A tutorial on how to set up localhost. I'll be using XAMPP for this.
1)
You will need to download XAMPP in order to set up localhost. To
download XAMPP, go to http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html .
Chose your operating system and download XAMPP.
2) After it's done downloading, run the file.
Installing
XAMPP should be like installing any other regular software, so just
read the on-screen instructions and click the Next button regularaly.
3) Once you're done with step 2, launch XAMPP.
A control panel will pop up. It should look something like this:
Press the 'Start' button for Apache, MySQL, and FileZilla.
Wait for them to turn green. Note:
If you have Skype opened up, close it. Skype interferes with
XAMPP, so you will have to close Skype whenever you want to work on your
localhost. AFTER you have Xampp online (all 3 modules turned green), you can re-open Skype.
4) Open up your browser and go to: http://localhost/
And then you're done!
To
upload your files, go to C:/XAMPP/htdocs . Whenever you make your file
in that folder, go to http://localhost/yourfilename.php
Enjoy.
I highly recommend using XAMPP over WAMP. XAMPP is much faster (from personal experience).