🐘 Configure PHP Development

Last updated: February 15, 2026

Install PHP, configure Composer, set up Laravel, and troubleshoot PHP development on Windows

Overview

Set up a complete PHP development environment on Windows with PHP 8, Composer dependency manager, Laravel framework, and Xdebug debugging.

What this helps with

What to expect: Medium difficulty • usually about 30-45 minutes.

This is one of 28 Developer Tools & Programming fixes in the WindowsHelper library. The full step-by-step fix for this is in the WindowsHelper app.

Related fixes in Developer Tools & Programming

• 🤖 Configure Android Development

  Set up Android Studio on Windows with a fast emulator, SDK tools and app signing, and fix ADB connection problems and Gradle build errors.

  Medium30-45 minutes
• 🗄️ Database Development Setup

  Set up SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL or MongoDB for development on Windows, add a database GUI, run databases in Docker and fix connection errors.

  Medium45-60 minutes
• 🐳 Configure Docker on Windows

  Install Docker Desktop with WSL 2, set resource limits, build images, run Compose projects, configure networking and fix Docker Desktop that won't start.

  Medium45-60 minutes
• 🔧 Configure Git and Version Control

  Install Git on Windows, set your identity, connect to GitHub or GitLab with SSH keys or Credential Manager, and fix SSL, line-ending and path errors.

  Medium45-60 minutes
• ⚙️ Fix VS Code Configuration

  Set up VS Code on Windows: install it, add language and Git extensions, adjust settings, fonts and themes, and customize or reset keyboard shortcuts.

  Medium45-60 minutes
• 🐍 Fix Python Development Environment

  Fix Python on Windows: see which Python runs, remove the fake python shortcut, repair PATH, fix pip, SSL and import errors, and set up virtual environments.

  Medium30-45 minutes
• 🛠️ Fix Visual Studio Installation Issues

  Fix Visual Studio installer failures, component errors, and corrupted installations. Covers repair tool, clean uninstall, offline installer, and workload management.

  Medium45-60 minutes
• 🛠️ Fix Web Development Tools

  Set up web development tools on Windows: browsers for testing, local dev servers, trusted HTTPS on localhost, CORS errors and browser DevTools.

  Medium45-60 minutes
• 🐧 Fix Windows Subsystem for Linux

  Install and fix WSL: enable the feature, add a Linux distribution, fix install errors, set WSL 2 limits, solve network and DNS problems, speed up file access.

  Medium45-60 minutes
• 🔧 .NET Framework Issues

  Fix framework SDK and runtime problems on Windows: check what is installed, install or repair the runtime an app needs, clear NuGet caches and fix build errors.

  Medium45-60 minutes

You might also run into

• 🤖 Configure Arduino and Raspberry Pi

  Connect Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP32, and other microcontrollers to Windows for programming, serial monitoring, SSH access, and IoT development.

  Medium30-45 minutes
• 🛠️ Fix Android ADB Connection Issues

  Troubleshoot Android Debug Bridge connection issues for sideloading, debugging, wireless ADB, and device management

  Hard25-40 minutes
• 🔄 Manage Windows Updates

  Install updates, troubleshoot failures, set active hours, and reset update components to keep Windows current and secure

  Medium45-60 minutes
• 💻 Development Environment Compatibility

  Fix cross-platform development problems on Windows: WSL 2, Docker Desktop, Node and Python environments, Java setup, line endings and PATH.

  Medium45-60 minutes