Windows installation using Git

This page is for non-technical Windows users who would like to be able to keep a copy of Moodle on their computers that they can easily and regularly update.

NOTE: These guidelines are intended for a Standard Moodle installation on a Windows PC for a private or test Moodle installation, NOT a production (public) site or service. If you wish to install Moodle on a public site using Git then please see Git for Administrators. If you wish to contribute fixes or improvements using Git please see Development: Git for developers

What you need to install Moodle on your Windows pc

1. somewhere on your pc to house it and keep it working,with a database to maintain its records. We will use WAMP server
2. the Moodle files themselves. We will use Github for Windows

What is Git and why use it?

Git allows Moodlers not only to quickly download the latest versions of Moodle but also to

Git cycle

download and test out fixes by developers and to share with others their own changes which may potentially get integrated into Moodle for the benefit of everyone. In this page we are merely going to use the system to download Moodle onto our computer- (see the cycle in yellow in the screenshot)Git makes it easy for us to update Moodle when new versions come out each week, and it gives you the potential when more familiar with it to grab other changes and help test it. However, if you merely want to have Moodle on your Windows pc to practise and try things out and are NOT really interested in having all the latest changes then it might be easier for you to use the All in one Windows Installer package instead.

Getting the WAMP server

path to your wamp folder

1. Go to Wampserver and click the Download button

2. You will probably need to click the button Wampserver (64 bits &PHP 5.3) 2.2E but to be sure, here is how to check if your pc is 64 bit or 32 bit)

3. You may get a warning You must install Visual C++ 2010 SP1 Redistributable Package x86 or x64 - download the appropriate package for you. This may take some time.

4. When it is done, come back to Wampserver and click the Download button again. Download, save and run the program, making sure you keep a note of where it has installed it on your computer. It will be in a folder called wamp. as in the screenshot to the left.

Making the database

Once wampserver is installed you will see a W icon, either on your desktop, start menu or taskbar (according to what you selected when installing.) Click it to bring up its options and then click PhpMyadmin as in Screenshot A below.

Tip: You can also reach this screen by typing into your browser: http://localhost/phpmyadmin/

1.Make sure that Server connection collation says "utf8_general_ci" (1 in Screenshot B below)

2.Click "databases" - (2 in Screenshot B below)

Screenshot A

Screenshot B

3. Type a name for your database (how about "moodle"?) Make sure you remember its name. Ensure Collation is set to utf8_general-ci. Click "Create".

4.Click the "check privileges" to the right of your database name and then click "add user".

5. Add your details as the database administrator. Make sure you remember the name and password you set. Tick (check) all privileges and save.

Getting hold of Git

1. Go to Github for Windows and click the download button (currently in green, top right)
2. You don't need to make an account but if you do, it will help you later if you wish to use Git at a more advanced level.
3. Let Windows do its work; save it and run it. It might take some time.
4. Once installed you will have two cat-like creature icons on your desktop, taskbar or start menu (depending on what you selected)
5. Click the one called "Git shell". It will bring up a black box.