Instant WordPress is a portable WordPress development environment which makes it easy to test themes, plugins and more on any modern Windows PC (XP or later).
To get started, just run the download file and it'll extract its various components into your preferred folder. Currently this includes WordPress, Apache, PHP and MySQL, but don't worry, they're all portable and won't otherwise install anything else on your PC.
Launch Instant WordPress and a simple console points you in the right direction. Click "WordPress Admin" to launch WordPress itself, for instance. You can open your Plugins and Themes folders in a click, and administer your MySQL setup, while clicking WordPress Frontpage will display your dummy site. There are even built-in posts and comments so you can get a feel for the look of a new theme right away.
One issue here is that, although Instant WordPress is regularly updated with new versions of its components, they're always going to be a little out of date. And the Instant WordPress developers themselves point out that the program "is not suitable for live websites and should only be used for testing and development".
Still, if you'd like an easier way to test a WordPress setup - or maybe you're a total WordPress beginner and want to get a basic feel for how it all works - then Instant WordPress is perfectly adequate, and well worth the download.
Instant WordPress Version 4.5 contains the following software (Changelog):
- WordPress 4.2.4 (Updated)
- Apache 2.2.15 (Win32)
- PHP 5.4.36
- MySQL 5.6.25 (Updated)
Verdict:
A quick and easy way to create your very own WordPress test and development environment
Your Comments & Opinion
Create and run a blog, personal or complex business site with this full-featured content management system
Create and run a blog, personal or complex business site with this full-featured content management system
An official WordPress app to manage your site or blog
The world's most popular messaging app for smartphones
Install WordPress on your desktop
A powerful, portable Notepad replacement
A powerful, portable Notepad replacement
An intelligent free cross-platform editor for developers
Easily create responsive websites, no design skills required.
Easily create responsive websites, no design skills required.