How to Create an EXE File for Your PHP Website

If you’re a web developer and want to package your PHP website as a standalone application, creating an EXE file can be a practical solution. This process enables you to run your PHP website locally on Windows without requiring a web server like Apache or Nginx. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this using tools like PHPDesktop, ExeOutput for PHP, or Bambalam PHP EXE Compiler.

To package a PHP website as an EXE file, you can use tools like PHPDesktop, ExeOutput for PHP, or Bambalam PHP EXE Compiler. These tools allow you to run your PHP website locally on Windows without needing a web server. By following a step-by-step guide, you can easily create a standalone application for your web development projects. This process is particularly useful for web developers who want to distribute their applications without dependencies on external servers or hosting environments.

Why Create an EXE from a PHP Website?

1. Portability: You can run your PHP website on any Windows machine without needing a web server.
2. Offline Access: It’s perfect for applications that need to be run offline.
3. Ease of Deployment: You don’t need to worry about setting up a local server for your website; just launch the EXE and everything runs as expected.

Let’s go through the most common methods for converting a PHP website into an EXE file.

Method 1: Using PHPDesktop

What is PHPDesktop?

PHPDesktop is an open-source project that lets you package a PHP website into a native Windows application. It includes a Chromium-based browser and an embedded web server, so all you need to do is provide your PHP code, and PHPDesktop will turn it into an EXE.

Steps to Create an EXE Using PHPDesktop:

1. Download PHPDesktop: Go to the official PHPDesktop GitHub page and download the latest version. Extract the files to a folder on your computer.
2. Prepare Your Website:

• Copy your entire PHP website (including all files and folders) into the www folder inside the PHPDesktop directory.
• Make sure you have your index.php file set up as the main entry point of your application.

1. Configure PHPDesktop:

• Open the settings.json file inside the PHPDesktop folder and configure the following options:
  • "url": "http://localhost/index.php" – Point to your main entry file.
  • Adjust other settings like window size, application name, etc., as per your requirements.

1. Create the EXE:

• Simply run the phpdesktop-chrome.exe file from the PHPDesktop folder.
• The PHPDesktop window should open, displaying your PHP website.

1. Packaging the EXE:

• You can use third-party tools like Inno Setup or NSIS to create an installer for your EXE, which can help bundle your PHP website with any dependencies required.

1. Test Your EXE:

• After creating the EXE, test it on a clean Windows machine to ensure it works without needing a separate server.

Method 2: Using ExeOutput for PHP

What is ExeOutput for PHP?

ExeOutput for PHP is a commercial tool that allows you to convert PHP websites into standalone EXE applications. It has an easy-to-use GUI that can quickly turn your project into an EXE file.

Steps to Create an EXE Using ExeOutput for PHP:

1. Download and Install ExeOutput for PHP:

• Visit the ExeOutput website and purchase or download the trial version. Install it on your machine.

1. Create a New Project:

• Open ExeOutput for PHP, and select File > New Project.
• Choose the folder where your PHP website is located.

1. Configure Settings:

• Set up basic project details like window size, application title, and icons.
• You can also configure advanced settings like adding custom PHP extensions or including a MySQL database.

1. Compile the EXE:

• Click Build to start the process. ExeOutput for PHP will bundle your PHP website into an EXE file.

1. Test and Package:

• Once the EXE is created, test it to make sure everything works as expected. You can also package the EXE into an installer for easy distribution.

Method 3: Using Bambalam PHP EXE Compiler

What is Bambalam PHP EXE Compiler?

Bambalam PHP EXE Compiler is another tool that allows you to create an EXE file from your PHP code. It’s a lightweight, straightforward tool for Windows.

Steps to Create an EXE Using Bambalam PHP EXE Compiler:

1. Download and Install Bambalam PHP EXE Compiler:

• Visit Bambalam’s official site and download the latest version. Install it on your computer.

1. Prepare Your PHP Website:

• Place your PHP website in a folder. Ensure all dependencies, such as libraries and configuration files, are included.

1. Compile Your Website:

• Open the Bambalam PHP EXE Compiler and select the folder that contains your PHP website.
• Click on Compile to generate the EXE file.

1. Test the EXE:

• Once the EXE is created, test it to make sure the application runs correctly without the need for a web server.

Final Considerations

1. Performance: Running a PHP website as an EXE may be slower than running it on a dedicated web server because it uses an embedded server in the background.
2. Security: Be aware that your PHP source code will be bundled inside the EXE file. While this can help prevent casual users from accessing your code, determined users might still be able to extract it.
3. Dependencies: Make sure all dependencies, such as external libraries or MySQL databases, are included in your EXE package or are installed on the target system.

Conclusion

Creating an EXE from your PHP website can be a great way to distribute your application in a portable format for Windows users. Whether you choose PHPDesktop, ExeOutput for PHP, or Bambalam PHP EXE Compiler, the process can be relatively simple and straightforward.

Once your EXE is ready, you can deploy your PHP website as a standalone application, perfect for offline use, local testing, or distributing applications without worrying about web server configurations.