Using Virtual Folders with Windows, XAMPP, and Apache
Windows, servers, and browsers handle file paths differently, which can lead to some confusion. Here’s how we’ve addressed these challenges here at our studio, especially when working with local servers on XAMPP and different virtual machines or disks.
1. File Organization
We don’t store at all our development files on C:\ . This drive is strictly for Windows and the system. All projects and files are located on virtual disks or machines, resulting in paths like \\SRV-124\folders rather than usually X:\folders.
2. Setting Up a Mapped Drive (Windows)
To make Windows understand correctly these paths, we map our network drives. It's easy and fast. For that, just open a terminal (CMD, PowerShell, or the terminal in VSC) and type:
net use X: "\\SRV-124\folders"
Now, Windows will recognize X:\ as the location for the files located on \\SRV-124\folders. Once you’re done with your work, when ever you need, you can unmap the drive, using :
net use X: /d
3. Configuring XAMPP for using Virtual Disks outside of C:\
Step 1: Update Apache Configuration
Edit the httpd.conf file of XAMPP located at:
C:\xampp\apache\conf\httpd.conf
You can also edit this file directly by clicking the Edit button next to Apache in the XAMPP Control Panel dashboard.
Add this line at the end of the file:
Include "C:/xampp/alias/*"
This allows you to include custom alias files for each project, making it easier to manage multiple setups without constantly editing httpd.conf.
The term alias is arbitrary, but it is descriptive and meaningful. At our studio, we chose to place this folder at the root of XAMPP, which allows us to maintain multiple separate XAMPP instances, each with its own set of projects.
Step 2: Create an Alias Folder
Create a folder named alias at the root of your XAMPP directory. Inside this folder, you can now add individual .conf files for each project.
4. Creating a New Project Alias
Step 1: Create the Project Folder
Before configuring the alias, ensure you have the project folder ready. For example, for a project named foo:
- Create the folder at the root of your mapped drive or server path:
X:\foo\
- Or, if using a network path:
\\SRV-124\foo\
Step 2: Configure the Alias
The configuration for your alias depends on the version of Apache you’re using. This step is critical because the syntax differs slightly between Apache 2.2 and Apache 2.4+.
You first need to create a file with the same name as your project folder (e.g., foo.conf) and place it inside the alias folder. Depending on your Apache version, this file will need to be filled out differently:
For Apache 2.2:
Alias /foo/ "X:/foo/"
<Directory "X:/foo">
Options Indexes FollowSymLinks MultiViews ExecCGI
AllowOverride All
Order allow,deny
Allow from all
</Directory>
For Apache 2.4+:
Alias /foo/ "X:/foo/"
<Directory "X:/foo">
Options Indexes FollowSymLinks MultiViews ExecCGI
AllowOverride All
Require all granted
</Directory>
Note that <Directory "\\SRV-124\folders"> can also be used, but then it's up to your prefs and habits.
5. Restart XAMPP
Once the alias is created and the configuration file is in place, restart XAMPP. This allows Apache to recognize the alias.
6. Final Test
You can now access your project by visiting the following URL in your browser:
http://localhost/foo/
This setup ensures that your project files are accessible in Dreamweaver, VSC, and any browser. At our studio, this method has worked flawlessly, with all related files, resources, and previews functioning as expected in within DW.
Could you please test it and let us know, thanks.
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