Install MediaWiki on Windows Server 2012

From Cheeky Factor

Status: Resolved
Publication date: 2018-04-07
Last edited by: Garyf
Last updated: 2023 - 09 - 3

The problem

So, I was asked to install MediaWiki on a Windows Server 2012 R2. This example shows you to install when using the server with a GUI.

You can transfer the files using your control panel if you don’t have a GUI, and in theory it should also work the same with a Linux based operating system.

The resolution

Please note: cheekyfactor.com or the owners of this site cannot be held responsible if things go wrong. You perform these tasks at your own risk.


Device: Server
Operating system: Windows
Software: WAMP

Guidance for Server, Windows, WAMP

Download the latest version of MediaWiki from MediaWiki.org. If you are using Semantic MediaWiki as well check to see which version the latest version of Semantic MediaWiki requires to run.

Open the .tar.gz file in your software of choice that uncompresses the files, I use 7 Zip on Windows:

MediaWiki tarball in 7Zip
MediaWiki tarball in 7Zip

Open the folder in 7 Zip, and highlight all the folders and files:

MediaWiki files in 7Zip
MediaWiki files in 7Zip

Click on the ellipsis (three dots) and navigate to where you want to install the Wiki, you may need to create a folder, this will generally be in the WAMP folder or VAR if you are using Linux.

MediaWiki extract location selection
MediaWiki extract location selection

Click OK:

MediaWiki extraction location
MediaWiki extraction location

and OK

MediaWiki extracted files
MediaWiki extracted files

in your browser navigate to the wiki, in this instance localhost/wiki

MediaWiki installer page 1
MediaWiki installer page 1

Open a new tab and go to phpMyAdmin:

phpMyAdmin login Windows Server 2012
phpMyAdmin login Windows Server 2012

Login

phpMyAdmin dashboard Windows Server 2012
phpMyAdmin dashboard Windows Server 2012

Click on new:

Create a new database phpMyAdmin Windows Server 2012
Create a new database phpMyAdmin Windows Server 2012

Enter a name and click on create:

Database creation Windows Server 2012
Database creation Windows Server 2012

Go back to the Wiki installer and click on complete the installation:

MediaWiki installer language selection
MediaWiki installer language selection

Click continue

MediaWiki environment checks
MediaWiki environment checks

Click continue:

MediaWiki install database connection screen
MediaWiki install database connection screen

If you need to change anything do so, and click continue:

Update the database settings for MediaWiki install
Update the database settings for MediaWiki install

Change if you need to and click continue:

MediaWiki install set up Wiki details
MediaWiki install set up Wiki details

Complete the details and hit continue:

MediaWiki install extension selection
MediaWiki install extension selection

Complete the details, I am making it so users have to have accounts to add content, no license footer, enable emails, enable all all the extensions and file uploads, and for now Vector as the skin, click continue:

MediaWiki installation, advising you to click continue to install
MediaWiki installation

Click continue:

MediaWiki installs
MediaWiki installs

Click continue:

MediaWiki install - LocalSettings.php creation
MediaWiki install - LocalSettings.php creation

The LocalSettings.php file will download, once it is downloaded transfer it to the root of the Wiki:

MediaWiki install move LocalSettings.php to the root of the Wiki
MediaWiki install move LocalSettings.php to the root of the Wiki

In your browser navigate to your domain name, in this case localhost/wiki:

MediaWiki default home page
MediaWiki default home page

Installation is complete.