# Install MyBB - Open Source Forum Software - on Windows

## What is MyBB?

> MyBB is the free and open source forum software powering thousands of engaging, vibrant, and unique communities across the internet. - https://mybb.com/

## Installation

1. Download XAMPP Download
2. Download MyBB Download
3. Download Microsoft Visual C++ Download
4. Install Microsoft Visual C++
5. Right click the downloaded XAMPP .zip file > Extract All...
6. Right click the downloaded MyBB .zip file > Extract All...
7. Navigate into the extracted mybb folder structure
8. Rename the Upload directory to mybb
9. Cut the mybb folder inside the extracted XAMPP/htdocs directory
10. Copy the extracted XAMPP directory to a safe location to run from, C:\Program Files for example
11. Run XAMPP/setup_xampp.bat to update the configuration files with the new server location
12. Run XAMPP/xampp-control.exe
13. Click the Start button next to Apache and MySQL
14. Navigate to XAMPP/mysql/bin
15. Hold the SHIFT key and right click in the white space > Open PowerShell window here...
16. Type the following in the PowerShell window to setup the MyBB database
    .\mysql -u root
    CREATE DATABASE mybb;
    GRANT ALL ON mybb.* TO 'mybb_rw'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'My44_rw$';
    FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
    EXIT;
    exit

## MyBB Web Installer

1. Open a web browser and navigate to http://DNSorIP/mybb
2. Click Next at the Welcome screen
3. Click Next at the License Agreement
4. Click Next at the Requirements Check
5. Complete the Database Configuration as shown below

   Database Engine: MySQL Improved
   Database Server Hostname: localhost
   Database Username: mybb_rw
   Database Password: My44_rw$
   Database Name: mybb
   Table Prefix: mybb_

6. Click Next after the table creation completes
7. Click Next to complete the Table Population
8. Click Next at the Theme Insertion screen
9. Modify the Board Configuration form as needed > Click Next
10. Create an administrator account by entering a Username, Password and Email Address > Click Next
11. Click the Admin Control Panel link
12. Login with the administrator username and password created earlier
13. Welcome to MyBB

Source: https://docs.mybb.com/1.8/install/