Joomla Tips #8 : Enabling SEF on Windows using Apache server

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Written by Editor (cowboy)

Friday, 15 December 2006

This is a quick tip for all Joomla developers whose developing on Windows using Apache server. I've been trying to figure out how to make Joomla SEF work on Windows environment and finally got it after some googling.

This involves modification to Apache's http.conf:

Copy htaccess.txt to .htaccess (Windows Explorer won't let you rename it, so you'll need to do this on DOS prompt mode)
Go to Joomla admin >> Site >> Global Configuration >> SEO tab and click "yes" to "Search Engine Friendly URLs".
Find your Apache installation directory and go to conf directory and edit httpd.conf.
If you don't have the following entries below, just add it and save.

<Directory />
Options FollowSymLinks
AllowOverride All
</Directory>
Restart Apache and that's it!

Comments (3)

Didn't work for me... : decioy

I have a standard xamps install, and I copied my website from the host using joomlapack. Everything work fine if I delete the .htaccess file and turn off SEF. I tried your tip, but putting the .htaccess file back gives me the same 500 error. It work ok in my shared host.

February 5, 2007

as opposed to editing your : chadness : http://www.technoadvice.com

To clarify that a little bit, the part you really need is the AllowOverride All line - that's what enables .htaccess files in Apache. The Options FollowSymlinks line is actually included in the .htaccess file of a default Joomla install.

Also, note that you might need to edit the htaccess file, especially if you are using a 3rd party SEF component or your Joomla installation is not in the root directory of your web server. Notes are in the htaccess file for what you need to do.

March 6, 2007

you need more ... : maia