How to manually install Drupal 8

The simplest way to install Drupal 8 on your HostPapa server is using the Softaculous Apps Installer; however, you can also manually install the platform should you wish. Use the following steps to manually install Drupal 8.

Decide the location of your Drupal installation

In this guide, we’ll be installing the platform on a new subdomain. Your first step is to decide where you wish to install Drupal. You can choose to install the platform at the root of your main domain (e.g. www.mydrupaldomain.com), a subfolder of the domain (www.mymaindomain.com/drupal) or a subdomain (drupal.mymaindomain.com). Find out more about creating subdomains in this HostPapa knowledge base article and create the subdomain (if desired) in cPanel before proceeding.

Create a database and database user account

Next, create a new database and user account for your Drupal installation. To do so, log in to your HostPapa Dashboard and click My cPanel from the top menu.

Click the MySQL Database Wizard icon from the Databases section to proceed.

cPanel

Follow the wizard steps, which guide you through the process of creating a database. First, provide a database name.

MySQL Database Wizard

Now create a database user account, entering a Username and Password. Click Create User to proceed.

Database user

In Step 3, ensure that the ALL PRIVILEGES box is checked, then click Next Step.

User privileges

The database and user account for your Drupal installation will now be created.

Download Drupal 8

Head over to the Drupal website to download the latest version of the software. Select the tar.gz or zip archive as preferred, then extract the files on your local computer.

Drupal website

Upload the installation files

Use an FTP client or cPanel File Manager to upload the Drupal installation files to the relevant folder on your server. Find out more about uploading files with an FTP client in this HostPapa knowledge base guide or cPanel File Manager.

cPanel File Manager

Run the Drupal installer

In your web browser, navigate to the folder in which you uploaded the Drupal files (for example, https://www.mydomain.com/drupalfolder). The Drupal installation wizard should run automatically.

Drupal Installer

Follow the installation wizard steps, selecting the language and installation profile. We recommend using the Standard profile, unless you’re an advanced Drupal user.

When prompted, enter the Database name, username, and password you created earlier.

Database configuration

Drupal will now be installed.

Your final installation step is to configure the site. Enter a Site Name and email address for administration and create your admin user account. Configure your regional settings and update notifications.

Your Drupal installation is now available for full configuration.

Drupal installed

If you notice any problems or if you need any help, please open a new support ticket from your HostPapa Dashboard. More details on how to open a support ticket can be found here.

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