to the operating software you use.<\/p>\n

After you download a copy to your computer, DesktopServer installs just like any other program. For Windows, be sure to uncompress the ZIP file and run the installer that’s included in the unpacked folder.<\/p>\n

Once you start going through the installation wizard, you’re asked to choose the type of installation you want. Choose New DesktopServer Installation<\/strong>, then click Continue<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n
\"The
Choose the free version of DesktopServer and continue the installation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The installation process continues after that and when it’s done, click Finish<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Creating a Local a WordPress Site<\/h2>\n

Locate DesktopServer on your computer and open it to create your first virtual server and WordPress site. You can find DesktopServer in the Applications > XAMPP<\/strong> folder for Macs and the xampplite<\/strong> folder in your Program Files<\/strong> for Windows.<\/p>\n

On the first screen, be sure to keep the Yes. Restart DesktopServer with privileges<\/strong> option selected, then click Next<\/strong>. DesktopServer needs to run with administrator permissions in order to create a virtual server.<\/p>\n

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\"Wizard
Start DesktopServer with administrator privileges to create a WordPress installation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

On a Mac, you need to confirm this by entering your computer’s password. On Windows, you should see a prompt asking you if you meant to give administrator privileges and you can click Yes<\/strong> to continue.<\/p>\n

On the next screen, start Apache and MySQL by leaving the default setting selected once again. Click Next<\/strong> to continue to the final stretch of the WordPress installation process.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that if you’re using a public or unsecured WiFi connection, you should turn on your computer’s firewall if it’s not already enabled. This helps ensure privacy and security while you work on your site.<\/p>\n

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\"DesktopServer
Select the option to start Apache and MySQL.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

It takes a minute for the virtual server to be created, but when it’s complete, click Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You should see a familiar screen, but instead of choosing the first option this time around, choose\u00a0Create a new development website<\/strong>,\u00a0then click\u00a0\u2013 you guessed it\u00a0\u2013 the Next<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n

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\"Wizard
Click the Next<\/strong> button to create a new WordPress installation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Enter a name for your site. It can be anything, but it does help to choose something descriptive so you can easily distinguish each of your test sites.<\/p>\n

If you decide you don’t want to install WordPress, you can click the WordPress version field to select a blank site. I’m going to choose a WordPress installation. If you don’t see the latest version in the field, don’t worry because you can update your site once the installation is complete.<\/p>\n

You can optionally click browse to choose another location for your site on your computer. Otherwise, click Create<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\"Wizard
Enter a fictional domain for your site along with a path on your computer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

After about a minute, your site should be created and you can click the Next<\/strong> button when you see “Done!” displayed.<\/p>\n

Click the link that appears. It directs to the WordPress install script for your new local site.<\/p>\n

\n
\"The
Finish by running through the WordPress install script.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Your site should load in your browser where you can finish the WordPress installation as you normally would. Choose a language, click Continue<\/strong>, then enter your site’s name, username, password and email. Click Install WordPress<\/strong> to finish creating your local site.<\/p>\n

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\"WordPress
Install WordPress and you’re set to start testing locally.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The setup is complete. Log in if you’re not already redirected to your admin dashboard and start testing on your local site.<\/p>\n

Upgrading for Multisite<\/h2>\n

Since the free version of DesktopServer doesn’t come with Multisite support, I’m going to upgrade to premium so I can create a network.<\/p>\n

To upgrade, go back to the ServerPress<\/a> website and click the Download<\/strong> button toward the top of the page as described earlier. Select the premium licence option and checkout.<\/p>\n

Enter your information and when the process has completed, go to Account > Your Account<\/strong> in the menu. Click on the Downloads<\/strong> tab and find DesktopServer Premium<\/strong> on the list. Click on the latest version for the operating software you have and download it to your computer.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Download
Download DesktopServer premium and run the installer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

For Windows, uncompress the ZIP folder and run the installer. The upgrade process is the same as outlined above, except for one difference.<\/p>\n

Close DesktopServer if it’s open and when you’re asked to choose your type of installation, choose the Upgrade DesktopServer<\/strong> option, then click Continue<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\"Install
Choose the upgrade option and finish the installation process.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

When the upgrade has completed, click Finish<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Installing a Multisite Network<\/h2>\n

Open DesktopServer and run through the site setup wizard as described above. You may notice there are a few more options available once you start Apache and MySQL.<\/p>\n

Select Create a new development website<\/strong>, then click Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n
\"DesktopServer
Choose the option to create a new development website.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The options here are similar to the free version. Fill in the fields as described earlier and also be sure to select the Allow Multisite Network<\/strong> option, then click Create<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that if you want a sub-domain install, you should omit the www.<\/code> portion of the domain in the configuration.Otherwise, your site URLs would look similar to site1.www.example.dev<\/em> and site2.www.example.dev<\/em>. If you’re okay with that, then you can leave the domain as is in the settings.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Install
Choose to allow Multisite and click Create<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

When you see the “Done!” message, click Next<\/strong>. On the next screen, click the link to open your browser to run the WordPress install script. Follow the same steps as outlined above for a single installation of WordPress.<\/p>\n

Once you reach the admin dashboard of your new local development site, go to Tools > Network Setup<\/strong> and choose a sub-domain or sub-directory install, enter a title and administrator email for your network, then click Install<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\"The
Install the Multisite Network as you normally would.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

When the next page is displayed that includes code to add to your wp-config.php<\/em> and .htaccess<\/em> files, go\u00a0to your computer files and locate your site in the directory that’s displayed on the Multisite network setup page.<\/p>\n

Edit your wp.config.php<\/em> and .htaccess<\/em> files as described, then save the files.<\/p>\n

If you don’t see your .htaccess<\/em> file in the indicated folder, you need to dig into your computer’s settings so that all file types appear.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Network
You can locate the files you need to edit by looking in the path displayed on the Enabling the Network<\/strong> page.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Once your files are edited, you can go back to your local Multisite, refresh the page and log in.<\/p>\n

Now, your new local Multisite network is all set up and ready to go.<\/p>\n

Accessing All Your Sites and Database<\/h2>\n

You can access a list of all your sites, their admin dashboards and databases through DesktopServer. Start it up and choose the Yes. Restart DesktopServer with privileges<\/strong> option, then click Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Choose Yes. Restart Apache and MySQL services<\/strong> and click Next<\/strong> on the next screen. Click the Sites<\/strong> button on the bottom left-hand corner of the window.<\/p>\n

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\"DesktopServer
Click on Sites<\/strong> to access all your local WordPress websites that you previously created.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Your browser should open with a list of your sites and buttons you can click to access your admin dashboard, database and front end for each of your sites.<\/p>\n

Every time you need to access your local WordPress site to continue working on it, this is how you can find them. You won’t be able to access them in your browser without running DesktopServer first.<\/p>\n

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\"DesktopServer
You can access a list of your local sites through DesktopServer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Importing your Live Site<\/h2>\n

If you have a premium DesktopServer license, you’re able to import your live site to your local one. If you have a free license, you can use Snapshot Pro<\/a> to import your site by creating a backup of your live site, then restoring it on your local WordPress installation. This also works if you have a premium DesktopServer license as well.<\/p>\n

With the premium version of DesktopServer, you can import your live site by first exporting it with plugins such as:<\/p>\n