Apache Friends Support Forum

I've installed XAMPP, localhost status says it's working okay but when I run php files they launch in IE and then swiftly close and I am prompted by a 'View Downloads' Windows dialogue box asking if I'd like to open the file or save it. I last looked at web development in the early part of the century and was okay with old school html but am struggling a little here. Hopefully this isn't the same old question you guys get week in, week out. Thanks in advance for any help

edit: same result when php file is in htdocs under xampp heirarchy or when using the run command with notepad++ using IE.

What are you typing in your browser's address bar to 'run' a php file?

A php file must be parsed by the server so it needs to be a URI address in your browser, for example:
http://localhost/your-file.php if your-file.php is in the htdocs folder.

After installing XAMPP to test all is working including php you should type
http://localhost/
in your browser and then exercise all the demos.
Please read readme_en.txt file in the C:\xampp folder.