I don't get it

1. I downloaded ‘FreeFiles UnZip’, which is now on my desktop. I have no idea what to do with it, but it’s there.

Your step one is done.

2. I downloaded the free version of ‘MySQL’. Should this also be on my desktop? I do not know where to find this now that I have downloaded it.

You are not suppose to download Mysql database you need to create a database on your host account following the steps depending on what system your server has.

You can skip step 3 as the install program will do it for you

step 4 you upload the wordpress you downloaded in step 1
in root or a folder your choice.

step Run your install script and follow steps.

If you still having problems click on my name and I have skype live help on my site and I can walk you though your install.

Thank you for assisting.

Step 2. I will forget about MySQL then. How do I create a database for Windows 7?

See this Codex page.

Just double checking grace… are you wanting to install WP on your desktop/laptop or on a website hosted by your ISP/web host?

I want to install WP on my laptop.

There are so many tutorials and different instructions that, truthfully, between WordPress the website and WordPress the blog, I am thoroughly lost on which step to take next. If WP could develop an interactive Step-by-Step kit to get people started, I think it would be a huge success.

Are you trying to install on a Mac or PC, and which OS version do you have (Mac OS X 10.6, Windows 7, etc)?

I am trying to install on a PC, Windows 7.

Use https://www.wampserver.com/en/

Just in case here is a tutorial on installing WAMP https://www.simplehelp.net/2008/08/25/how-to-install-and-setup-apache-mysql-and-php-in-windows/
and another on installing WordPress under WAMP….
https://www.simplehelp.net/2008/08/25/how-to-install-wordpress-on-your-windows-pc/

And yet another:

https://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/12/30/install-wordpress-locally-1-of-2/

The more the merrier. ??

Thanks, everyone. All of you are saying that I can start the install process over and use one of the above ways to install WordPress? That would be a dream!!

My self I have always worked on host server and not go through hassle of setting in my computer.

The benefit is that I can work on my website from any computer and hosting is not that expensive as used be.

All of you are saying that I can start the install process over and use one of the above ways to install WordPress?

Correct.

Dear gov……I wish I could understand what you are saying. You sound like you have major experience with this. I’m trying to decipher your words, but it’s not making sense to me. I’m sorry.

IDK, but I would suggest XAMPP: https://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html#641.

If you choose it, I suggest reading the Vista problems (as a lot of Vista’s problems come pre-packaged in Windows 7. That’w what I had running after I switched to Linux): https://www.apachefriends.org/en/faq-xampp-windows.html

All you have to do is fire up PHPMyAdmin (change password via https://localhost/security), create a database, unzip WordPress into your server directory (that’s the most problematic for Windows 7 x64, as you have to force it to install in the Program Files directory, not Program Files (x86). The server root is in the ‘htdocs’ folder).

Then just go to https://localhost/wordpress (or whatever you named the folder) and it’s good to go.

Have fun ??