Title: Getting started Last modified: November 17, 2018 --- # Getting started * Resolved [navcom376](https://wordpress.org/support/users/navcom376/) * (@navcom376) * [7 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/) * Ok, so I have installed WordPress, php and sql that were required. Now what??? There is no executable program and I have no idea how to get it going? This all started because I simply (haha) want to add a phone number to the contactinfo widget on my web site but has escalated to wanting to learn enough to administrate/ edit my web site. Any direction to basic operating would be helpful. Step one– start WordPress??? Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 78 total) 1 [2](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/page/2/?output_format=md) [3](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/page/3/?output_format=md) [4](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/page/4/?output_format=md) [5](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/page/5/?output_format=md) [6](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/page/6/?output_format=md) [→](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/page/2/?output_format=md) * [abletec](https://wordpress.org/support/users/abletec/) * (@abletec) * [7 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/#post-10890946) * Hello, navcom376. You don’t tell us how you installed WordPress, ie, Xampp, Mamp, a virtual box, or what? * So w/o the needed info, I’m going to make some assumptions, & you know what you do when you do that. However, try typing: [http://localhost/wordpress](http://localhost/wordpress) replacing wordpress w/whatever folder you installed it to. * Thread Starter [navcom376](https://wordpress.org/support/users/navcom376/) * (@navcom376) * [7 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/#post-10891016) * Let’s just assume that I am pretty dumb for now (I do learn quickly though). I downloaded “wordpress-4.9.8-en_CA” from the internet, created a folder called WordPress and then extracted all to that folder. So my Explorer tree looks like WordPress/Wordpress etc. I tried your suggestion (http;//wordpress/wordpress) and get “Secure Connection Failed” error. I am usually computer literate but I have not worked with php or sql before. I am able to change the graphics on my web site easily enough by simply going to the phpmyadmin panel at my ISP and replacing the jpj/png files. I am using GIMP and Inkscape to edit and manipulate these files. Easy enough. * [abletec](https://wordpress.org/support/users/abletec/) * (@abletec) * [7 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/#post-10891046) * navcom376, you’re not dumb, just a newbie. *BIG* difference! * No disrespect intended, but you didn’t exactly do what I suggested. It’s [http://localhost/wordpress/wordpress](http://localhost/wordpress/wordpress) * I think, were I you, I’d move that WordPress install up so it’s just [http://localhost/wordpress](http://localhost/wordpress) * Have you created the needed database for the site yet? How did you install PHP, MySQL, etc? * Thread Starter [navcom376](https://wordpress.org/support/users/navcom376/) * (@navcom376) * [7 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/#post-10891075) * Ok, I moved the wordpress file to the top level on my c: drive. Still getting the “Secure Connection Failed” error. If I remember right, I downloaded MySql connector/J from sourceforge. It prompted me to download and install Python and php. Does that make sense? * Thread Starter [navcom376](https://wordpress.org/support/users/navcom376/) * (@navcom376) * [7 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/#post-10891085) * The site is up and running and has been for some time. Our It person has deserted the ship and kind of left me hanging so I have decided that I will have to at least learn hoe to edit the site for general maintenance. So I guess that means that any needed databases are created and installed at my ISP servers. I am able to change graphics and some content (but not the widgets) using their phpAdmin access. * Thread Starter [navcom376](https://wordpress.org/support/users/navcom376/) * (@navcom376) * [7 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/#post-10891099) * Apologies. I was using https instead of http. Now I am getting “unable to connect– Firefox can not establish a connection to the server at localhost”. Sorry, I have to leave for a couple of hours (Saturday chores). I appreciate any direction you can give. Should I by using emails instead of the forum? * [abletec](https://wordpress.org/support/users/abletec/) * (@abletec) * [7 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/#post-10891126) * navcom376, I was actually asking if the database was created on your local machine. * Maybe you should consider [https://bitnami.com/stack/wordpress/installer](https://bitnami.com/stack/wordpress/installer) instead. It’s rather a 1-click install solution. I think it might be easier for you. Please note this is not an endorsement of any kind, either by wordpress. org forum personnel or me personally. I actually use Xampp myself, but I started doing that long before Bitnami, & it’s what I’m used to. Old dogs, new tricks, etc. See if that doesn’t help, ok? * Thread Starter [navcom376](https://wordpress.org/support/users/navcom376/) * (@navcom376) * [7 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/#post-10891130) * I will try that. Thanks. * Thread Starter [navcom376](https://wordpress.org/support/users/navcom376/) * (@navcom376) * [7 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/#post-10891369) * I downloaded bitnami-wordpress-4.9.8-2-windows-installer and installed it. I got about 15 error messages while it installed and the only option that works on it seems to be to go to the folder where it resides. I got the idea when I downloaded it that I am expected to create a blog or web site. I not want a blog and the web site is already up and running. I just want to edit the site, specifically, edit the “contactinfo” widget. I have now downloaded and installed WordPress, mySql, php, Python and bitami, and still have no idea how to start WordPress. Can anyone get a little more basic and guide me through just starting it and looking at my existing web site? * [abletec](https://wordpress.org/support/users/abletec/) * (@abletec) * [7 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/#post-10891438) * OMG, are you serious? I am *so* sorry! All this time I thought you wanted to install WordPress on your local machine. It appears all you really want to do is to work w/your website, & that is *very very* different. I have always said I failed telepathy 101. I hope someone believes me now. * To work on your website, go to: [http://www.yoursite.com/wp-admin](http://www.yoursite.com/wp-admin) Log in w/your username & password. You’ll (hopefully?) be presented w/a dashboard. Scroll down to ‘Appearance > Widgets’, then click the widget you desire. * Again, navcom376, I am *so* sorry. I could tell you I’m sick, & that would be the truth, but even more truthfully, thick is more like it. * Thread Starter [navcom376](https://wordpress.org/support/users/navcom376/) * (@navcom376) * [7 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/#post-10891456) * Actually, everywhere I have gone to get help or understanding has automatically assumed that I want to create a blog or web site. The url you recommended “[http://www.yoursite.com/wp-admin”](http://www.yoursite.com/wp-admin”); does not exist but it does lead to their home page. It seems that it is a place to build a web site, like Godaddy or something like that. I am not interested in building a web site, just maintaining one that is already up and running. The web site has been running for some years and I have had three I.T. guys quit and leave me stranded (seems to be a thing with I.T. guys – they don’t keep notes and when they leave they do not leave tracks for the next guy to follow). Each time that happens I have to pay some new person to learn my web site and that gets frustrating. I don’t think my resolution is with WordPress as the system seems way to complicated to just maintain a web site. I guess I will simply have to hire someone to teach me how to do it. Even the WordPress site assumes that I have a skill set that I do not have. If you can recommend somewhere that I can go to get a VERY basic understanding of how WordPress works I would appreciate it. Other than that I think I will call it a day. Thanks for your help. * [abletec](https://wordpress.org/support/users/abletec/) * (@abletec) * [7 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/#post-10891483) * navcom376, yoursite.com/wp-admin is not an actual address. yoursite.com is a placeholder for your actual site address, which we don’t have. Is that clearer? * [abletec](https://wordpress.org/support/users/abletec/) * (@abletec) * [7 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/#post-10891487) * BTW, vnavcom376, it would help greatly if you would please provide the url to your site. * Thread Starter [navcom376](https://wordpress.org/support/users/navcom376/) * (@navcom376) * [7 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/#post-10891505) * Yeesh, talk about thick!!! That is how little I know right now. I put my website name in (instead of “yoursite”) and, voila the user/password appeared. That is further than I have got in the last three days.Now all I have to do is get the password and at least I can start. I am feeling pretty stupid right now. My website is gsnetworks.ca – Thanks for helping the penny drop… * [abletec](https://wordpress.org/support/users/abletec/) * (@abletec) * [7 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/#post-10891528) * navcom376, if you can’t remember your password, click the ‘forgot password’ link,& you’ll be emailed a link wherein you can reset it. * I’m so glad we were able to make some progress. I think 1 of the areas of confusion is that many folks actually develop their sites on their computers, &/or test stuff, so that if things explode, they do so on your local box as opposed to your production site. Good thing! I think that’s what we thought you were trying to do. * Everyone has to start somewhere. We were all in your shoes once. I was 8 years ago. Newbie is a scary place to be. But when you admit you don’t know something, it’s the first step toward learning. Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 78 total) 1 [2](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/page/2/?output_format=md) [3](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/page/3/?output_format=md) [4](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/page/4/?output_format=md) [5](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/page/5/?output_format=md) [6](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/page/6/?output_format=md) [→](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/page/2/?output_format=md) The topic ‘Getting started’ is closed to new replies. * In: [Installing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/installation/) * 78 replies * 2 participants * Last reply from: [abletec](https://wordpress.org/support/users/abletec/) * Last activity: [7 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/getting-started-110/page/6/#post-10905395) * Status: resolved ## Topics ### Topics with no replies ### Non-support topics ### Resolved topics ### Unresolved topics ### All topics