If you already have MySQL installed, you can continue to the next page.
If you are installing over a previous version of MySQL, I'd recommend backing up your database and un-installing MySQL Server.
Installing MySQL is fairly straight forward. If you are
First you should download the latest stable release of MySQL. The Windows Essentials version is what I would recommend if you don't already have a preference. This version contains an installer that both installs and configures your MySQL server.
http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/
Below are the steps as they flow in the current MySQL 5.0 Windows Essensials installer. Don't feel like you have to follow these steps exactly if there are options that would be better for you. Use this as a general guide.
1. Launch the installer and choose the Complete option.
2. Click Install.
3. You may be prompted to sign up at MySQL.com. This is not necessary and you can opt to skip this step.
4. Installation has been complete and now it's time to configure your server. Check the configure box and click next.
5. Select Detailed Configuration and click Next.
6. At this point, you can select what type of server best represents your system, but since I am aiming this article towards a development environment, I will select Development Machine. Click Next.
7. Select Multifunctional Database. Click Next
8. This is where you can select the drive for the InnoDB data file. Again, since this is a development environment we should be OK with the default install path. Click Next.
9. You can choose the number of connections you would like to restrict your server to. The first option, Decision Support, is recommended for 20 concurrent connections. Click Next.
10. By default, the standard character set will be selected. I recommend checking Multilingual Support which will make the UTF8 character set the default. This will ensure that most multi-byte characters, such as those from Japanese and Chinese character sets, will store properly in the database. Click Next.
11. Install MySQL as a service and check or un-check the box to launch the service automatically based on your preference. I'd recommend checking the box to add the Bin directory to your Windows Path as it will be easier if you ever want to access MySQL binaries from the command line. Click Next.
12. Now all there is left to do is Click Execute.
The configuration should finish up and MySQL should now be up and running on your system.
