Hey guys! So, you're looking to get PHP running on your Windows Server 2019? Awesome! This guide is going to walk you through the whole process, step by step, so you can get your PHP applications up and running smoothly. We'll cover everything from downloading the necessary files to configuring your server to play nicely with PHP. Let's dive in!

Preparing Your Windows Server 2019

Before we even think about PHP, we need to make sure your Windows Server 2019 is ready to roll. This means ensuring you have the Web Server (IIS) role installed and configured correctly. IIS, or Internet Information Services, is Microsoft's web server, and it's what will be serving your PHP pages to the world (or just your local network, depending on your setup!). Installing and setting up IIS correctly is critical for ensuring that PHP can function properly, allowing your web applications to execute server-side code and interact with web browsers effectively. Neglecting this step can lead to various issues down the line, such as PHP not being recognized by the server or encountering errors when trying to process PHP scripts. Therefore, it is essential to dedicate sufficient time and attention to properly installing and configuring IIS before proceeding with the PHP installation. This foundational step lays the groundwork for a smooth and successful PHP integration with your Windows Server 2019 environment. Furthermore, familiarizing yourself with the basic functionalities and settings of IIS will empower you to troubleshoot any potential problems that may arise during or after the PHP installation, ensuring the long-term stability and performance of your web applications.

1. Open Server Manager: If it doesn't pop up automatically, search for "Server Manager" in the Start Menu.
2. Add Roles and Features: In Server Manager, click "Add roles and features". This will launch a wizard that will guide you through the process of adding the necessary components to your server.
3. Role-based or Feature-based Installation: Choose "Role-based or feature-based installation" and click "Next". This option allows you to select specific roles and features that you want to install on the server.
4. Select your Server: Select your server from the server pool and click "Next". Ensure that you are selecting the correct server if you are managing multiple servers from Server Manager.
5. Select Web Server (IIS) Role: In the "Select server roles" page, find "Web Server (IIS)" and check the box. When prompted to add features required for Web Server (IIS), click "Add Features". This will automatically select the necessary features that are required for the proper functioning of IIS.
6. Features: On the "Select features" page, you can leave the default selections. However, it's a good idea to review the available features and select any that you think might be useful for your web applications. Some common features that you might want to consider include .NET Framework features, ASP.NET, and Management Tools.
7. Web Server Role (IIS): This page provides an overview of the Web Server (IIS) role. Read the information provided and click "Next" to continue.
8. Role Services: This is where you configure the specific features of IIS that you want to install. Ensure that the following role services are selected:
   • Common HTTP Features: This includes features like Static Content, Default Document, Directory Browsing, HTTP Errors, and HTTP Redirection.
   • Health and Diagnostics: This includes features like HTTP Logging, Request Monitor, and Tracing.
   • Performance: This includes features like Static Content Compression and Dynamic Content Compression.
   • Security: This includes features like Request Filtering and Basic Authentication. You may also want to consider enabling Windows Authentication if you are using Active Directory.
   • Application Development: Ensure that CGI is selected. This is crucial for running PHP! Also, consider other options like ASP.NET if you plan to use them.
   • Management Tools: This includes features like IIS Management Console and IIS 6 Management Compatibility. These tools provide a graphical interface for managing IIS and configuring its settings.
9. Confirmation: Review your selections and click "Install". The installation process will begin, and you can monitor its progress on the screen. Once the installation is complete, click "Close".

Once IIS is installed, you can verify that it is working correctly by opening a web browser and navigating to http://localhost. You should see the default IIS welcome page. If you don't see the welcome page, check your IIS configuration and make sure that the web server is running properly. This initial setup confirms that the core web server components are functioning as expected, setting the stage for the subsequent PHP installation and configuration. Successfully displaying the default IIS welcome page is a positive indication that the server is correctly configured to handle HTTP requests, providing a solid foundation for deploying and running web applications on your Windows Server 2019 environment. This verification step is essential for ensuring that the underlying infrastructure is properly set up before proceeding with more complex configurations.

Downloading PHP

Alright, with IIS set up, it's time to grab the PHP goodies! Head over to the official PHP downloads page (https://windows.php.net/) and find the latest non-thread-safe version of PHP for Windows. The non-thread-safe version is typically recommended for IIS because it's designed to work with the FastCGI process manager, which is what we'll be using. The non-thread-safe (NTS) version of PHP is specifically designed to work with web servers like IIS in a multithreaded environment. Unlike the thread-safe (TS) version, which provides its own thread safety mechanisms, the NTS version relies on the web server to handle thread safety. This makes it more efficient and performant in scenarios where the web server already provides robust thread management capabilities. Choosing the correct version is crucial because using the wrong one can lead to compatibility issues and performance problems. Therefore, it is essential to carefully select the NTS version when deploying PHP on IIS to ensure optimal performance and stability. Pay close attention to the architecture (x64 or x86) and download the zip file that matches your server's architecture. Downloading the appropriate PHP version ensures compatibility with your server's architecture and prevents potential issues related to mismatched binaries. Using the correct architecture (x64 for 64-bit systems, x86 for 32-bit systems) is essential for the proper functioning of PHP and its extensions. Mismatched architectures can lead to errors, crashes, and other unpredictable behavior. Therefore, it is crucial to verify your server's architecture and download the corresponding PHP version to avoid such problems.

Extracting PHP

Once the download is complete, extract the contents of the zip file to a directory on your server. A common location is C:\php. Feel free to choose a different location, but make sure you remember it, as you'll need it later. Extracting PHP to a dedicated directory ensures that the PHP files are organized and easily accessible for configuration and management. Creating a specific directory, such as C:\php, helps to keep the PHP installation separate from other system files and applications, preventing potential conflicts and simplifying maintenance tasks. It also makes it easier to update or uninstall PHP in the future without affecting other parts of the system. Therefore, it is recommended to extract the PHP files to a dedicated directory to maintain a clean and organized server environment. This practice promotes better manageability and reduces the risk of encountering issues related to file conflicts or dependencies. Furthermore, using a dedicated directory allows you to easily identify and manage the PHP-related files, making it simpler to configure PHP extensions and customize the PHP environment according to your specific needs.

Configuring PHP

Now comes the fun part: configuring PHP! In your PHP directory (e.g., C:\php), you'll find two important files: php.ini-development and php.ini-production. Copy either one and rename it to php.ini. Choosing between php.ini-development and php.ini-production depends on your environment. The php.ini-development file is pre-configured with settings that are suitable for development environments, such as displaying error messages and enabling debugging features. These settings can be helpful for identifying and resolving issues during the development process. On the other hand, the php.ini-production file is pre-configured with settings that are optimized for production environments, such as disabling error display and enabling performance-enhancing features. These settings are designed to ensure the stability and security of the production environment. Therefore, it is important to choose the appropriate php.ini file based on the intended use of the PHP installation. If you are setting up a development environment, use php.ini-development. If you are setting up a production environment, use php.ini-production.

Open the php.ini file in a text editor (like Notepad) and make the following changes:

1. Uncomment extension_dir: Search for `extension_dir =