How to create htaccess file on windows

For whatever reason, if you need to create a .htaccess file for your Apache or any other web server in a windows environment then here is the step-by-step guide. There are few ways to create a .htaccess file but here I will try to show you one of the easiest and quickest ways.

If you just try to rename a text file to .htaccess then you will get an error saying “you must type a file name”. Instead follow the steps below.

• Open your favorite text editor program like Notepad.
• Make sure “Word Wrap” is unchecked under “Format”.
• Put your directives that you want to put or just leave it blank if you wish to add them later.
• Go to “File” and click “Save As”.
• When the save box pops up type .htaccess (don’t forget the dot) under “File name”.
• Under “Save as type”, choose “All Files” and click “Save”.

You’re done. Now, if you want to open the file and edit it, just find the file and open by selecting a program, for example notepad. Once you’re done editing just click “Save”.

When you upload the file to your web server, make sure you upload in ASCII mode. I will write more on how to take advantage of .htaccess file in my future posts. In the meantime if you want to learn more about .htaccess then htaccesstools.com is a good read.

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