how to create subdomains in apache(xampp) server?

Question

I've trying to create subdomain in my local xampp installation for some time. I tried editing my httpd.conf file and I entered the following:

NameVirtualHost *:80

<VirtualHost *:80>
DocumentRoot /ecommerce
ServerName ecomm.localhost
</VirtualHost>

I also edited my windows hosts file and entered: 127.0.0.1 ecomm.localhost

But when I type 'ecomm.localhost' in my firefox it gives me: Access forbidden!!! Can please anybody help me out? What exactly I'm doing wrong? I'm fairly new to this. I simply want to create multiple folders in my 'htdocs' folder and use them as different websites with subdomain. For example: c:\xampp\htdocs\mainSite -----> mainSite.com or mainSite.localhost c:\xampp\htdocs\subSite -----> subSite.mainSite.com or subSite.mainSite.localhost

Answer 1

Try this :

NameVirtualHost 127.0.0.1:80
<VirtualHost *:80>
<Directory "C:\path\to\ecommerce">
    Options FollowSymLinks Indexes
    AllowOverride All
    Order deny,allow
    allow from All
</Directory>
ServerName ecomm.localhost
ServerAlias www.ecomm.localhost
DocumentRoot "C:\path\to\ecommerce"
</VirtualHost>

Yes you edited your hosts file correctly.

Answer 2

In addition to atabak's answer:

Go to Apache > Conf > Extra -> "httpd-vhosts.conf" file and add:

<VirtualHost *:80>
DocumentRoot "C:/xampp/htdocs/subdomain"
ServerName subdomain.localhost.com
</VirtualHost>

Go to C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc -> "hosts" file and add:

127.0.0.1 subdomain.localhost

from Setting Up Multiple Subdomains Using Xampp /

Answer 3

In xampp\apache\conf\extra\httpd-vhosts.conf file add these line at the bottom of the file for subdomain support :

<VirtualHost *:80>
   DocumentRoot "C:/xampp/htdocs/sandbox"
   ServerName sandbox.localhost.com
</VirtualHost> 

Then in C:\windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts file add these line at the bottom of the file :

127.0.0.1    sandbox.localhost.com

After that re-start the xampp server and open a new tab, write in the address bar

sandbox.localhost.com

Then you will see the output of index.php file which was in the sandbox folder

Answer 4

This worked for me. Paste at the bottom of the httpd-vhost.conf file at xampp > Apache > Conf > Extra. Make sure not to comment any vitualhost tag you're adding or you get "Attempting to start Apache" error when you restart server.. foodporch is the name of my subdomain

<VirtualHost *:80>
    DocumentRoot "c:/xampp/htdocs"
    ServerName localhost
    <Directory  "c:/xampp/htdocs">
       Require all granted
    </Directory>
</VirtualHost>

<VirtualHost *:80>
    DocumentRoot "c:/xampp/htdocs/foodporch"
    ServerName foodporch.localhost
    <Directory  "c:/xampp/htdocs/foodporch">
        Options Indexes FollowSymLinks
        AllowOverride All
        Require all granted
    </Directory>
</VirtualHost>

Remember to add this line to end of host file at C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc -> 127.0.0.1 foodporch.localhost.com