How to Fix Broken Project Links in WAMP Server Using Virtual Hosts?

Resolving Project Link Issues on Wamp Server

If you're encountering broken project links despite setting up Wamp Server and disabling IIS, there's a solution to ensure your links function properly.

Implementing Virtual Hosts for Project Links

In the past, WampServer allowed you to create subfolders within the wampwww folder for your projects, which would then appear as links on the WampServer homepage. However, this method is outdated for real website development as it results in specific configuration issues that can cause problems when moving your site to a live server.

To address this, WampServer now strongly encourages creating Virtual Hosts for each project, even if they are held within a subfolder structure. Virtual Hosts provide a more accurate representation of how your site will behave on a live server, ensuring consistency and preventing issues during deployment.

Creating a Virtual Host in WampServer

To create a Virtual Host for your project:

1. Open the WampManager: Locate the WampServer icon in the system tray and click on it. In the menu, select "Tools" and then "Add a Virtual Host."

2. Fill in the Virtual Host Settings: In the following window, specify the following parameters for your Virtual Host:

   • Virtual Host Name: Choose a name for your Virtual Host, such as "project1.dev."
   • Document Root: Browse to and select the directory where your project's files are located.
   • Port: Leave as default "8080."
3. Save and Restart: Click the "OK" button to save the Virtual Host configuration. WampServer will restart the DNS cache and Apache service.

Edit Windows HOSTS File

Once the Virtual Host is created, you need to update Windows' HOSTS file to associate your Virtual Host name with your local loopback address (127.0.0.1).

Open the HOSTS file located at C:WindowsSystem32driversetchosts and add the following line:

127.0.0.1 project1.dev

Launch and Verify the Virtual Host

Access your Virtual Host by typing "project1.dev" in your browser's address bar. The link should now open your project correctly. If the link is still broken, check the following:

• Ensure that the Virtual Host configuration is set up correctly and matches your project's location.
• Verify that the Windows HOSTS file entry is present and accurate.
• Restart Apache and the DNS cache if necessary.

By creating Virtual Hosts for your projects in WampServer, you ensure that your project links work consistently and accurately, both locally and when deployed to a live server.

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